Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1847-11-05

cents. This certainly was quite q com
mencement, and although many of on
rulers prophecied ruin and bankruptcy t.
the Post Office Department, still, so fal
at least, they have shown themselves Il
be no prophets, nor even the sons of such
Tor although the revenue did fall off al
first, yet upon the whole it has been. anc
is, we think, constantly increasing thro'
out our country. But here we must be
permitted TO say that the reform was but
partial. Congress should have decreed
thatall letters under one half ounce weight
should be carried to any part of the u
nited States for cents, and in all cases
let them be prepaid. This would enable
the Department TO do with less help; the
accounts would be simple, much easier
I kept, and no dead letters then would re-
main in the post office to the great loss
Of the department That this, when fairly
| tried, would answer well, and produce rev.
enue sufficient for the wants of the De-
partment, we cannot for a moment doubt
that the experiment mi ght be heavy tax
upon the treasury at first, might be grant
ed. Still, fair trial, with sufficient time
to test it, would demonstrate the utility of
the change. We may Judge of the future
from the past; we have good trans atlantic
| authority for believing as we do.
England was the first to try the cheap
postage system, and she has verified the
prediction of the most sanguine friends OF
that measure; for she not only realises
sufficient nneans from this policy tn defra y
the enormous expenditures of the Post
Office Department, but also a heavy sur
plus revenue. But Independent of this
proof, we argue that from the general in
telligence of our people, the disposition to
investigate and compare, to become ac-
quainted with all portions of our country,
would naturally lead to extensive CORES
pondence, and the extent would doubtless
be in proportion TO its cost; and it is not
too much to say that where one letter is
now sent at five or ten cents, there would
be ten mailed at two cents. In fact this
must be so obvious to all our readers, that
1t hardly needs further argument. But
there Is still another branch of this re-
form, quite as important as the above -
In fact, far more so. We allude 70 the tax
upon newspapers This is certainly a tax
upon the intelligence of our country - n
direct, heavy tax upon the necessarics
Of life; for Is not newspaper one of the
necessaries of life to the American peo-
pie? We think this systematic and con-
tinued embargo upon the press should be
duly considered by the American public,
the cry ofrepeay should be heard from
Maine to Texas. Let all our papers be
carried free let all have an opportunity
of knowing the actual state of parties and
of things, without having to pay anything
in the way of Governmental tax. This
is no trltiing question 1t Is one that ad
dresses itself to the understanding of all
classes - alike to the poor and the rich
and if, in carrying out this measure, gov
eminent needs funds. it would be an easy
matter to increase the duties upon the lux
liquors. This would be satisfactory to all
the great interests of the nation.
Congress is soon to assemble, and the
question will then be brought up; and let
the people be prepared to meet 1t IN sea-
son; let them assemble IN every township
and school district throughout our coun-
try; let a competent person be procured
to address and explain the matter to the
public; have petitions prepared, embrac-
ing the above provisions, and the people
will 90 as to a man in its favor - they
are ripe for this change - all that Is now
wanted is some active, public spirited men
in each place, to start the measure, and 1t
would 90 like the whirlwind. Don't be
deceived, and think because our Congress
men saw fit to partially answer the prayer
Of the public, that therefore they will
grant all that is necessary hereafter. De-
pend upon it, they will 60 just as far as
YOU tell them to go, and no farther; and
the reason why they did not move more
quickly before, was, because the people
did not take hold of the matter as If they
meant it. Engage in the subject at once,
and that too in good earnest. When you
shall have held your public meetings and
your petitions are fully signed, send them
to known friend in Congress, of cheap
postage, or to your own immediate repre-
sentative, with written request for him
to use his best endeavors 10 have your de-