The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-11-26
Post once Reform-The Movement Com
menced.

New York, sunday, NOVEMBER 30, 1880.
Post once ReForm-The Movement Com
menced.
The common sense and intelligence of the people
are generay-we do not know that we would err
in saving are always-n advance of legislation
Assuredy with respect TO the management of that
important branch of the public business, the Post
Office Department, the intelligence of the people is
far in advance of the body towhom has been en-
trusted the work Of legislation. Here we have a
system inefficient, oppressive, inconvenient, and
unJust-one with which the whole mass OF the
people are properly dissatsfed-and yet, instead OF
any approximation to submission to the popular
judgment, our Legislators have been resisting with
might and main all efforts 10 effect modihcalon
and reform of the system; and the officials imme-
diatey connected with a. exhibit themselves at tins
moment In the most hostile attitude 10 the reform
movement according 10 the ''use and won't of all
functionaries who appear TO regard hint of I'M
provement in the mode Of conducting their bus-
ness as demonstration Of impending personal
danger, 10 be met and resisted at all hazards.
But in this affair." as in all Others, the good sense
OF the people must prevail The movement has
now fairly commenced. The meeting at the Ex-
change yesterday, OF which a very full report is
presented in our columns to-day, strikes the first
blow at the present oppressive and inefficient sys-
TEN. twill be Immediately followed up all over
the country, and the agitation will be conducted
with very little discretion indeed, if, before the ex
piratlon of the approaching Congressional ses-
sion, we do not obtain good, efficient equt-
able post Office system. In this, however, as
IN all popular movements for reform, is all impor-
tant that the true ground, in all its breadth, be
taken at the outset. This is happily, in the pre-
sent case, very easily discovered. A uniform low
rate OF postage-the abolition of the ranking prvi
lege-and the introduction of the cash principle,
requiring all letters, newspapers, periodicals, and
packages transmitted in the mails, to be prepaid
and increased speed in the transmission of the
mais-these are the plain and easily understood
features of the reform contemplated. 1t is really
amusing to examine the objections urged against
this reform by the Postmaster General and others.
His lamentations about the falling off of the reve-
nues are ridiculous How can il be otherwisel 1t
betrays an entire ignorance of the principles which
govern and effect express any surprise that
under the present eXorbitant rates of letter postage,
and the slow speed of the mails, the revenue has
fallen OIL. But let an opposite course be adopted,
and Congress enact equitable rate of postage,
with such powers to control the rate of speed as
may enable the Postmaster General to compete
with private enterprise, and the Department will
command the whole trade of carrying letters, while
the increase of correspondence will produce a vast
increase of revenue. If any doubt exists of the
correctness of this theory what is to be feared
from the experiment! No doubt can exist that if
the rates of postage are reduced to the lowest
scale, and the speed and regularity of the mails
secured TO the community, and loss in
consequence accrues to the post Office revenue,
the Postmaster General has only to apply to Con-
gress for grant, and none would more cordially be
assented to than that which would supply the va
cum caused by measure that so vastly tends to
increase the business and extend the commercial
interests of our country But there no danger of
this. The experiment will meet with the same tri-
umphant success which has crowned it in Great
Britain.
We have advocated this reform for years. We
are glad TO it at last taken up by the people
Let "young America" give its aid 10 the move
ment. One of the best proofs of the popularity of
that new party in the State is the fact that every
body now begins to look TO it matter of cause,
as the originator and promoter of every necessary
reform. And it will not be found wanting, or we
greatly mistaken.