The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-01-17

dispute convince us Of this and we ground our op-
position. But in order to a fair experiment let
something like the same economy be introduced
into the post office department, which a prudent
head Of family employs in his private AFFAIRS
The very reverse of this has often been the case
in times past To give an instance. A set Of
gentlemen residing along line OF communication
take it into their heads that line of stages passing
their doors regularly would be an accommodation.
They accordingly make application for line of
four horse post coaches on their rout The appli-
cation is granted and proposals issued and contracts
made accordingly. The right management, the
true economy would be 10 issue proposals and
make contracts for carrying the maiiable matter
and then private sagacity would soon discover
whether it would be profitable to set up line Of
mail-stages or to adopt cheaper mode Of convey
ance. The Post Master General need not trouble
his head as TO the mode or manner of transporta-
ton, he need only take that the mail should be
transported. The consequence would be the aban.
donment Of great number of useless and unpro-
fitable stage routs, like that formerly established
from Winchester to Parkersburg, and an immense
saving to the department; whilst every rout afford
ing sufficiently numerous travelling public would
still be accommodated with stages. Buttbis would,
in every instance, be done by the ever watchful
spirit of private enterprze and without charge or
danger to the great body of tax payers. .,.s
There is still another consideration that oughtto
be attended to if mail services must be higher paid,
the increased remuneration ought to bear some
proportion to the services rendered This is emf
nently not the case at present. Written matter
composes only one ninth part OF the weight of the
mails, whilst printed matter composes the remain
der; yet the written matter pays nine times as much
postage as the printed. Does not this fact demon
srate that mail services are not charged for accor-
ding to their amount or value, but according to a
mere arbitrary standard. Why should one hundred
weight of letters pay as much as eight thousand
one hundred weight of newspapers! The object
is said to be to encourage the dissemination Of in
formation by the spread of newspapers and period
icas. The provision has adirecty contrary effect.
1t discourages and Expresses our LOCAL PRESS,
by flooding the country with eastern papers, and
thus tends powerfully to prevent the general diff
fusion of sound political information. 0G-But the
thing is t0rOngn If the post Office is sufficiently
paid for the carriage Of newspapers, it paid eighty
times too much for the carriage of letters! All
our public arrangements ought to wear the impress
of moral rectitude and justice. But this arrange
ment is eminently destitute Of any such feature;
the subscribers for eastern papers, though often not
yatt rio hest cIa m n
Our poorer fellow citizens do not indulge them
selves in such luxury. Yet strange to tell no
proposition is made to increase the rate at docu.
mentary or newspaper postage; but only that ol
letter postage, which already pays eghty-one times
as much as its share Fellow citizens, this appeal
to you is not made for the mere idle purpose Of
appearing before you IN an address. In conjunc-
ton with two other sister counties, you have one
vote and one voice in the National House OF Rep
resentatives 1t is right therefore that discussion
should take place amongst you in order that YOU
| Representative may be informed of your will ant
wishes.
Partzan considerations as well as national ant
economical, forbid the increase of taxation, while
our citizens are so greatly overloaded with burth
ems of that kind, as at present. We have Dem
ocRATIc PRESIDENT, whose official conduct, hal
filed the breasts of his fellow citizens with admi
ration for his talents and love for his virtues, anc
cherishes in the breasts of his friends, the hope tina
his memory will command the gratitude of all pos
terty We have also democratic majority il
both branches of Congress, so thatit this repulsivt
and unpopular measure should be adopted the lar
gest share of responsibility must fall on the demo
Gratis Some of the more knavish and dishonest o.
our political opponents are already chuckling al
this Pretty patriots these truly! Willing to in
jure their country for the sake Of injuring the pre-
valling party. a well ordered mind would rathel
be dog and shay the moon" than such patriot
| As your Representative in the Ohio Legislature
the subscriber took decided part. throwing the
weight Of that body into the scale by resolutions
iDstructing our Senators and requesting our Repre-
sentatves to vote IN favor OF reduction Of the for
mer exorbitant rates OF postage 1t is but candol
to admit that the strong opinions formed then may
have ali influence on my present views. But it is
believed tbat those opinions were not embraced
without extensive investigation and calm reflection
aud therefore will not be hastily abandoned The
strongest arguments advanced on the other side
have only tended to confirm and strengthen them.
Let economy be infused into every part Of the
management of the post Office department. Let
the present system continue at least three or four
years, until fair experiment can be made and then
If an increase be found necessary it will be submit
ted TO without murmur.
1t is really provoking to observe the coolness
and unconcern, with which propositions for an
increase Of public burthens are sometimes madein
our various Legislative bodies. 1t is calculated to
engender the suspicion that many Of our public
men are too rich and independent in their circunl-
stances, to feel that sympathy with the great body
Of the small property holders and tax payers, which
an actual participation in their hardships would be
sure to produce. But Of all times this is the most
inausplcIous for an increase Of public exactions.-