Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1845-07-17
THE posr ,lAsrER enSEs4I..

Tim esprit Or Jefferson" notices decision
Of The Postmaster General in reference TO his e-
sric,ive construction ofibe Post Office Law;
That functiopary constInesih the lawso as;lo
charge postage on ne vspapers when the places
to which they are directed may not be distant
more than half a.dozen miles, but through the
citeuitoas ronts Of the mail, ahe papers may ira
seiihiry miles before they reach heir dsslina-
lion.
The iutsniion OF thelaw certainly was, 70 give
the fee circulation Of newspapers ~ mail TO
subscribers wshin thirty miles Of the PLACE OF
their publication, riihDut refgsnes 10 the mean
detings Of ths mail, but solely to the aN4al dis
lance. Is il either fair or just, that bsdsose We
are debsrred ~ cross mails, that our papers are
70 be subjected 10 postage, when, as il may be,
and is, only zen or twelve miles Intervene be.
tween the place Of publication ard the post Of
fees 10 which they are dirsciedi Tn. impress
Of unfairnsss and gross injustice i too plainly
tss~.s.sr
We heartily concur in the remarks If the
Spirit, as \ certainly takes The right view Of
the matter;
!" TnE PosrhGE BILL.--In one particular, with
ell due defelknce TO the Postmaster Genera, do
We think Constfuction is given TO the Post or.
nee Law unwatranted by the whole tenor Of the
Bll. II was evidently the design Of its trainers,
10 giteto the people the 4geslesi possible sdvan.
tage, so as q save the Department from being
thrown TO any considerable extent upon the
G9yernment for support. With this view. and
for The purpose OF dIfnsiDe kno " ledge, tbs Bill
wisely prcvped, that Newspaper shonld 60 free
: within thifsy miles Of the place where printed,
This, ceftaify, was intended 10 declare, that pa
pers should 10 fee 10 any place, which, BY CON-
mon consent, was understood 10 be within the
distance designated. The main roads, The com:
mon thoroushfares, were TO be the lines for mea-
suFemeni. But, the Postmaster General has de-
ciaed, that the mail route is alone to be consider.
cd thereby Qualifying, to great extent, what
We conceive TO be the plain meaning and inten-
;i9n Of the Law.
TO illustrate ihe injustice Of this decision, lei
as take Berlyville, Ia Clarke COUNTY By the
common wsys for travel from this place 10 thai,
i is only Twelve miles. Yet, for convenience 10
cqnnecling with other routes, the mail from here
sIcarried OF the railroad, BY way Of winches-
eF, mskings,he distance to Berryviile some 80
ID "a miles, Again, We will take one, of orr own
owns -AISuseWay 10 only aOout % ey The
turnpike rosd from this place, We, the mail route
rom here lhefe, is abou, % miles, Just coming
silhin the distance. Several places ia BERKELEY.
frederick, touioun, &c might be mentioned,
s3here the aecisJon Of the Postmaster General
'persies alike uhiusils. We hope that he may
ook into the matter thoroughly. and see good
Isd sufficient Gauss for reversing his decision.
There isno event Of the 18Th Century, that
rill tell mpre favorally on the prosperity and
Ultimate advancement Of cur Union, than the
postage Rsfotm Bill"
Batthe present rulersstop not al tribes They
ave decided, IN rhe face OF the law fixing the
compensation Of pcs,masters, that The rate az
owed last1sss is TO be continued. What isIaw
; The hanss Of The Democracy Il Is matter
Q be ecnsstned to mean any hing or nelhiag.