The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-09-26
MINORITY REPORT

Washington, d. C., august 30, 1850.
MINORITY REPORT
REDUCTION OF LETTER, PERIODICAL, AND
PAMPHLET POSTAGE.
CHARLES DURKRE from the Committee the Post Office
and Post Roads, made the following Report;
The undersigned, minority of the Committee OH
the Post Office and Post Roads, have carefully
examined the Petitions, Memorials and Reso-
lutions, on the subject of reducing the rates of
Postage on Letters Newspapers, and Period
icals, referred to said Committee and respect
fully ask leave to report
The subject is one of vast Importance to the
best interests of our widespread Republic; and
differing, as we do, from a majority of the Com
mittee we feel it due to ourselves to Congress
and to the whole country, that we state fairly
ana Candidly our 'vfe%s and the reasons which
compel US to recommend uniform rate of tnro
GEMS, prepaid on single latsrS and a reduction of
the present rates of postage on newspapers peyiod
cqls pamphlets, and bound hooks.
The history Of the introduction and establish
ment of cheap postage in Great Britain, is proba-
bly, familiar to every one. To Rowland Hill, that
great benefactor of his race, are Great Britain
and the world indebted for this important dis
covery and the people of that country have
gratefully rewarded him for his services in the
cause of humanity. Shortly after its establish
ment in Great Britain, in 1910, the attention of
one of our own citizens, Barnabas Bates, was at
tracted to the consideration of this subject and,
as carly as March, in the same year, he oommenc-
ed the advocacy of cheap postage, believing it as
well adapted to the United States, as to Great
Britain.
The character and advantages of the system of
Rowland Hill were explained by him in a series
of articles and lectures in 1871 and 1912 and,
aided by the powerful influence of the Press, he
succeeded in getting up public meeting in the
Merchants Exchange, New York lin 1913, where
he presented a series of resolutions; and COM
mittee was appointed to petition Congress for
reduction of postage.
The plan being novel, a few only believed it
practicable, while the mass of the People, and es-
pccialy the Post Office Department, denounced
it as ruinous and visionary. From that period to
the present, the people in all parts of the United
States have, every year, sent in their petitions,
asking Congress to reduce the rates Of postage to
a uniform rate of two cents, prc-pdm. Hundreds of
thousands of citizens, embracing all classes
farmers, mechanics, tradesmen merchants, law
yers, physicians, and clergymen - have joined
ia this request, without regard to divisions in
politics OF religion. Never were the People more
ing upon Congress for the adoption Of this great
measure of reform.
la lS45 an important reduction was made in
the rates of postage and the change of charging
on weights, instead of pieces, was most beneficial
and salutary reform for the Post Office Depart
ment and for the People
This was not however, considered chSGp postage;
and hence petitions have been sent to Congress
every year. praying for the adoption of n uniform
rate of ,cO ceniS. This is deemed ctedp postage,
and with no other rate will the People be
satisfied.
The law of $40 was passed in opposition to the
expressed desire of the Post Office Department,
and not without great hostility on the part of
many members Of Congress, who predicted the
"ruin of this branch of the Government !" " that
half the Postmasters would resign, and none
would be found to take their places that the
postal facilities of the sparsey settled portions of
the country would be curtailed, thousands of
post offices discontinued for want of revenue, and
the Post Office Department thrown on the Treas
uary for support What has been the result ?
Let us look at the facts Has there been any diff
fcuty in finding suitable persons to fill the places
Of the postmasters who may have resigned Have
any post routes been curtailed, post Offices dis
continued on account of the reduction of postage2
Has the revenue of the Department so fallen of
as to throw it upon the Treasury for support
On the contrary, the post routes have been In
creased, according to the last report Of the Post
master General 23,763 miles, and the annual
transportation of the mails, 5000, 800 miles, since
lS45. The number of new post offices established
up to July, 1850, is 5 29S the revenue of the
year iSi0 increased to greater amount, by
sl46, 900, than had ever before been collected in
any one year by the Post Office since its estab-
lishment and, after paying all its expenses there
remained S69l $50 81 as a surplusage Of that year
and on July |, 1850, there were SS5S,7lO37 to
the credit of the Department.
These are facts which cannot be disputed.
They stare us in the face, as contradctng all the
dolorous and alarming predictions OF the oppo-
nents of cheap postage, when the subject was first
agitated in Congress. This statement of the pres
ent condition of the Post Office Department pre-
sents striking contrast to that contained in the
report of the Hon Messrs. Dana, Grinnell, and
jerks, presented to the House of Representatives
in May, lSli
Under the operation of the old system Of high
charges, to which the Department and many men,
bers of Congress at that time chung with unfinch-
ing pertinacity, the report states that the ex-
penditures Of the Post Office Department, from
1910 to lSi3, inclusive exceeded the receipts by
S56S 600 and the number of miles of post roads,
in the same period, had been diminished l3 $40
miles" Notwi, hstanding these beneficial results
VI
some who, not having examined the subject no
doubt honestly believe that a further reduction
to uniform rate of two cents, prepaid, will
prove disastrous in its effects as was predicted
by the opponents of the law of 1915
Many hesitate to support the measure, fearing
that it will not pay the expenses Of the Post Office
and that this will furnish an excuse to the De-
partment for diminishing the privileges they now
enjoy, and prevent their extension to other places
where they are needed. But, in reply to this
objection it is only necessary TO state that it will
be the duty OF Congress TO provide for any def
cheney which may arise from the adoption of cheap
postage for one or two years and very small
amount, with the surplus now on hand, will be
amply sufficient to meet all the wants of the De-
partment, in maintaining and extending the postal
facilities of the country.
A large amount, computed at nine millions of
dollars, is now due to the Post Office for the SER
vices it has rendered to the Government, without
charge; and surely Congress will not hesitate to
appropriate, II necessary, small portion of that
sum to afford tho People the blessings Of cheap
postage
This subject should not be dismissed without
an examination in financial point Of view
Some may think that, as the present rates of
postage have proved 20 successful, we had bet
ter continue them as they now exist or If any
change is made proceed cautiously, aud adopt
FIVE cents and others are willing 10 adopt three
cents, pre- paid, and five, il not To neither Of
these propositions willing TO sccede, because
they are at variance with the petitions of the Peo
pie and with sound policy.
The millions who have petitioned for tmo cents
will not be satisfied with the above rates nor
would these measures, IL adopted, yield 10 the
Department the revenue which two cents pre- paid
will produce To those who fear that IL would