Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-12-07


tho Merchants Exchange. in the city Of Now
York, on the s5,h ul... for the purpose of taking
into consideration the propriety Of eHecting re-
form in the present rates Of postage by the esta-
blishment Of cheap and uniform systssn. Cux-
It's BoLroS, Esq. presided, assisted by several
vice presidents.
MIR. PARK BENJAMIN proposed the annexed me-
mortal to Congress, which gavc rise to some dis
cussion as to the expediency Of requiring the
abolition Of the ranking privilege exercised by
members Of Congress. But the memorial was
ultimately adopted by the meeting.
Several gentlemen addressed the meeting, and
depicted the many Inconvenience and Injuries
which the present postage system inflicts on all
ranks, professions, and pursuits throughout the
entire country.
To tie Senate and House If Representatives Of tie
United States.
The undersigned, citizens and payers of postage,
respectfully represent
1. That the rates Of postage now imposed by
the Government are exorh.tant, oppressive 10 the
people, and calculated to defsa, their avowed oh.
yect of making the Post Office Department pay
its own expenses.
thorized and exercised, is unjust, unequal, anti
republican, and ought to be utterly abolished, ex-
cept as it may be expedient to allow il to cover
Tie strictly official correspondence of de Post
Office Department itself. -
3. That not ont-third of the correspondence OF
me Inc, country now pays postage in the mails, nor
Will it until the rates Of postage are greatly re-
duced, and the franking privilege abolished.
A. That uniform charge OF fue cents in ad-
vance on each letter weighing not more than half
an ounce, and Of five cents additional on every
halt ounce thereafter for all distances, would af-
ford at least as much revenue, and be vastly more
beneficial to the public, than the present exorbi-
| tant rates.
| 8. That the present arbitrary, capricious, and
excessive charges on the conveyance of printed
matter, ether than newspapers, in the mails. seem
directly calculated to drive away custom from
the Department, when its plain interest should
lead it to court and attract business, as all of MS
are obliged to do if we would live by it. We
would, therefore, request the adoption Of uni
form rate Of postage OF one half cent on every
newspaper, periodical, or printed sheet, conveyed
in the mail, when the postage is paid in advance,
and double that sum each sheet which NAV be
SO conveyed when it is not so paid in advance.
| +. That the reduction of our rates Of postage
to sums computed, and payable in the federal
currency OF this Union, is demanded by just
regard 10 national character, no less than TO the
obvious convenience Of the people.
/ Z. That the penal enactments and denuncia
lions by which it is sought to compel the people
TO support the Post Office when their own interes
and convenience may be better subseryed withou
it, are absurd, tyrannicai, inefficient for any good
purpose, and ought to be abolished.
wherefore, we entreat your honorable bodies
to take early, decided, and efficient measures fo
the relief of the people from the bu,dcns under
which they have long groaned, and which threat
en- the destruction of the utility and soivency o
the Post Office by the total withdrawal of the
public confidence and patronage.