The Arkansas banner., 1845-02-26
CoNGREssIoNAL-REDUCTIoN or POS


 CoNGRESsIoNAL-REDUCTION OF POS
 TRGE. Szc We are indebted to Col Ashley for copy ot the Bill to reduce the rates of postage, to limit the use and correct the abuse of the franking privilege and for tn. prevention of frauds on the revenues of the Post Office Department, '' which was passed in the Senate of the U s. on the 8th inst, by vote Of 37 to p,
 The bill reduces the rates ofpostago very consid- erably and the inducement to the measure, was the prevailing opinion, that d reduction of the rates will increase in a corresponding ratio, the amount ol transnissons through the department, and thereby lessen, and distribute more widely, the burthens of postage, while the amount of revenue arising to the Department will not be diminished but probably in creased.
 If this should prove to be the result of the expe- riment, it will be wise improvement. The gov | ernment should not desire to make the Post office department taxing operation upon the people, for the purpose of raising revenue, but should be con tent with making the department deiray its own ex penses.
 The first section of the Bill provides the following rates on letters:
 l For every single letter five ceuts--for double letter, double that amount-or treble letter, treb le; and for qnalrnpia quadrupla that rate. Eve IT letter or parcel not exceeding half an ounce in weight shall be deemed single letter, and every additional weight of half an ounce additional weight less than half an ounce, shall be charged with an additional single postage. Letters dropped n the Post office not for transmission, but for de livery only, to be charged with postage tthe rate of two cents each. Letters which have been ad- vertised, to be charged in addition to postage, the cost of advertising, when handed out
 Sec. 2d provides that newspapers of no greater size than 1900 square inches may be transmitted to subscribers, other persons, within 30 miles of the place published free of postage. Papers of and under the size aforesaid, transmitted to greater dis tance than 50 miles, chargable as under prior acts and papers of greater size than the above chargabe as magazines and pamphlets under this act.
 Sec. 3d, provides that pamphlets magazines, pc rodicals, Sc, shall be charged with postage at the rate of 2 cents per copy of no greater weight than one ounce, and one additional cent for each addition al ounce.
 Sec. & 6, places restrictions on the officers of government in the use of the lranking privileges
 Sec. 8, allows members of Congress the franking privilege for 30 days b2ore during, and for 30 days after the sessions of Congress-
 Sec. 9, prohibits the establishment of any private express or expresses for the transmission of letters, packages, S1c.
 Sec, 10, prohibits coaches, railroad cars, steam boats, Slc., from sarrying letters &c., except in re- lation to their car5oes, 8,c.
 There are many other important provisions in the Bill regulating the rates Of postage. restricting the franking privilege, guarding against abuses of it, and providing against frauds upon the department. But as the Bill has Tot passed the House yet, and will be published when passed we deem it unne- cessary to do more here than mention, as above, some of is more important features.
 The Globe says, in relation to this Bill:
 The Senate, to-day, passed the bill re- duclng the rates or postage, and modifying the franking privilege. The bill (which will be found in the congressional columns makes Important changes in the present post-oflice l system. Should the low rate of postage that is uniform charge of five cents for let ters of half an ounce, and ten cents for an ounce weight and so on in the same ratio. to any part of the United States-materally reduce the revenues of that department, and throw Il upon the common treasury. there could be no better tune to make the eXperi- ment. The people demand cheap postage by thls bill they will have it; and should the consequence be a necessity for applying a portion of the surplus in the treasury to make up the deficit Tn the revenues of that depart ment III testing the experiment, no evil will be incurred thereby, but, on the contrary. much good. The people will have returned to them through this system of cheap pos tage, portion of the onevs drawn from thetr pockets through the tariff, and the evils consequent upon a bloated treasury will. in some measure, be lessened. This is the aron- ment otsome olhe friends ofthc bill They do not, however, expect that deficit in the revenues ot the department can, in tonse- quence ot the change, last more than year; Tor the reason that the cheap rates of pos tage will cause progressive increase, from year to year, in the number of letters for warded through the mail. Should the friends ol the measure not see a realization of all their just expectations, it is very easy for succeeding Congress to repeal the law and restore the old system. The bill passed the Senate, on yeas and nays, by a vote of 37 to l2, The Senate then spent short time Tn executive session, during which time it is understood Mir. White. late President of Inc Tyler Baltimore convention. was rejected as consu to Liverpool, and Judge Nelson, of New fork, was confirmed as one of tbo judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, in place of the late Judge Thomson when the doors were opened, the Senate ad- Journed till Monday.
 
 FOR THE LADIES.
 Our lar readers who are partial 10 that beautiful song" Woodnaa spare thar tree, will doubtless De much pleased with the following parody.--Ep. BANNER.
 THE BIBLE.
 AIR" Hoodm4a spare tl1t ffec