The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-06-20

The ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF Next CONGRESS
The very chiefest of the receptions practi ed by
the partzans of both factions, the constant exag
geratoa of the Importance of the Presidential cleo
ton Now the Importance of the election of Men,
bers OF Congress- and of heIState Legislatures, who
elect the United States Senators, is of infinitely
greater account than the decision of the Presden-
tla contest To the Office seekers, indeed, to those
miserable creatures who practice all the low dis
reputable acts of partizanshp for living, the Pres
identlal election is matter of some Importance,
lnasmuch as il determines their chances for sharing
in the distribution of the spois. But to the people
Ito the nation at large-it is a matter of trivia
Importance who occupies the Presidential chair,
provided the legislative halls filled with honest,
efficient, and upright men.
The necessity of more earnest and general at
tenton on the part of the masses of the people to
the choice and election OF Members of Congress,
instead of permitting themselves to be deluded by
the cry of interested partizans in favor of one or
other of the Presidential candidates, is very well
illustrated by reference to the conduct Of the last
Congress. The country has seen how matters OF
the utmost Importance to the best interests of the
people have been entirely neglected, and mea-
sures of the most obvious utility been thrown
have been squandered in protracted squabbles and
intrigues with respect to the nomination of Presl-
Dental candidates Look for instance, at the man
ner In which the great subject of Post Office Re-
form has been treated This was measure de-
manded by the universal voice of the people. It
was one which would have conferred ncalculabe
benefits on the country, IN the extension and H.
crease of social INTERCHANGEABLE transmission of
Al
greatly extended facilities in conducting ali the de-
partments of business Yet not the slightest con-
cesslon was granted to the righteous demands of the
people. The Post Office Department exerted all its
influence against the proposed reform, and succeed
ed. And what was the ground on which this oppo-
sltion was made to the wishes of the whole people7
Why, that reduction in the postage rates would
be detrimental to the revenue of the country. And
this at time when it was matter OF Boosting that
surplus revenue was rapidly accommodating A
more impudent, insolent and iniquitous disregard
of the sense of an intelligent people was never ex-
hibited than that manifested by the department
and Congress on this subject.
What has been the consequence of th. oppres-
sive and unjustifable conduct OF Congress WHY,
the post office department is threatened with com
pete disorganization. BY recent decision in the
United States Circuit Court, at Boston, in the case
of Hatch, it appears that the law exists at pre-
sent, Independent private post office establishments
may be erected all the country. 1t is certain
that the people cannot and will not submit much
longer to the presen, inefficient, burdensome ant
unjust post office system.
This view of one important public measure is
alone sufficient to exhibit the Importance of regar.
ding the election of members of Congress with
more interest President making is a business
profitable only to Office beggars Let the people
awake to a full perception OF their interest 1t is
the election Of the great representative body which
affects thsr interests, their pockets, and their well
fare