The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-08-17
The Postmaster General-The Newspapers
and the Merchants.

The diffusion Of knowledge among the masses
of the people has always been con sidered essen
TALLY necessary to the perpetuation of American
institutions, and the preservation Of our rights.
1t has accordingly been adopted as cardinal
principle by political parties, and encouraged by
successive administrations, from time to time,
by afording every facility to the prOprietors and
publishers of newspapers, which have become so
generally read, that they considered indis-
pensable companions Of every family in the land.
Under this judicious policy the newspaper press
of the United States reached greater circua-
ton than i; has IN any other country, and we are
satisfied that it exercises most benefcia
effect on its millions Of readers. Wherever
you go-to the interior of the far west-to the
confines of the Rocky Mountains--in every log
cabin and matched hut in the land, you will
see newspaper of some kind, the daily perusal
of which must of necessity improve and edfy
its readers.
OF all the heads of rhe Post Office Department
Of the general government, who have exerted
themselves to promote the circulation of know
ledge by the medium OF ne wspapers, Amos Ken
dali and John M. Niles stand forth in bold relief
While these gentlemen were in office, it was
their constant anxiety to procure the removal of
distractions in the way of newspaper circula-
ton, and make ii as free the air they breathed
To Mr.. Kendall in particular, who was perhaps
thebest Postmaster General we have ever had, the
people of the United States are under the great;
est obligations for his exertisns in this respect
while OF all the post masters that have ever held
Office since the first establishment of our govern
ment, Mr.. Cave Johnson, the present incumbent,
has done the most to prevent the circulation of
newspapers land the consequent diffusion ofknow-
ledge among our citizens Every petty annoy
ance which narrow and illiberal spirit could
think of has been inflicted on publishers, and
every law that would harrass and annoy them has
been suggested. For his exertions in this res
pect, Mr.. Cave Johnson has entitled himself to
any thing but the gratitude of the public
But it is not in this matter alone that Mr.. John
son has proved himself unfit to hold the office he
does. His hostility to the circulation of news
papers, is equalled by the narrow-m minded and
diminutive policy which characteristics his ope-
rations In other respects. With the view of mar
owing the expenses OF the department over
which he presdes, he takes not into considera-
tion the convenience of the public, blu, the few
dollars he can save. The saving is the point he
aims at, not the accommodation of the publie -
AZ an instance of this, we may refer our readers
10 His dDOut the great
Southern mai, which could reach this city eyery
day at ten o'clock, as well as at three or four in
the afternoon The Camden and Amboy rail-
road brings to us every day Southern papers,
which we receive early in the day, whereas we
do not get letters until it is too late to
them by the return mail If our inconvenience
is great, II is not near so great as that is sus
tanned by the mercantile community. 1t is of
the highest importance to merchants to receive
their correspondence as soon possible, in order
that they may operate advisedy, or direct their
agents TO do sol How is it now? Why, our
merchants instead of receiving their letters at
ten o'clock every day as they would do, if Cave
Johnson were not so much behind the age as he is,
do not receive them until three OF four o'clock,
TOO late for sending answers by the return mail.
This results from Mr.. Johnson's practical appli-
cation of his mean, narrow contracted views.
Indeed, he has made a science OF meauness,
and has more ability to be a professor of it on