New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-03-26
oRK, TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH ee, 1874
New POst-Omce RU.

The new Post-Offce bill, reported with amend
ments to the Senate proposes 10 fix letter postage
at i've cents for any distance under one hundred
miles, and at ten cents for one hundred miles.
This looks accommodating only from the
tact, that il is 50 much less than the heavy tax
imposed imposed Tor hafa century. Its, for under
one hundred niles nearly three times, and for over
one hundred miles, nearly sic tmes the British pos
tage! The same bill depnves all Editors, and of
course all their mail subscribers of the important
privilege hitherto enjoyed, of having payments sent
free, through Postmasters;-t aiming heavy
blow against the general circulation OF knowledge.
10 this however, there would no objection, provi-
ded letter postage were reduced 10 three cents, il
might be. were all ranking abolished.
lie bill moreover imposes on all pamphlets, ma
games, and even newspapers not 'pubftshed at
short, stated intervals, of not more than ,ceek,
a tax OF two and half cents for each copy OF no
greater weight than one 0ce sent any distance not
exceeding one hundred miles; five cents for any
greater distance, and cent additional for each
additional ounce OF the weight ofevery such pamph-
let, magazine, matter, or thing which may be trans
United through the mail, whatever be the distance ~
While the same bill also imposes heavy penalties
for sending over mail routes by any other mode OF
conveyance, magazines pamphlets, or newspa-
pers, II intended for immediate distribution to sub
sCrbeTs or Others"
Now there are very few magazines that do not
welgh more than one ounce, and very few pub
llshed as often week. The consequence
of this law, will be therefore, the killing outright of
the agricultural legal medical, literary, religious
and miscellaneous periodicals, which now form
so great portion Of the reading of our country
men, and which bring the choice results of expen-
sive treatises within the reach OF the humblest me-
chanic and farmer.
But even this is not the worst of this anti-republi
BILL 1t provides, like the old law, that. during
the whole year, EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS may
receive free, any number oletters, papers, or packets,
and may send free, five letters packets daily, be-
sides any amount OF pamphlets or documents Con-
gress may choose to publish; however enormous
the expense to the public, printing, and employing
numerous clerks in folding, as well as employing
many hours Of their own time in ranking, and also
heavily burdenino the mails carving the same
throughout the nation thus virtually giving TO
themselves the privilege OF cOncllIalng for new
election, the public expense Just so many OF then
constituents, as they may choose TO supply with
these apparent gratutes tor which IN reality every
person paving postage is taxed And this tax
amounts 10 many millions.
Here then the ignobe secret of the hig rates
of letter and pamphlet postage proposed The
British Government, to the shame OF our boosted
Republicanisn have had the magnanimity to abolish
entirely their ranking privilege. And for several
years past, their mail, carrying letters throughout
the United Kingdom for penny and newspapers Tor
n0iing has cleared, over all expenses the average
sum OF about three millions OF dollars annually
While according to the statements OF the Postmas-
ter General, our public guardians at Washington
have been fankimg, besides vast numbers OF letters
for themselves and others,) upwards OF four millions
of pamphlets or documents, IN three icee6S during
which time an accurate account was kept as the
ground OF general estimate weighing upwards OF
l79 TONS
Plain common sense men can make an estimate OF
the vast number and expense of teams it would re-
uuire, erery three ueeks OF the long session OF Con
gress, for Transporting these l79 tons-tor the most
port uoooss, oscept for selfish or party purposes
And let the common people remember, that they
are the soveregns of this Republic, and responsible
for It's laws, whether good or bad. Letthem at once
forward from every village petitions something like
the following and their wishes will be regarded by
those they have elected
g To the Hon. Senate and House Of Representa-
tires in Congress assembled: The undersigned re-
specially request that you will reduce letter post
age throus hou1 the T. :. to three cents and news
papers and pamphlets in due and aqual proportion
and abolish entirely the ranking privilege
[This subject is of such importance that the above
or some similar exposure, ought to be made in every
paper.
Rooms OF THE NEwYoRK HIsToRIcAL SocrETT,}
ITn;ya nF York arch