Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-11-29

Try pays Postage in the Mss will !, eHn the Rates
OF Postage are greatly reduced and the Frunhins Privilege
abolished:
T. That uniform charge OF fee e,nt.; in advance.
each letter weighing thsn halt ounce and OF
five cents additional half thereafter. for
sdstances, would afford At least much revenue, and be
vastly more beneficial To the Public than the
bitant rates:
s. That present arbitrary, capreious and excessive
charges the conveyance Of printed matter other than
newspaper the mails directly calculated drive
away custom from the Department. when its plain interest
should lead and business all Of
obliged TO do II would live by it, We would therefore
request the adoption of uniform Of Postage OF
hall cent on every newspaper periodical printed sheet
conveyed in the MAIL when ho postage paid in advance,
and double that sum each sheet conveyed when IL is
paid in advance.
&. That the reduction OF Rates OF Postage
computed and Psysbe the Federal Currency OF this Union
Is demanded by Just regard National character less
than to the obvious convenience ct the People.
.. That the penal ensctments and denunciations by
which Is sought 10 compel the People support the Post
Office, when their interest and convenience be
better subscrved without 1t, absurd wraunical ineiei
cnt for any coed purpose and ought to be abolished.
Wherefore, W. entreat your honorable bodies to take
early, decided and efficient Tor the relief OF the
People from the burdens under which they have long groan
ed and which threaten the destruction OF the utility and
solvency OF the Post Office, by the withdrawal Of the
public confidence and patronage.
A discussion followed, rs TO the policy Of asking
the abolition of the franking privileges but the
resolutions and petitions finally adopted with
the understanding, that Congress might do us they
please about the Thanking privilege, provided they
would consent To- such modification of the law us
will render the postage system less unjust and OPP
pressiyc.
We heartily concur in the general objects of this
notwithstanding the present postage duty the
most unreasonable, unfair and iniquitous eNaction
OF the citizen on the part of the Government. II
there was any fairness and justice in the rates. in
former years, when transportation Diff
cult and dearer, there is none now, when the
charges for transportation 50 per cent cheaper.
We trust the people of this city, and of every
county in the State, will get up petitions and pour
them in upon Congress. Ii will require vast eI.
hibition OF popular feeling the subject to get
Congress TO act. The members of that body
are too well content with the present provisions
OF the Post Office law, to interfere willingly.
They can now at least do, by little stretching
of the law, send by mail, under the Thanking pri.
vilege, whole wardrobe. Their patriotism will
prompt them 10 smother any movement calcula-
ted to infringe upon this dear privilege. We fear
therefore, that the New York resolutions, notwith.
standing their political disclaimer. will produce
feeling of ineNingushable hostility 10 any modi.
hcation of the law. IL the matter is touched at
all, the many abuses and the gross injustice of the
ranking privilege. must come under review, and
they cannot stand the test of examination. To /.
prevent that the whole matter will probably be
referred TO Committee, with the understanding. /
that 1t shall sleep the sleep of DEATH Many an .
important measure has shared this fate. ere this. /
The only alternative for the people, is to asi. |
e--dgHdte-send petition after petition, and /
show their Representatives that they are in ear
nest, in demanding modification OF the existing |
Post Office Laws.