Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1850-12-27
CHEAP POSTAGE.

The report Of the Postmaster General (says the
Rockville, MD, Journal) is an able document, and
besides the Interesting statistical information con-
tains. exhibits the fiscal sonserns Of the Department
as highly aonrishing. We have no hesitation in
awarding b the high praise il deserves but We
cannot approYe all that il recommends in regard 10
the suggestions upon the reduction Of postage,
The rsrpst recommends uniform rate OF postage
on newsnspers, without regard 10 locality or dis
lance. IS system would operate disas,rously on
The eoune / press, which has 10 depend for its sup
por. mail.l on home patronage. l, would bring
the city sspcrs in competition with the country
Journals, Which the latter could not stand.
Where il the Justice in making subscriber
within f}v miles Of the place where his paper is
published, pay as much postage as is charged on
paper Published thousand milesofl The eoun-
~ press, Instead Of being projected by the Depart
mrns q. Il should he would thus be deeply, vitality
Injured We hope the wisdom Of the Department
as we'll asef Congress will not infiict so manifest
m injury pn he country press. No postage can IN
farness BE- charged upon papers In The Congress'on
al Districts ID whiehshey are published; they ought
10 be allowed 70 circulate free.
we close The subject for The present, with the fol-
loving sxssacs from,he Howard District Free Psess
which. " aacpe, VII. be quoted BY every country
raper ii liz STATE; having IN interest al stake e'
men spsak out.
a. A eoantIy paper caano, be publishss as etseapp
NJ city aer Of large circulation, and II IS
clinic IN psiseRl econpmy disputed oy none, thattf
ia The faf4ag 81 revenue Incidental advantage can
be afforded 10 weak interests il oagAttc be done.
-"dt msa Be plain 70 any one who will look al the
s1aets IN Inomens that The presses OF the large
cities. Win rapiIaf steam, and lighting al thetC
runimana. viii swallow up the weak country press
vet the PulsIhaster General processes r. place enc
saamm6lA establishment with rs fdaticn OF 50 600
"a a level with The struggling country paper with
ifssew handreds. !
.tsis The duly Of ihegovetnment, 10 guard all the
inaeresk ofihe country. The tendency Of the times
l. Ia Concentrate every species Of business capable
n ID ia eities bus diffusion IS the true interest OF
republie. The plan el Mr.. Hall will make Boston,
New YORK Philaielphia, AID few esher places,
The seass Of he press.
The seeklies Of those cities ans made up 81 ne
mat,er 81 the daily papers They cost the publish.
ers ecmparasively noshing Th,s can be scattered
Seoadcas over the country tnr dollas per year and
the subscription price nearly all gain. 10 Paaee
these on 4 par In point Of postage with The loea
papers Il skd sparsely settled portions Of the Ms
aud s0ash isia drive them out OF existence In many
instances AID - others - 10 cripple them as seri
onsir q aerl1ge their usefulness
Let tie iotai papers circulate free OF postage Ia
The Congressional District Ia which il was pub
lished. aud ioe all o9her distances let eenl b,
ehaFRea and then We shall have a local press sus
iainsd. ana 80 he operation eficieaL
etske country press speak out"