The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-02
From the Journal of Commerce.
Cheap Postage Meeting.

meeting held on this subject at the Merchants
Exchange, George Griswod, esq in the chair
The following gentlemen were appointed vice presi-
dents, viz; James e. King, Depeyster Ogden Stewart
Brown Moses Taylor, Mark Spencer. VIM. H. Brown,
J. Philips Phpnix, Hamilton Fish, Moses G. Leonard,
Fernando Wood John McKeon Marshall c. Roberts,
William Tiebout, Stuart F Randolph, Charles IL Hall,
and VIM Gibbs McNien
The following gentlemen appointed secretaries,
viz; James b. Murray, Moses H. Grnne James Brooks,
r. {, Weimore Townsend Murray, and John Lormer
Graham.
Mr. Graham read report from the Cheap Postage AS
socallon' which we annex. MIR Lewis Tappan read the
resolutions.
Mr. Lewis Tappan read extract of a letter from the
Hon. MIR. Goggin, chairman of the Committee of the
House on postage and post roads, in which he stated that
bill was about TO be introduced into Congress esab-
lish universal rate of postage of three cents on each
letter for all distances prepaid newspapers exceeding
300 square inches, cent under 900 inches and
over 500 inches square, half cent; under 500 inches
one quarter OF cent; and for all magazines periodicals
&c weighing but one ounce, two cents each, and one
cent for each additional ounceayment in all cases to
be made in advance The bill will also provide for the
issue of postage stamps from quarter of cent up
wards, Tins communication was received by the meet
ing with decided applause.
The meeting was briefly addressed by Messrs Ogden
Brooks and Evans. and the report and resolutions
unan mously adopted
The friends OF cheap postage have for congrau
ation for SO decided and respectable manifestation of
public sentiment in favor of this great measure of reform
Report Of The Directors Of The Nsac York Cheap Postage
Association
The Directors of the New York Cheap Postage Asso.
citation beg leave respectfully to make the following re-
port:
That the association organized on the 25h of May
1S4s, and in order TO carry the objects for which it
was formed, they caused circular to be distributed
m
tases OF cheap system OF postage, and the Importance
OF active exeron 10 accomplish this object the present
session OF Congress; They have likewise caused to be
prepared and printed pamphlet containing a statement
OF the exelons of the friends of cheap postage in this city,
and the arrangements which they have made TO bring this
subject before the public, in order to obtain their ope-
ration This pamphlet embraces also interesting stats-
tics relating to the effects of cheap postage both in this
country and Great Britain This publication has been
extensively circulated IN this city and in different parts of
the Union.
In order to ascertain and TO present to Congress public
opinion on this subject the directors have caused large
number OF copies OF petition TO be distributed among
our cZens and already thousands of signatures have
been obtained and forwarded to delegation Scarce
~ an individual TO whom is presented refuses to Sign
IL; and we have never witnessed such unanimty of
opinion among our citizens on any subject. ALI rich and
poor Old and young, male and female of every class and
condition IN life, eager to obtain cheap postage The
directors have Likewise prepared circular, to which is
annexed petition, urging upon fellow citizens the
necessity OF applying to Congress adopt system of
cheap postage and other postal reforms and if the funds
OF the association will warrant it, they intend to send
copy TO every professional and distinguished citizen
IN every State and county in the United States request
Ing eac one to sign the petition, and to obtain the sigma
lures OF his friends and neighbours and then forward to
the members OF Congress from his district
Hitherto the labor and expense in accomplishing what
mas been ELECTED, have been borne by very few nd
vduals but these extended operations of the association
require much eXertioa and large outlay of funds con-
sequeny they now look to the friends of the cause TO
supply them with the necessary enable them to
accomplish the great objects which they have in view
tn I'M
postage on the consideration OF Congress from the fol-
lowing facts
faE 81 sfo edqa Se4 hf Haies
The revenue of the Post Office Department more than
equals ITS expenses the paying letters have increased
from % millions under the old rates to So millions the
asl year II we add to this number the free letters
amounting at least TO TENTH there must have passed
hroug the post office SrtY-three millions of letters
SUCH has been the success of partial reduction of post
,ge ana what may we not expect when it shall be re
through the post oice The increase of letters and the
evenue has been so great that even the Postmaster
en Ths NAV 3 Be- uniform rate Of five
ens Of cheap postage especially Wien Triumph BY the
ACT mai he voted against the bill in Congress- and after
BENG appointed Postmaster General, he predicted this
measure would prove runous to the Post Office Depart
nent Happily his predictions not verified, and he
S now compelled to congratulate its friends upon the
complete success OF the measure.
2 Another encouraging TACT which the directors would
'oce IN this report that the Hon Messrs Niles and
'oHGll, cldrmen OF the committees on the Post Office
md Post Roads, have recommended greater reduction
han that proposed by the Postmaster General. These
Gentlemen III favor OF uniform rate of three cents
nus we see that step by step both the Postmaster Gen
,ra and the congressional committees approximating
he rate OF t,co cents which is the adopted by this
and from which they cannot swerye Ii is
believed that the sober second thought of the commit
ee will induce them to adopt the low pettioned for
~ the people.
g. III IS also source OF encouragement to the directors
hat the whole country appears to be awakng to the i'm
)oance OF cheap postage, both the land and on the
lass age, and sex, and hence they readily unite in pet
ionns Congress to grant this boon The exorbant tax
IN letters by mail packets and is subject of
oud complaint and must be reduced, and the etaatory
aw, imposing double this upon the foreign
of merchants and immigrants is burden
)een entertained that the " veyed question" which
'roduced this retaliatory measure would, ere this
lave been amicaby settled, but there is reason to
ear, from information received from the Post Office
Department that it will be some time before the diff
lcultes will be adjusted, especially if present rates
Of inland postage be retained this being the great and
only obstacle to amicabe adjustment of the question
he inhabitants OF large towns and cities dissatisfied
with the want OF facilities in receiving their letters from
and sending them to the post Office They consider il
unjust to tax their letters two cents addition 10 the le-
gal rate of postage when delivered to its address New
9rx tor sSamRs with It's nhspiapls can haze
and from the post Office without expense of two cents
On each letter More than 10000 inhabitants OF this
city live from three miles from any post office. and
subject to greater inconvenience than
many of country villages, which have offices within
)ne or two miles of each other The ranking privilege
so VIGOROUSLY abused, and has become great tax
upon the post Office that the people unanimously demand
Is repeal The recent report of the Postmaster General
exposes in strong and convincing language its abuses and
ne urges upon Congress its abolition. AT the last SEES
i r. A.. n. nE,.f y, x,,tsun