Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1850-06-19
CHEAP POSTAGE BILL.

CHEAP POSTAGE BILL.
The Post Office Committee of the U. S.
Senate, Of which the Hon. Mr.. RUsK is
Chairman, have presented report on the
subject Of the reduction Of The rates of post
age, accompanied by Bill providing for
the establishing Of the same by Saw. The
rates set down in the bill are as follows:
Sec. l. Half-ounce letters, two cents for
any distance within the U. S., if pre- paid.
and five cents if not prepaid.
Sec. 2. Provides for boxes of deposi.e.
and carriers din large cities, at one cen, per
letter, prepaid.
Sec. 3. Newspapers same as at present.
Handbills to be charged letter postage.
Sec. {. Franking privilege abolished
Expenses of all Congressional matter to be
charged TO the contingen, fund, and to be
paid out Of it.
Sec. S. The Postmaster General to draw
upon the Treasury for all Deficiencies under
certain limitations.
The above is brief synopsis Of the new
Postage Bill lately reported in the U. S.
Senate. 1t will be seen that it is proposed,
by the Sd section OF the bill, to continue the
heavy clog upon the country press, by which
its usefulness has, in great measure, been
restricted. We are opposed to this pro-
vision, not only from personal interest, but.
because we believe it unjust and unequal,
and against the interests OF the whole coun-
try. Our government was formed upon the
idea Of equality, and it is justly the boast Of
every American citizen; yet we see dis
position, on the part of some Of our legisla-
tors in Congress, to aid and assis. the large
and already overgrown newspapers Of the
cities, by giving them every advantage they
could ask, to the manifest wrong and in
Jury Of the country press, which it is we'll
known, owing to its devotion to local af-
fairs, must necessarily be supported within
the county or congressional district, where
it is located. Surely it is not right .ha. the
patrons of country newspapers should be
required to pay the same amount of tax, for
the support of the Poss-office Department,
with those Of the larger journals of the cities,
which are transported much further and at
vastly greater expense to the department.
We had hoped that, in the Bill so anxious
Iy looked for, some remedy for this I'M
equal taxation would have been proposed.
1t is the wish Of the people. They desire
to see their local papers have fair play shown
them, knowing the advantages they derive
from them, as the medium by which their
business wants are made known, their po-
lilical meetings called, and matters general
ly of local character published. The
mammoth sheets Of the cities can be af-
forded much cheaper, because of their wider
circulation, than the sheets we issue. But
of this we do not complain, for we acknow-
ledge their right TO enjoy any advantage
they may possess in this respect. !. is
against the undue advantages afforded them
by the government that we protest
We trust the Bill will not pass as report
ed. We think it should be amended SO as
to make the tax equal, and this is what the
country press throughout the United States
demand. 1t would be well, dou,less, if all
newspapers could 60 through the mails free
II would difuse the means Of information
more thoroughly, and tend greatly to en-
Tighten the masses-objects we'll worthy
the care Of Congress.
These remarks we have thrown toge,he,
hastily and without that reflection the sub.
ject should have. ]. is to be hoped, how.
ever, they may have their mite Of influence
in securing our rights. We shall have more
20 soy on this subject at another time.