The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-01-12
Nem Fork Correspond ence.

NEW YORK, Jan 10, 1914
There is no new light to-day on the subject of the
robbery of Pomeroy's Express trunk; but, am in
formed that something will, in all human probability
be developed ere the next four-andtwenty hours
shall have elapsed. There scarcely be doubt
that the parties robbed have at last got the track
Of the robbers 1t were not wise or well, however,
to say much more at this moment of this subject.
perceive by an article in your paper of the 9th
instant, that it is likely that those edi ors who
have been very clamorous about =" Post Office
reform J" are 10 be accommodated; and 1t Is to be
hoped, that they will not be the first TO Inch from
the bargain. They suggested and solicited, and I'M
pored it, and for their Iedits sake let them hold on
70 their side of the yoke, without murmur; and
thus prove they can that there is no difference be-
tween their professions and practice.
On word only in reference to the rlyburly cry
that has been got up, by few editors and others,
about Post Office reform do not wish to discuss the
matter but do intend to state two simple facts,
There are not, in this country, thousand people
lcho haze asked for change IN The Post Office ics or
scho hare besio,oed A SINGLE THOUGHT ON THE
SUBJECT. SAY THIS AT RANDOM TO BE SURE, BUT AN
CONFIDENT OF ITS ENTIRE ACCURACY.
to adopt measures touching the matter and notwih
standing the utmost efforts made TO call in a
multitude, there were not hundred and fifty souls
in attendance. majority of those who were in at
tendance called in by their curiosity and
very much amused TO find that the whole thing had
its origin in a couple Of very dnteresitd newspaper
publishers, who of opinion that the Post Office
Department Of the United States ought to be destroy
ed for the purpose Of facilitating the circulation of
their periodicals and filling their pockets.
The heavier proportion of the postage paid in this
Union is paid by the commercial and general business
classes. Those classes have never yet complained,
nor will they complain ask for reduction Of the
rates of postage All they desire is safe and rapid
mails, and they are already in possession of BOTH
But few merchants what the rates of postage
since the tax thus imposed is paid by the con-
sumers Of the merchandise they sell, precisely
imports are.
The great mass Of the People care nothing about
the matter. On an average, not one inhabtant out
of thousand writes letter a year and not one in
five hundred avail themselves of the Post Office, or
the mails in their lifetime Those who do write oecn-
sionslly make no complaint about the present rates
of postage. The whole clamor comes from few
tuDllsheTs, and thOse INDIVIDUALS who are IN way
the other, engaged in the private express business.
another name, too often, for private smuggling
If Congress should %hink fit to reduce the rates of
postage to Federal money currency, and do away
with fractions, the convenience of all parties would
be advanced.
AS for the petitions praying for the reduction of
the rates Of postage that are presented TO Congress-
but little confidence can or should, be placed in them
They obtained very easily, and in nine cases out
of ten the persons who sign them do not know what
they are. In this city they obtained by agents,
who station themselves at public points, and who
arc paid one cent for every signature they obtain.
petition was got up here, year or eighteen months
ago, praying Congress not TO repeal the Bankrupt
Act. 1t was said to be signed by upwards Of one
hundred thousand voters. The names we've purchased
at penny piece, and in less than three months after
the petition reached Congress vast majority of the
people of the city of New York most soIemnly voted
that they were opposed to the Bankrupt Law, and de-
'sanded its immediate erpugation. The Postmastc,
General, is hoped, will remain inAexibly firm !,
his position; rigidy execute the laws and find him
self, as he assuredly will, most honoraby sustaine,
by the American People. Thus far he has pobly ac