Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-03-11
THE POsT-oFFICE LAWS.

passed al The late session Of Congress, was the
Post Office bill It introduces a new system, al
ter the Isl July, which will require all the industry
and saeacity, and his characteristic devotion 10
economy, OF the new Post-Masler General, Cave
Johnson, Esq, to carry into successful operation.
We sincerely wish him success in the expert
mcnt which he is about 10 superinlend. 1t is
very important innovalion-aEd il it Should he
adapted as well to The United States as il has
been found to prove in England, il may be produce
tive OF great and valuable improvements There
we have the best evidence OF lis being eminenlly
calculated 10 add 10 the convenience OF the people
without permanently reducing the revenue of the
Post Office. Mr. Fill, The proposer, mel with
great difficulties in introducing his reform Of low
posta2cs-but il has now been tried Tor few
years, and IS daily becoming more and more po-
pular. II was but the other day. that subscrp-
ton OF 100000 was made in testimony ofthe ser
vices which he had rendered 10 the public. Hill,
indeed. now ranks as public beneiactor.
The Post-Oltice system in this country was adj
United 10 be very detectye-and public sentiment
was loudly demanding some material reforms.
The postage upon letters was TOO highland there
could not be a stronger evidence OF It's oppressive
character. than the fact, that the Post Office laws
were openly vioaed-thai, in the same manner
as when duties upon foreign goods are TO high, il
tcmpis men 10 smuggling and violation in d!ler-
ent torms-so, the franklin. privilege was eXten.
svely abused 10 co.er private letters, which were
so scvcIclytaxedby heavy poslagc-and sotoopii-
vale expresses were openly established, under the
beard of Inc Postmaster General, 10 carry letters
at lower rates than he Post Office laws required
There was general complaint OF abuse, and 4
call for reform, before The laie Congress assem-
bed. The subject was brought 10 their attention
by lie Presidents Message; and a bill was orig-
mated in both Houses. The bill ia the Senate
obtained the start, under the auspices of Mr. Mer-
rick. The question was seriously debated. Mr..
Niles, who had been once Postmaster General,
threw all the lights of his experience upon its pro-
visions He strongly advocated reduction OF
the postage. The bill at las, passed the Senate
was amended in The House of Representatives
and has now become a law of The land Some Of
the Southern members opposed itupon the ground
that it required considerable appropriation from
the public Treasury 10 supply the vacuum in the
receipts, which would arise from the low hostages
on letters and that as this money must come prin-
cIpally from The customs il was calculated 10 sup
port high Tariff, TO lax the South in material
degree. Tor the benefit of the Northern people
There is certainly much ingenuity and force in
the objection, and il The appropriation is TO con-
tlnue as permanent one, il would appeal with
almost irresistible effect 10 The Southern people.
But ii is argued, IN The other hand, that the Post
Office receipts, however low at first under The low
posagcs will continue 10 increase, wirhevey year,
as II has done in England-lhar they will, in no
distant year, be equal 10 the expenditures Of the
Depariment-and that The Post Office will then
be thrown, as has hitherto been the case, upon lis
own resources, and the appropriation drawn from
the Tariff would then cease.
Gut on whichever side The weight OF the argu-
mcnt rests, the law has passed, and the new sys-
ten will commence on the Isl of July, under a
new Postmaster General The experience of
year or two will determine the success Of the ex-
pertinent, and the justice Of The appropriation
In the mean time, We, for one, who were sensible
of the imperfeclion Of the present system, alc
willing 10 try the new one, with every hope that
it may succeed here, as il is doing in England
We cannot undertake 10 say that this bill has hit
the proper maximum or minimum Of The postage.
nor do We believe that The ranking privilege is
sufficiently reduced. The bill had nearly reach
ed lis last Stage, when faction was made 10 rein
STATE Ike present privileges Of the members of
Cnngress-when they, for whose benefit princ-
paily the motion was made, surrendered TO the
and voted to their noble selves The fill
benefit OF the privilege. We trust Mr. Cave John
son, vino is distinguished for his love Of econo-
my, and who has seen the abuses OF the present
law, will have an eye 10 its provisions and
propose such future reforms in regard 10 the mem
bers OF Congress, as the interests OF the de-
may require. The Thanking privilege
is, indeed, frequently convenience 10 their con-
but IS always tax upon the people
The members load down the mails with election
eering matters dnring Presidential campaign,
4 -
and the public Treasury, or rather the great body
of the people, will now be made 10 pay for
these excuses oil their privileged servants. II i
to be hoped in fact, thai the new Postmaster Ge-
neral will exercise all his vigilance in the adj
ninistra,ion CT the system, correct all the abuses
nto which il may run, and make such a minute
report 10 Congress, as may enable il 10 reform lis
abuses, and enlarge its Improvements. The lol-
lowing is the synopsis Of the principal provisions
OF Tie law.
"Ailer the Isl OF July next, all single letters are
10 be charged fire cents Tor transmission under 300
miles, and ten cents for over that distance. Dou
be letters paw double price; treble letters treble
price, &c. Letters weighin. less than half an
ounce are to lie accounted single, and every addi
lional half ounce is to be charged additional sin
gle postage. Drop letters pay two cents, and lei
ieiS advertised arc 10 pay the cost OF advertise
ment.
Newspapers cf 1900 square inches or less, 30
free within thirty miles OF where they are print
ed for greater distances they are subject 10 the
rates Of the law Of 1875 and newspapers Of great
er size are TO paw The rates charged upon maya
zines and pan. pheis.
"Public Documents may be transmitted by
Stale Governors, Members OF Congress. Dele
gates ilom Territories, the Secretary OF The Sc
nate and Clerk Of the House, free oil postage, as
heretofore.
"The same persons may send or receive dur
luz the recess, letters weighing less than Two
ounces, as heretoiore and postage eharaeable on
letters touching cliicial business and weighing
more than two ounces, is 10 De paid from The con-
incent funds oil Congress.
"AlI persons who shall, after the passage OF The
act, transmit by any prohibited private express,
naiiabe matter or place al any designated spot or
ielivcr such matter for such transportation forfeit
or each offence 500.
"Ma;lable matter is defined, and i,does not in
,lude books, magazines, pamphlets or newspapers.
not directed nor intended for distribution, TO sub
.cribcrs, but for sale as merchandise.
"rhc Postmasler-General is 10 divide The rail
road routes into three classes according 10 the size
ii the mails, the speed with which they are 10 be
and the importance Of the service; and
more that 1900 per mile per annum: on the Sc
,ond class not over 500: and on the third class
rot over $50, shall be paid. And il The service
cannot be obtained for these rates, provision may
be made for separating the letter from the general
mail and Tor the proper conveyance OF each por
ion"
We shall publish in our next some very inter
sling extracts from the speech OF Mr. Niles Of
Connecticut delivered in The Senate OF the Uni
ed States on the 10th January II abounds with
useful statistics upon the past and present condi-
ion Of the English Post Office laws compared
With our own institutions.
A Correspondent from Charlotte county informs
is, that The Democratic candidate for this
county (Mr Isaac G. Carringon) is entering
.ealously inlo the canvass and no doubt but thai
Sc will give better account of ourselves, than
We have done for some years past Mr.. Hill
makes but little impression; and although the
majority was small IN this Congressional district
il the late Presidential election, the opinion pre-
;ails generally thai il will be decided this Spring"