Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-04-06

guardianship. and protection Of the laws, who
would compete, even on the principal thorough
fares. with the Government, in The business of
carrying letters AT cents eucha Or what cores
pondeut would trouble his neighbcr with letter
for the sake Of saving 2 centsl
II would also draw quantity ofmntter hithertol
entirely excluded by exOrbitnnt postage. For
instance, subscriptions to ne Wrappers might be for
warded by mail in gold or silver coin. dollar
or an eagle ia single sheet, would cost hut
cents, less than tho lowest present charge for
single letter.
Sample OF goods, the lighter articles Of clothing,
books, and ANY other things might, and doubt.
less would be sent in the same channel.
The same result certainly would not be effected
by tile ruie proposed in the bill now before Con.
gress, 5 cents for ialf an ounce less than 100
miles over leo miles. 10 cents, and as much
more for every additional quarter ounce. Nor
could it be effected by any rate much higher than
tho one proposed in this article.
Yet the increase of the matter mailed is chiefly
relied upon to compensate for the reduction of
postage.
In England the reduction Of the rates to cents
per half ounce, was followed by an increase in the
number Of letters mailed of $50 per cent in two
years and a half.
The proportion OF persons able to rsad and
write among the poorer casses, is undoubtedly
greater in this country than It is in England.
And the Migratory character Of our people, by
sepo rating families and friends. creates uses for
correspondence not Likely to exist among peas
nntry which. ms clnss live where their ancestors
have lived since the conquest. but few Of them
having any intercourse out OF their own immedi-
ate neghborhood.
As the poorer classes most likely to be nffec-
ted bv reduction. il might perhaps be assumed that
the inc rease Of correspondence would be greater
in proportion with US than it has been in Eng
land.
But allowing the increase to be the same i,
would amount in the same period to 36,659 $50
additional letters. .-.
Surprising that. as in England, all letters or
packages offered that do not exceed one POUND in
weight are received, it may be- estimated that these
packages will average two ounces each. ON which
the postage would be $2,932.76l 60.
r. Deduct from this amount the cost Of transpor
tn,ion and the balance will be the nett gain to the
revenue.
For the Increase Of matter is attended with no
increase Of expense beyond the cnrriage.
The simpfcation Of the system Of chnrges
would render additional aid in the Post Office.
unnecessary.
n statement already referred to from the Pos
Office department shows, thu Of the letters maier
in October. lS43. II per cent. were carried 81
miles and less % per cent. between 80 and so
l94 per cert. between 80 and $50; % per cent
berween $50 and 400; and 49, per cent. owe
400 miles. Assume thnt Of the last lS4 PEE
cent. one half ire carried 500 miles. the other
average distance of LOGO that ench letter weighs
half nn ounce and that the cost Of conveyance,
does not excetd cents per lO0bs. per mile. the
cost of ench letter VIII Inen ne about ~ mills
Rating it at half a cont. pe- half ounce, and np-
plying the same rules to the increase estimated
the transportation would he S733. 100 4O-lOO-
leaving nett gain of $2.l99 57l 20
The letters subject to postage in lS43, as be.
fore stated are estimated at %, 439 6ss- cts.
postnge on each, would give $3,665 953 90
The same number nj 2 cents. each,
would yield 4Ss793 20
Leaving deficit Of $3,l77,i loo Az