The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-17
The Post once Department.

public funcionary ever more unjustly or more
bitterly assaled than the present interchangeable Postmaster
General The opposition press, we regret to say has
manifested reckless disposition to find fault with him,
from time to ime without the slightest cause or provo
cation. As instance OF the gross injustice which has
been done to his untrng efforts promote the interests
OF the commercial community, copy the following
from the "New York Courier and Enquirer
''1he rates Of postage determined by the Post Office
pepanen, a. washington Tor NE american line Of Euro
very justly objected by the Courier DIES Eis Unis
oneaous in all respects bur especially upon the
omeo are TO run between This port and touching
| Belgium
papers, or packages except those for Bremen and the
places which supplied through the Bremen post Office
the others will be paid al Bremen
IAN letters and packages weighing less than half
onnce, from New York, TO pay "A half
ounce and not exceeding an ounce S cents, and 10
Tor every additional ha-ounce.
Every newspaper, pamphlet, and price current pay
cents; and in all cases OF msyes from the Interior the
| stng rates OF postage TO be added;
lively disappointment that have read these regulations
50 oneons at once to commerce and the press. We
did DOT think that with such the United
States undertook to by increased facilities
world and European brethren especially will think a.
We do, and share our surprise in seeing how country
progress Of nations and promoter liberty, understands
one of the most essential parts Of that character
Its especially IN respect OF the productions of the press
mat the American Post Office Department is illogical,
le way q liverpool pay only two or three postage
~ the Washington ,i they will pay five two from Paris
IN truth an arrangement suited people of whose pros
we can imagine ourselves the champions Of commercial
office monopoly be corgivenl p07'
o hat cfof
bad precedent established by the Great Westerbv
reason, said of the exacon by the English post Office
of 3d. for every letter landed from steamers Such an
exactlon surely exorban 1t is said that agent
steamers to the channel ports, have gone London to en-
deavor to bring about change in the charge of the Eng
American Post Office Department will be authorized, in
me way OF reprisas 70 impose like rate letters landed
IN the United States from British steamers.
las the correspondence of commerce and of affection
would have to bear the burden of this OF post Office,
bned may lead to an abrogation OF the excessive
charged at Southampton"
Now, is the "Courier and Enquirer willing TO ac
knowledge that it ignorant of the provisions of the
act of Congress, approved Sd March, 1885, under which
the steam line has been established as to plead
justification palming such absurd statements upon its
readers the foregoing That act gives discretionary
power to the Post Office Department establish one or
lines of mail steamers between the United States
and European ports, none-as he may think proper
butt expressly provides that the postage letters con.
veyed to port beyond the Atlantic shall be "a cents
sach not exceeding haf-ounce and on newspapers, 9
cents each The demanding OF these rates. therefore, is
only in strict obedience to law and not the ratss Of post
age determined at Washington for the American line
of European steamers Col Johnson at liberty to
change orvay them in any way whatever without wilfuy
violating law of the land Ii the rates too high,
the ultfndng Courer and Enquirer" and its coad
tutors should empty the walls of their wrath upon the
head OF Mr.. Grinnel, of MISUNDERSTANDING su
ceny consistent ederast to be in good favor with the
pary-who called up the bill in the House of Represent
atves after it had been reported from the Senate where
it introduced by Mr. Merrck, chairman OF the Com
mee the Post Office and Post Roads Mr. Grinnell
instrumental in its passage after the subject had
been held by him under consideration for soma time and
if letters and newspapers charged too high
the wishes of the "Courcr and Enquirer" it should have
the manness to hold the Post Office Department harm
less
While are not disposed to say word in behalf of
the rates fixed by the act is scarcely necessary for
state that those rates must be continued until they I'M
dergoa modification by Congress. We may remark how
ever, that the postage letters Of haf-ounce weight 60
ing to coming from Germany Boston, by the Cunard
steamers, amounts to 43l cents EACH instead OF d. as
charged upon her steam which our YES
sells to ply upon and that newspapers of the size
of the "Union" So cents charged instead of cents
If these greatly reduced considered too high by
the pair OF Courers," is only necessary for them to
make known their grievances to the representatives of
the people, who WILL doubtessly bestow upon them that
reflection to which they may consider them entitled
We beg the public bear in mind that this is spec
&C al, AL
sanity practsed against the Post Office Department