Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-08-02
POST OFFICE REFORM.

The signs of the times indicate with unerring
certainty that a radical change must take place
in our whole Post Office system. The entire sue
cess of the Penny Postage system in Great Britain,
aud the rich blessings which its operation has con
fered upon the people of that kingdom, has called
public attention to the workings of our own Post
Office Department, and to consideration of the
burdens imposed by the present exorbitant rates of
postage. This led 10 numerous petitions for a re.
ducton Of the Of postage addressed 10 the last
session Of Congress. These petitions were referred
TO the proper committees in both Houses, and bills
to effect the object of the petitions reported by
those committees. The reported to the Sen.
ate passed that body, but was lost in the House
In the House there was much talk, but no definite
action. De-
We confess that we glad that no change was
made, and for this reason. Neither the public
mind nor any great portion Of the members Of Con-
gress, were prepared for such a radical change as
the public good requires, and as the public voice
will soon demand II is better that no change
should be made, that the present odious rates Of
postage should continue they are, until the vari-
Gus projects are thoroughly canvassed and exam
ned and the best possible selected rather than
that premature and partial reform be adopted,
that would neither satisfy the friends of cheap post
age or OF the present system.
One of those signs of the times that indicate the
necessity aud therefore the certainty of the change
we speak Of is the establishment of private mail
companies in all our large cities and towns for the
purpose Of carrying letters upon all the principal
mail routes at a uniform aud cheap rate Of postage
The Post Master General has essayed in vain by
threats and prosecutions stop these enterprises,
and now by the decision Of Judge Story they are
judcially declared TO be lawful enterprises. In
New York there at least four private mail
companies that send letters daily TO all the princ
pal towns in New England, New York, the Middle
States and the upper Lakes, at the uniform rate
Of Ia cents, or they sell twenty franks for 3 co.
In Boston there are similar companies, and the
rates of postage to the towns is still less be-
ing but cents These companies will, Of course,
take large amount Of the business that las here
tofore been done through the public mails, and the
General Post Office department will be deprived Of
IFS principal revenue, and greatly crippled ia its
sources, and instead Of supporting itself il will be-
come heavy charge upon the government. This,
we apprehend, will bring even our present Post
Master General, obstinate as he is, 20 his senses,
and convince him that something must be DONE
The department had already began to feel the ef-
fects Of competition OF the expresses, who earned
letters in a covert manner, before the regular estab
lshment Of mail companies. The number of let
ters mailed in 1887 was estimated By the Postmas-
ter General at - 360992 At the then rate Of in.
crease the number in 1874 ought to be- IS 5s5, 3i3
The actual number is only q, s3l 036, being actu-
ally less number than mailed in 1887. IT,
such is the decrease Of business, simply from the
timId competition of expresses, what will il be from
the open and active competition of numerous mail
companies, well organized, and extending their OPP
erations throughout the Union. No one can doubt
the result The Department cannot sustain itself
without greatly reducing the rates Of postage, and
important question is, can il sustain itself il the
,~tss 'vduurd, aua " ~, tow how ,atrs
be reduced with safety II reduction is 10 be
made, il is important that there should be har-
mony of opinion amongst the conductors OF the
press, and the people generally, in relation TO the
rate or rates to be fixed, that something definite may
be asked for and obtained
Afier somewhat careful examination Of the
subject we are inclined o the opinion expressed in
most respectable quarters, that uniform rate of
postage, without reference to distance, of rwo
CENTS for each package weighing less than half an
ounce, would richly repay all the necessary expen.
of well regulated, economical Post Office De.
par,ment.
In future numbers we shall endeavor 10 point out
some Of the reasons that have led us to adopt this
opinion, aud some Of the changes required in our
present system beyond the mere rates of postage