Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-12-15

Baltimore, about 10 600 annually and at PHI
| ladelphia about 2,6O0
Tfeach Office averaged bnt one daily, low
estimate the whole number iG II wear would be
/ 5 sos O35 which a, thr rate of one cent would
be S5G, $50 If pre-paym, ut BE- not required,
then dead letters. papers aud pltnplets shou'd be
returned to the writer or Publisher, aud the pay
mcnt of double po@agss, IA well a. the cost Of
advertising, be required Of them. Bat little in
convenience would be felt by the public, since
the adoption Of adhesive stamps rs the eviden ce
of prepayment OF letters, and their use would
soon become general, il authority was given To
sell them at slight per cent discount at the
Department. so as to make it an object TO sta.
TONERS and other traders to keep them Oh hand
for the accommodation of the public.
The pre- repayment IF official communications
from the executive branch of the government is
now made by specific appropriation annually.
Similar provision might be made for the cgisla-
tive branch, or IA specific sum allowed each
member to cover official communications to
and from them.
The prepayment Of mailab'e matter at the
proposed low rates, would not it is believed. ma.
terially diminish the number OF letters sent in
the mails and in conneSiun with the general
use of the adhesive STAMPS, would simplify the
transaction q business in the oiiicts the settle
Iment Of their accounts, AID concentrate The
funds Of the department At the centres Of busi-
ness in the different sections of the Union where
the money is wanted. and in a great degree
avoid the hazardou, incident to the collection
and tr,n-mlssiun of funds to the places where
they C IN be made available.
Other suggestions for the improvement of the
act OF Si5 have been made in INV former re-
ports, which deem II unnecessary to repeat
1t may not be Inappropriate to remark that
those connected with the administrative dntie.
of this department, could not but have ob.ervec
that there has been, for some years pas. streno
: feeling pervadng the country, that the sys,eT
, had been conducted by an organized cnros. ex
, tending throughout the Union into every neph
bnrhood, under the control OF politicians at the
seat Of Government. welded with the view n
promoting party purposes and party orpaniza
ton, rather than the business and social inter
e,s it was created to advance: that it. Office,
were bestowed as the reward of parlizsn servi
ces, rather than from the merit and oualifca
tons of those selected aud that each presiden
tial contest is TO produce new distribution O
e the oliceS and hence embtered political con
tests are excited in almost every neighhurhood
e DECENTRALIZATION IN their tendencies, aud niuri
on>ly affecting the purify of electinns Will,
r such apprehcnSons are entertained nv respec
= table portion OF the cummuuijy, a want Of con
;. idence' in the honesty and correctness of til
II officers, however poor and upright in their cor
/. dnct, soon shows itself, seriously injuring tn
n business Of the Offices and bringing dlscredit o
If the system itself.
h The Post oiiice system was designed for has
r ness purposes, for the cultivation of the soci.
d and friendly feelings among the citizens of Ii
II different sections ct the Umcn, and should be
d no wise connected with the party politics Of /.
:. day. This " Il give that degree of coHiidenC
f III us agents necessary to render It the mo
# useful 10 the people. There does not seem an
i reason why this business and social agent of Il
Il p'npe should be- more connected with them. TIA
e the officers Of the courts al Justice ar the d
= counting officers of the goyernm mt; if it we
n believed thai the latter officers priormed the
@ lies assigned them with view to the at.yanc
>. mcnt OF party purposes, pub &c opinion won
!. soon correct the evil, if the Post O lice we
alike exempt from political influence ami par
Is contests. public confidence would b. mai
u tanned, and the best interests Of the system pr
- NOTED.
n 1t may be well worthy Of consideration,
Tee objects would be advanced, should t.
>. Postmaster g neral BE- nominated by the Pre-
ID dent 10 tie Senate tor specific term Of year
Ie be separated from Inc cabinet, and only rempy
: able by impcacnGIaut And the appointment
IF the principal subordinate Officers too like ter
n of Year. b. given 10 him anAlo provide that I
ID removal should be made except for good Al
IN sufficient cause To he reported to each sessic
Of tie Qnalc.
m CAVE JOHNSON, p. W General.