The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-12-27
From the Baltimore Patriot. Dec 8.
REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GEN.
ER\[.


The revenues Of the office more than iustifi
the predictions Of those who advocated the re
dnction in the rates Of postage. In The last fis
cal year, the gross recpi pts were Sl,37l.077.
being an increase Of Si25, "a on the preceding
year. and exceeding by $6,445 the annua
average Of the nine years preceding the Ist o
July, lS45, (when the reduced postage went
in'o operation thus demonstrating that under
the low rate Of postage the receipts are in
creased.
The letter postage amounted TO $3.50, BOA,
exceeding that of the previous year S291,79I.
The newspaper postage amounted to $767,-
33l. being an increase Of Sl24,l74.
The number Of pn<t offices on the LIST July
last was lG,l59, being an increase during the
y"ar of l,0l3. Th, number Of Offices estah
lished was 1900. The number discontinued
! 296.
1t is estimated that the expenses of the de.
partnent for the next year (ncudng the sums
paid for carrying foreign mails in steamers)
will be S4,746.s45; and the rerrps are esti.
mattel at 1921 ,40l. leaving an excess of re.
ceipts over expenditures Of S464 4,5S2.
In view Of these results, the Postmaster Gen.
eral enters into an examination of the question,
whether further reduction in postage ought
to he made, aud he arrives al the conclusion
that it should. aud recommends
That the rate of postage on letters be FIVE
cents per half ounce or less, for all distances.
That newspapers be weighed, and pay a, the
rate of one cent per ounce.
Periodicals and other printed matter, two
cents per ounce.
Letters sent to foreign countries, fifteen cent.
the half ounce.
The total abolition Of the frankiug privilege
The prepayment of the postage on all let.
tiers, newspapers an other matter sent by mail.
A change in the term of the Office OF Post
master General, SO as to make his appoin,mcnt
hold for number of years. he being subject 10
removal only by Impeachment; aud the ap. |
pointmen', by him, Of his principal subordinates
or deputies for Il like term Of years. In case
Of the removal of any subordinate or deputy. the
fact and the causes of it to be reported to the
Senate.
The uniform rate of postage will commend
itselfIo general favor. There is no reason
why letter carried three hundred miles should
be charged FIVE cents postage, whilst a letter
carried three hundred and one miles is charged
en- cents. The actual cost of carrying il in
he latter case may be, and is often, less than
n The former; but the cost Of carrying single
etter is not, and cannot be, the basis oil the
:harge upon it. The areroge cost is what is
o lie regarded.
The pre- payment of postage is good sug.
,eslion-but it ought not 10 be absolutely re.
uired. II the rate were three cents on letters
re. paid and FIVE cents on letters not pre- paid,
il The advantages Of the cash system would be
ea'ized by the department, and its actual re.
enue increased.
In connection with the proposition 10 charge
ewspapers by weight, Mr.. Johnson makes this
uggestion -
This would lead to discontnuance of the 6
ractcc Of drpos;ing newspapers in the mails ,
efore they are dry, which renders them more
able to injury, and their weight is great in.
rcased from the dampness of the paper.
The absurduy of this suggestion is SO mani.
st TO any one who has any practical knowledge
newspaper printing, that every one must re. J
ret that in some way or other, men who have d
ractical Information of this matter. and others
hch their business gives them, were not con. !,
ected with the department. Mr.. Johnson does -
OF know, what he ought to have ascertained {
eforc he formally made such suggestion,
lat the paper mus. he "wet" before it can be
rinted upon-that the printing is necessarily
Dne at the last moment before the departure of
lie mails and that there is no time 10 stop TO
ry the sheets, which, if it were attempted,
'ould occupy more time than even the printing {