The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-08

senaves Of the people to settle, are, whether the
present amount Of mail service is greater than the
country requires' Ii greater can it be perform
cd At less expense! Whether al the same less ex-
pense shall il be paid out of the Treasury or by the
postage on mail matter?
II Congress shall enter upon the question Of re-
ducton OF postage upon the principle svowed by the
advocates OF the British REFORM viz of preserving
II not improving the amount of revenue and shall re-
qure the Post Office Department to maintain Itself
the information which hope to have ready by the
LIST January, Of the number Of letters posted will be
important.
By a comparison between the business and popula-
ton and extent Of territory Of the two Governments
and comparison between the number of letters post
ed in both countries, under the respective rates. an
estimate of the probable increase Of posted letters In
this country upon pro rata reduction Of postage
may be made and that rate Of postage may be ascer
tanned, which will give the amount required to de-
fray the expenses Of the mail system OF the United
States.
IT, however it shall be the pleasure of Congress to
follow the example Of the British Government, by
placing the expenditures of the Department as
nual charge upon the public Treasury and by bring
ing to the aid of that Treasury whatever of postage
may collected the report OF the number of letters
which now pass through the mail, can be of little
consequence.
This change of system will simplify the operations
Of the service. The amount required for the service
OF each current year, in the opinion of each Congress
will be appropriated from the Treasury. The post
age collected will be paid into the Treasury. The
Department thus protected and sustained, will con
nue the sphere of its operations limited only by the
amount appropriated.
have deemed it a duty to present to your view
entertaining hope that you will submit it to Con
gress,) this synopsis of facts dgested from the bes
sources within my possession, and leave the question
of reduction of postage, without any recommends
ton Of mine, to be decided by that Department o
| the Government to which the people have wisel,
delegated the power.
II Congress should not determine to make the re-
duction Of postage 10 the extent indicated by thu
tatcd the subject, would respectfully recommend
as have done on former occasions that tho presen
rates Of postage be changed to correspond will
the coins Of the United States.
There is large class Of printed matter, such al
hand-blls, the prospectus Of a newspaper, price
current, the drawings of lotteries proof sheets, &C.
now charged with letter postage, which ought not
pay higher rates than newspapers and pamphlets.
just discrimination between newspapers, as to siz
weight, should be made in the imposition Of post
age.
The Thanking privilege, if not abolished altogether
should in way be restricted, and its abuse check
ed.
There are other notifications of the existing laws
which will no doubt present themselves to the con
sideration of Congress, whose enactments Whateve
they may be, will be administered far that dut
shall be devolved on me, in the spirit in which
they may be passed, with view singy to promote
the intentions of Congress, and to advance and ex
tend the usefulness of this Department to every sec
ton of the country.
am, sir, with great respect, yours
G. A. WICK LIFE.
To THE President OF THE UNITED STATES.