The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-12-02

subject OF pctlllonlnS congress ior u reuuc''oi Vi
newspaper postage, a few weeks since, and that we
solicited an expression of views from other editors
in regard to the amount of reduction, that there
might be Il uniformity in the petitions forwarded
We have been of the opinion and still, that to
ask for lowering of one half the present rate on
papers to regular subscribers, for 30 to SO miles,
would prove better than to ask for their transpora-
ton free for thirty miles, The editor of the Ncr-
mont Phoenix having presented his views on the
subject and having given some reasons for his posi-
tion we cheerfuy present his article to our readers
and hope such measures will be Immediately adopt
ed for obtaining reduction of newspaper postage
for thirty miles from place of publication as will Sc
cure the desired result.
NEWSPAPER PosTAGE.-Thc first session
of new Congress is at hand, and it is time
the Country Press took measures for the re-
enactment of the law exemptng newspapers
| from postage within thirty miles of the place
of publication. This law was repealed upon
the recommendation of the Postmaster Cen
eraI, and not upon the petitions of the peo-
pie. 1t was supposed that the reduction of
postage would SO diminish the Post Office
revenue, that the Department could not at
ford so great tax upon it, If there was any
foundation for this supposition, the present
prosperous condition of the Post Office shows
that it does not now exist. The provision
asked for, while it deducts but an atom from
the amount of the revenue, will do much to
cultivate taste for reading among the pco-
pie, by cheapening its cost.
Besides this, it will enable the country
publisher to afford q better and therefore a
more valuable paper. 1t will remove, in a
considerable degree, the glaring inequality
| that now exists between the city and country
press. At present. publishers in the great
cities can send their papers thousands OF miles
into the remotest parts of the Union, for only
half cent more postage than the country
publisher pays for the transmission OF his pa
per a single mile. This unj just discrimination
enables the publishers in the great cities,
whose situation gives their paper general
circulation over the country, to put their
terms SO low that the country press cannot
compete with them, and the circulation of the
country newspapers is consequently much di-
minished, and affords, in general, but mea'
gre support.
We only ask to be placed on equal ground.
The circulation of the country newspaper
must of necessity be circumscribed, and it is
equitable that foreign papers coming here to
compete with us should pay postage some
what in proportion to their distance, to COM
pensatc for the advantage of large and gen
eral circulation. In fact, such a provision
would be q saving to the Post Office Depart
ment for it is we'll understood, that upon the
great thoroughfares, the postage upon news
papers does not pay the expense Of transpor-
tation. A Philadelphia newspaper, being
three times the weight and bulk Of letter, is
carried to a subscriber in Iowa $1,000 miles)
for only a half cent more postage than the
same subscriber would have to pay for on
Iowa paper, though carried but q half mile,
Take away the invidious discrimination in ia
vor of the city press, and the same subscriber,
if he took but one, would probably take To-
cal paper This would materially lessen the
bulk of the mails on the great thoroughfares,
and enable the Department with greater pro-
fit to itself to lessen the postage upon letters,
We lately saw it stated that the "good wilP'
was estimated and actually held at the sum of
SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS This "good
will" consisted in its immense circulation, for
which it was chiefly indebted to the unjust
postage discrimination in its favor, at the ex-
pense of the country press.
We mean no reproach or disparagemcnt to
the city papers, We are glad to see them in
general circulation, and would not decrease
them We only ask to be placed once more
upon an equality with them in the use of the
Post Onice-an act of justice which many Of
them have cogently and honorably advocated
But to bring about the adoption of this law,
something more is required than newspaper
discussion petitions should be poured into
Congress, and the representatives made to
understand that the people desire it. The
country press have only to print blank petit
tons, circulate them in their respective coun-
ties, and take Il little pains to have them for
warded to Congress. Such petitions would
doubtless receive the signature of every indi-
vidual in community, and their circulation
should not be delayed. Hnot brought forward
at the commencement of the session, the pro-
posed law will be smothered in the mass Of
accumulated business.