The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-23
Reduction OF Poetagc-The Postmaster
Generals Report.

From information which we have received from
Washington, as well as from the givings out Of the
newspaper organs OF the cabinet throughout the
country, there seems to be no doubt that great
portion sf General Taylor's forthcoming message
will be devoted to the subject of postage, and that
be will recommend reduced and uniform rate, IN
lieu Of those now in operation. IL also appears
that the report Of the Postmaster General Is on the
high road 10 completion, and that II will show that
department Of the government TO be in very sound
and prosperous condition, with surplus to Its
credit Of over half million Of dollars. THIS fact
carries with it the best argument that could be adj
duced in favor Of cheap postage. It disposes at
once Of all the objections which Cave Johnson
and the opponents Of cheap postage generally made
when the combined voice Of the people reached
the halls OF Congress, few years ago, and de-
manded a reduced rate And this surplus of half
million Of dollars and over, at the end OF the pre-
sent fiscal year, would be increased sixty thousand
dollars but for the abuse of the ranking privilege
by certain members Of Congress, that sum having
been paid by the department for the delivery of
dead matter forwarded under the Thanking prlvl-
lege
We arc pleased to hear Of the admirable working
Of the new postage law, and we have no doubt that
the information which will be laid before Congress,
at the ensuing session, by the Message OF the Pre-
sdeni. and the Postmaster Generals Report, will
Justify sill further decrease IN the rate Of post
age. II was argued. before the passage Of the pre-
cent reduced rate, that the Postoflice department
would be a burden on the treasury-that it could
not support itself il the reduction were made but
the result shows the same state Of things IN this
country. as followed similar measure in Eng
land So far from the Post-oilice department in
either country being a drag on the people, it has
become IN both a source Of revenue, notwIth-
standing that IN England there is uniform rate Of
only two cents. or on~penny sterling Ia, we
must not be satisfied with stopping at this point.
We must 80 farther, and Congress ought at the
next session 10 reduce the rate still lswer. TIE
experience which we have gained in the working
Of the new law, will justify the steps and we hope
Congress will make a still greater reduction,
whether II be recommended or not by the Pfesi-
dent or the Postmaster General. The rate should
be uniform on both letters and newspapers, and
fixed at as low point as possible. People may
differ in opinion as TO what this lowest poiat should
be, but We are satisfied that a uniform rate Of
three cents on letters, for any distance, would
amply psy, en-, te.imburse the department for all
tAIfhr'r w H'NHldpciHs We shoNiu e"Fs 'h~
cent would be quite sufficient, for any distance
over one hundred miles, and hall that sum for dis
tsnces under one hundred miles. la both eases,
the payment Of the postage should invariably be
IN advance. This would make the transportation
Of the mails cash business, and would enable the
department to dispense with half the number Of
/ clerks and assistants which are now employed,
\ besides rendering the accounts easy Of adjust
ment, and settlement free from doubt and In
tricscy.
These are our views on the changes and re.
forms that should be made IN the rates of postage,
at the ensuing session of Congress. They may
coincide with those of the President and of the
| Postmaster General, and may be recommended to
Congress, for their adoption. But whether they
are or not, or whethert they will be recommended
or not, we are certain that they embrace the views
Of the great bulk of the people, who will demand