Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-01-12
VERMONT PHENIX.-
Brattleboro, Friday, Jan. IL, lS4o.
Newspaper Postage.

House Of Representatives, by Mr. Goggin, grad
uaing postage upon newspapers according to
their size-while Mr. Greeley, Of the Tribune,
proposes that weight and distance determine the
postage, and objects to the free Transmission Of
papers for any distance.
The country press have long been oppressed
and borne down by the partial and unjust post
age discrimination in favor d city papers.
Newspapers published AT the great central
points can obtain general circulation through
out the country. Wiki the circulation OF local
papers in the nie1or is necessarily confined to
their immediate vicinity. This ability to attain
a large circulation enables the city publisher TO
furnish his paper lower than tho country pub
Usher can afford 10, aud Of course gives the for
mer greatly the advantage. To make the mat.
ter worse, the Government steps in, and carries
The city paper thousand miles for the same
postage that il charges for carrying the country
paper only on, mile. This is an odious and un-
just discrimination. and we have often maryeed
that the country press, which by concert OF ac-
ton always had the power to obtain redress, has
borne it so quietly and 50 long.
1t is desirable, on many accounts, TO have a
uniform rate of postage on newspapers, where
there is any, as Il smplifes the business of tha,
department; and there arc many good reasons
for restoring the old provision, and allowing pa
pcrs to go free within 80 miles Of the place Of
publication. It would do justice between the
city and country papers, and place them nearer
upon an equality.
il might diminish somewhat the circulation Of
city papers, but this would benefit the depart
ment BY osseniug the bulk Of the mails on the
main thoroughlaresi and no fair minded city
publisher will complain, seeing be has the sane
exemption, ant especially, a. be has 80 long en-
joyed the benefit Of partial legislation There
is no profit TO the department in carrying news
papers, even a; present rates and therefore the
elimination would be no los to il
The transportation Of country papers within
the 30 miles would not probably add to the bur
dcns Of the Post Office. for it would make no
difference ia the terms Of the contracts, and the
ordinary mail is usually small, aud # not carried
free, papers would be, and are, in most eases,
sent outside the mail
Besides il is the duty Of Government to facil-
iiaic the transmission Of newspapers as much a.
possible. In England, no postage is charged
upon newspapes-the penny postage upon let
tiers paying all expenses.
We DO not say that it is practicable, or desira.
bic, AT present to carry all newspapers free. II
made free within a certain distance, whirh will
bring local newspaper TO every mans door
without postage, the object Of facilitating news
paper circulation is attained attained, too, in
way least burdensome to the department, for a,
We said before, the mails in the interior Of the
country are light, aud can take the papers with
out additional cost, whereas he accumulation o.
newspapers on the Hr~a, ~ ,ouElfarcs add. ts
the expense Of their Transportation.
Ii the Government make any discrimination
il ought to be in favor Of the rountry press
They need aid, their circulation is necessarily
circumscribed, and their advertising patronage
small, and with these disadvantages they have
to compete with the city papers, whose position
gives them circulation over the whole country
As the profits depend upon the extent Of circu.
laiiOn, they are enabled to put their terms lower
than the country papers can afford, and still
make money.
/ This unequal legislation in behalf Of city pa.
pers, with their other advantages of position and
circulation, bears hard upon the country press
ctiPp!cs ;heis ens,s, and usefulness, and scarce.
ly affords them food and clothing. If there must
be partial Legislation, it is the country and moi
the city publisher who ought to have the benefit
oft.
Local newspapers throughout the country are
necessary and indispensable. A county would
be in worse than Egyptian darkness and heath
enism without newspaper. Local affairs and
business, the civil government of towns and dis
irieis, all classes, pursuits and ayoca,ions, find
their occasional use Of local newspaper neces-
sary, and it is equally profitable to the subscri.
Der and the publisher, that it is ably and Judi.
ciousy conducted. But men cannot work with,
out compensation, and where is the motive to
enterprise, when nothing is to be gained by il 7
Let Government cease its legislative partiali,y
in favor of city papers, and charge them postage
in proportion 10 distance, as it does the country
press or, what is better, restore the law cx.
cmpdng papers from postage within so miles
and new life, energy and enterprise will be in
fused into country newspapers, their outward ap-
pcarance will be improved, and more care, at.
tenIion and talent bestowed upon their coutents
We hope Congress will not adjourn without
abolishng the unjust and oppressive newspaper
postage, and putting the city and country pres.
at least upon an equality.
Since writing the above, we perceive in the
Tribune just and liberal opinions upon this sub
ject, which we believe are MISC entertained by
most of the city press. We are glad to see Mr.
Greeley, who is 50 thoroughly mbued with the
spirit of reform leading of on this subject, for
we know that he is not only sincere and earnest
in his convictions, but will endeavor to give
them practical effect
lie differs with us upon the propricty and pol
ley OF sending local papers free certain dis
lance, without, as we think, assigning any good
reason for it. Such provision would be nearer
equality and justice than the present system, and
would accomplish some certain good.
II would diminish Tho fermentation of laroe