Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-06-24
CONSPIRACY CoNGR Ess.

To such as have, for the last five years.
been writing on the subject of cheap postage
and the chief ground of opposition, it is more
and more obvious, that there is in Congress
determined conspiracy to defeat, if possible,
any system that would elevate the people to
a level with their public servants, as to mail
privileges, and especially elcctioneering privi-
leges.
When, four years ago, the demand became
loud from all parts Of the land, partial yield
ing Of franking power, as well as partial
reduction of postage, was granted.
But when this promised favorably for still
further reduction, members became alarmed
at the growing idea of equal rights and privi-
legcs, and; bya very silent ''act," again
greatly enlarged their franking power-virtu-
ally extending it, with respect to everything
in the shape of Post-ofice burdens, through
| out the year.
Moreover as if ashamed to have it appear
in the regular bill on franking, they inserted
in an "14ct to establish certain Post-rouies,n
approved March Sd, 1917 clause ordain-
ing, that 'books, procured or purchased, by or
der of either House, shall b. entitled to be fran
ked," by members!
In connection with this law, thus smuggled
through, (and which can be silently used for
the distribution of unnumbered volumes to
those whom it may be expedent to conciiate
with such presents,) it appears the Senate
have recently, in single instance, purchased
trclrc thousand copies of ''Col. Hickcy's' late
volume of $40 pages--occasioning an expense
to the country of about screutecn hosusd,,d
dollars!
Such impositions on an unslispccing peo-
pie are constantly practised-burdening the
daily mails from Washington with tons OF
Volumes pamphlets, documents, and even q
Senatorial newspaper, printed at the public
eXpense-besides unnumbered large packa
ges of Circulars and ordinary letters, illegally
franked and distributed by members for the
favorites!
Efforts have been made in vain, by tn,
Postmaster General to suppress such abuses
The result has been that the Senate, within
few weeks, have passed a special bill, a
dapted to perpetuate and increase this demon
alizing practice of franking for Others and b
heavy penalties to prevent al exposure:
The truth is, that such abuses, daily COZ
rupling and hardening the conscences {
members and their friends, ncrer can be SUI
I. pressed but by the total abolition of all frank
= ing power. And those who hold this powt
, will not yield it up nor gran, rates of pos,aa
6 on letters and newspapers that shall be Il
6 most equivalent TO it for all, till Petitions iroi
I every quarter shall show that the demand
. becoming universal. as it was in Great Br
q tain.
, There letters are now carried for Il priin
3 and newspapers for nothing; and yet va
: has been the increase of mail correspondence
that it brings in, over all expenses, upwart
of 81, 900 900 annually.
ne are much more reading and writ,
frank no volumes or letters and. as Rppvb
l'eans, entitled to equal privileges with o
rulers, we would all rejoice to try the che;
system, even though ii might, for fe
years, occasion some tax on the general tre
: sury.-N. Y Mirror.