Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-06-10

Frcn the ~ X. Exprsa
NEWSPAPER POSTAGE.
Important rotations Of The iSrs, By the Post-
/ master General
Being sure that the Postmaster General
was violating the Post Office Law in the in
structions he had given TO his subonlinaries,
we have awaited with some anxiety the OH
clal publication of the Laws Of the United
States. The pamphlet came to hand yesses-
dsy:--and we take this. the first opportunity,
therefore. to show what the law is in the
matter OF newspaper postage, and 10 advise
the public no longer to submit to an impc-
sItion. That part Of the new Post Office law
which relates 10 newspapers is officially pub
lished. as follows, p,sacfuatim ct bier atm:
| SEcrios 10. And be il further enacted,
that il shall mol be lawful to deposite in any
post office. 10 be conveyed in the mail, two or
more letters directed 10 different persons en-
closed IN the same envelope or packer; and
every person SO offending shall forfeit the sum
OF ten dollars, 10 be recovered by action Qm
tam. one half for the use Of the iuformer aud
the other half for the use Of the Post Office
Department Preceded, that this prohibition
shall not apply TO any letter or package direc-
ted TO any foreign country; and all newspapers
conveyed in the mail shall be subject to pos
tage except those sent by the way Of exchange
between the publishers of newspapers, and
except those f.anked by persons enjoying the
Thanking privilege, and newspapers not sent
from the Office Of publication; and all hand
bills or circulars printed or autographed, not
exceeding one sheet, shall be subjectto three
cents postage, each, except those franked by
persons, enjoying the fanking privilege, and
newspapers not sent from the Office Of publi-
cation; and all handbls or circulars printed or
autographed. not exceeding enc sheet, shall
be subject TO three cents postage, each, TO be
paid when deposited in any post Office to be
conveyed in the mail"
This is the official law, published BY au-
ihorlty, with punctuation preserved in every
respect. 1t will be seen, il enacis that all
newspapers are free except those sent from
the office of publication; that in no case prepay
ment be demanded except for circulars and
handbils Of one sheet each. No provision Of
the old law changed except for circulars and
handbls as are composed Of one sheet each.
This law, as we have mentioned. has just
been published. To show, to what extent
the Postmaster General has carried his out
rageous violations of this law, before its pub
LEGATION, we copy the following from his cir
cular OF instructions issued on the 18th Of
March, four days after the adjournment Of
Congress 1t will be recollected that he had
the law before him officially a, that ,ime;--
$50. Transient Newspapers. Che says or
those not sent from the Office of publication
TO subscribers, handbIlls or circular letters,
printed or autographed, not exceeding one
sheet in size, will pay cents upon delivery
at the office, and before they are put in the
mails, and ell such will be charged by deputy
postmasters as prepaid matters in the way
bills, and upon their accounts Of mails sent.
and stamped or marked paid with the name
Of the Office from which sent"
The Postmaster General here directs the
following gross violations:
"lst. That transient newspapers, or those
not sent from the Office of publication to sub
scribers. shall be subject 10 three cents postage
The law says, that newspapers not sent from
the office Of publication are excepted from
payment ofpostage; and IN no case demands
pre- payment OF postage upon them, whether
sent by publishers or others.
"2d. The Postmaster General directs the
postmaster to demand postage on all papers
not sent to subscribers from the office Of pub
licaiion."
This is another usurpation. The law does
not require, as will be seen above that news
papers shall be sent TO subscribers. Neither
the word nor the substance Of the law author
ICES any such exaction. II is gratuitous
usurpaton, then. Let the reader compare
the law and the instructions, and he will jus
tlly our conclusions.
And now the public will ask for remedy;
and if they will act,lhey will have it speedily.
Let every postmaster who witholds a paper
not sent from the Office Of publication, be re
quired to deliver the paper free and in case of
refusal. let him be prosecuted before justice
Of the Peace for the paper. Whenever pa
per is sentfrom the Office Of publication, and
more than the old rates are demanded, let the
postmaster be prosecuted in the same manner.
Let every postmaster who refuses TO receive
a newspaper he also prosecuted before JUS
tee of the Peace, and we shall soon see wheth-
er Mr. Cave johnson IS to make laws. or
whether they are 10 be passed BY Congress.
The newspapers Of the Interior, by circu-
lating this article extensively will soon pnt
stop to the general system Of imposition up.
on the newspaper press.