The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-12-27

or 67 railroad contracts in those
States, only 35 have been adjudged in
consequences of exhorbitant demands.
The railroad service performed is one
tenth part of the whole; the pay they
receive oneJffM part.
Should there be q similar saving IN
the other divisions in letting the new
contracts, there will be a further saving:
In the Western section in year end
ing 3Oth June l847, Of $335,00o.
Southren section in year ending 3Oth
June, 1S49, Of $23s.000.
Middle section in year ending 30th
June, $40, of Sl8O,000.
The compensation topostmasters and
expenses Of offices for the year ending
3Olh June, 1s45, 81 l,4O9,S75 10.
The designations consequent upon
the new law, previous to the issuing OF
the circular giving the postmasters the
same compensation as last amount
to 1000.
Alludes to the frauds committed un-
der the weight system. one envelope
which accidentally broke, and was
marked postpaid 5 go contained 100
letters, which were liable to $1,000
postage.
Recommends if the weight system is
to be continued, its reduction 10 quar-
tor of an ounce for a single postage.
In 1890, the weight of the mails for
one week in the cities of New York,
Philadel phia, Baltimore, Washington and
Richmond, was tested, and the whole
weight amounted 10 55,94l lbs.
The newspapers weighed 44,8oS lbs.
Periodicals do 1857 lbs.
Letters free and taxable do 1915 lbs.
At present he believes the printed
matter is nine-tenths of the weight con-
veyed, and that it pays only one-tenth
OF the expense.
He recommends that the rates Of
postage be hereafter 5 cents for SIN
gle letter under 80 miles. ....
10 cents for q single letter over fifty
and under three hundred miles.
Is cents for single letter over three
hundred miles.
These rates he proposes to continue
until the 3Oth June, l848, and then a.
bolish the 5 cent rate, and restore the
rates as at present, He recommends
also the restoration of the former rates
of postage on printed matter, giving the
right to the publishers of conveying
such matter out Of the mails if they
think proper; also limitation Of the
number OF exchanges which editors may
send and receive free of postage, in
stancing the fact that there are now
some LOO ne wspape establishments,
as proof Of the abuse which may be
practise under the law as at present.
Also, the restoration of the iranklng
privilege to the postnlasters; and that
all persons who, under the old law be-
ing in the employ OF government, had
the privilege of receiving letters free,
should have that privilege restored to
them. He also. recommends most
strenuously and energetically, the max
ing the payment Of all postage impe' a.
hve upon The senders. The report states
that there are estimated to be not less
than 100000 dead letters returned to
the Post Office Department quarterlv;
and, during first quarter under the op-
Grafton of the new law, 100000, the
postage on which is lost to the Gov
as well as an immense amount
OF printed matter which is never taken
out of the offices. The magnetic tele-
graph between Baltimore and Wash
ington has cost between the lst April
and st October, 1924 80, Gncluding
Prof. Morse's salary and the receipts
have been $4l3 "A.