Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-12-24
POSTAGE REFORM.

POS AGE kEF Ok vi.
This work SO long and ardenly called for
is in fair way of being accomplished the
present session Of Congress. The Post Mas
ter General, who has heretofore been a Sc.
rious impeachment in the way of reform yields
reluctant assent, and the members of Con-
gress being fresh from the people, whose
wishes on the subject are SO unanimous,
must, we think, be prepared for the desired
change. But perhaps of al questions, this
is one which, with the least safety, may be
entrusted 10 popular opinion. It comes d.
treclly home TO the pocket Of every member
of society, AID Of course, we may expect
that, without considering the many things
involved, the cry for cheap postage to be uni
versal 1t is true, in England, the cheap
postage system has worked admirably, but
there is a vast difference between the two
countries. There are states of this Union
that embrace territory as large as England,
and within that limit is crowded population
greater than that Of our whole country, with
besides, excellent roads reaching throughout
its length and breadth. When we take into
account the vast extent of our own country,
the sparsencss Of the population, and the
miserable character of the roads in many
parts, it will at once be seen that England
furnishes US no precedent 1t must be a
matter Of experiment with US. The hope of
success is based mainly on an expected III
crease in the amount of mailab!e matter, in
view of the reduced postage. That there
will be very material increase of mailable
mntter, there can be no doubt, and enough,
in all probability On the main lines of travel
to pay well, but whether the remote sections
Of the country would yield enough TO pay
expenses, is question. Doubtless with
reduction of postage, would come reduc-
tisn Of the expenses of the department.
Postnasters, Of course, will get less than
they do now; the ranking privilege will be
essentially reduced if not entirely abolished,
and the cost Of mail transportion, will no
doubt DO lessened. If the revenue is de-
eressod, it is very possible that the expcn-
ses may be correspondngly decreased. For
our own part, wo should like to see the pos
tage reduced 10 the very lowest point which
would sustain an economical administration
of the department; but we would rather pay
the present rates than have an additional ex-
pense thrown upon the general government,
to be met by an increased revenue tariff.
We would rather pay direct tax of two
shilings, than an indirect one Of twice the
amount.
With regard to the compensation Of Post
Masters, the Tribune has tho following,
which however favorable it may be received
by the public generally, must be very I'M
pleasant TO the many aspirants for these sta.
tons under Col. Polk:
"Mr. Wickliffe informs us that wo cannot
find Postmasters who will perform the duties
so cheapy as those of Great Britain. The
reason is that our Post masters are hungry
politicians, who obtained the office as re-
ward for partisan service, while those of En-
gland are not. If the only object were TO
have the duties performed on moderate terms
it would be easy to find in every township
some poor but intelligent and honest cripple,
some widow well qualified, or some student
who sought the means of subsistence with
out depriving him of an opportunity TO pur-
sue learning, who would act as Post Master
for one half the present stipend. Whenev-
or Mr.. Wickliffe is ready TO look for Post
masters with single eye to their fitness and
their willingness to accept moderate COM
pensation, he will have no difficulty in find
ing them.''