, 1844-02-14
Reduction Of PostaEe.

An adjourned meeting of the citizens Of
New York, favorable to a reduction of the
rates Of postage, was held nj the Exchange
in that city. on Thursday a%fternoon-J.
DePeyster Ogden, Esq. presiding, Horace
Greeley, Esq, Chairman Of the committee
appointed at the former meeting, reported
a series Of resolutions, which were adop.
ted without a DISSENTING voice. These
resolutions, it strikes us. cover the whole
ground Of the present movements; and the
thild ope sets forth the leading points in
a line or two-namely; that while the Post
Office Department should MAINTAIN itself,
the Government should pay its own post
age, and not require individuals 10 bear
the butthen of its immense correspondence
and that Of those to whom il extends the
ranking privilege. The resolutions al.
luded TO are as follows:
Resolusd, Thai we expressly disclaim
| any intention or desire to devolve on the
Treasury of the United States the cost of
conveying the letters and papers Of indi-
vid uals; but insist that the Post Office de.
partment shall sustain itself. ss hitherto,
by charges en- the matter conveyed in the
Mails.
Resoived, That in our deliberate convic-
ton that the Post Office cannot longer
detray its wi expenses if the present
Rates Of Postage are retained and tho
multiplication OF improbable Mail Routs
is extended; for we cannot be blind to the
fact that the Correspondence Of the coun-
try is finding for itself, more and more
extensive, cheaper, safer and more expe-
ditious modes Of transmission on oil the
most profitable Routes; and unless this
tendency is arrested by a thorough Reform
in the management of the Post Office, the
virtual abandonment OF the Mails by the
great bulk of the Business correspondence
Of the country cannot be far distant.
RscolVed, That while we insist that the
Post Office shall maintain itself, and ask
that it be permitted to do so, we insist
also that THE GOVERNMENT shall support
itself. and not cast the. bnrlhen oil it's i'm.
mense Correspondence, and that of every
body 10 whom il chooses to extend the
Franking Privilege, upon the private cor
respondence of the. Countryi which We
deem as unreasonable as to compel tie
Commerce OF the Country to build III
Navy gratis, or the Farmers rs a distinc
class to subsist its soldiers and sailors.
Resoiued, That we adhere TO our previ
ousIy expressed conviction that a charge
Of five cents on every letter conveyed il
the Mails, and q corresponding rate tol
Printed Matter will sustain the Depart
ment; and we submit it TO the wisdom o
Congress to decide whether these Ratei
shall be Uniform for all distances, ar nver'
aSe-that is, higher and lower than tn,
standard rate according to the distanc,
~traversed. Whichever plan appears like
ly 10 secure tbs larger transmission of let
tels BY the Mails ought to be adopted, bu
our own conviction is decidedly in favo
Of a uniform rate of FIVE cents per singh
letter, If paid in advance.
ResoIved, That we call on the Peopl,
Of the whole country TO speak out prompt
ly, through letter and petition to Congress
in favor OF Reduction Of Rates OF Postage
assured tina, the cause is theirs as well a
ours-the cause to every Citizen who de
sires the cheap and universal diffusion @
Light, knowledge and Truth; and con
hdent that the Pnolic Good must preyai
over private privileges and indjVidus
gain If the Peoples voice is but heard. a
il must be If their attention can oe gsner
ally drawn 10 the Eubjee..