The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-12-06

Another excellent article in favor of this very de-
srable and popular measure appears in the editorial
columns of the Washington Republic. The editor
says
We regard its adoption important means
of promoting the welfare OF our country-ot taclll-
tating commerce, of aiding the growth OF kindly
feelings between the people of regions remote from
each other, and Of encouraging the general spread
of intelligence.
But the proposed postal reform is demanded also
by the principles Of justice, and the judcious con-
duct of the Post Office Department. 1t is but just
that our Government, since it has assumed to per-
form the duty should transmit all descriptions OF
mailable matter on as favorable terms as it would
be done by companies and individuals in the alb
sence Of national Post Office Department. Does
any one believe the present rates to be as low as
private enterprise and competition would render
them2 We sure not; nor are they as prohta-
BILE to the Department as lower rates would prove.
The data we haze heretofore given will demon
strate this
The carriage Of the mail from point to point,
however is at present hardly the most considerable
part Of the expense of the Post Office Department.
The processes Of mailing, and delivering and keep
ing accounts add much TO the expenslveness OF the
establishment. In proposing the reduction OF post
age we propose also simplify these operations
as to greatly abridge the expenses attendant upon
them. The pre- payment system will, TO great e&-
tent, 0bviate the necessity of accounts throughout
the whole establishment The use OF stamps will
prevent fraud on the Department. Dispatch in the
operation Of mailing will also proceed from uniform
rates, and the abolition of debts and credits be-
tween the different offices, and between the several
offices and the Department
While retrenchment internally would thus he
superinduced by these reforms, the expense of car
rying the mails would be by no means increased in
proportion to the increase III the quantity OF malta
bic matter. The generally agreed upon new rates
are
l. A uniform charge of tw0 cents prepaid on all
letters weighing half an ounce.
2. Newspapers one cent each to any part of the
Union.
g. Periodicals and pamphlets one cent an ounce
A, Publishers allowed fifty per cent discount up
on the prepayment of postage, and publishers of Pc
rodicals to enjoy the same privileges as publishers
of newspapers.
5. A radical reduction of postage on Ocean, Dr.
egon, and California letters.
Two cents per ounce may be assumed as the
mean charge, according TO these propositions. This
would yield thirty two dollars per hundred pounds
hundredand sirteen dollars and eighty cent?
per ton This looks like adequate price, and the
augmentation of the mails consequent upon dimin
ished rates, would so materially increase tn,
amount of transportabe matter as TO occasion vas
profits upon the carriage on the larger roues-mor
than sufficient SO compensate for any deficit occa
stoned by losses upon the smaller.
The opinion has always been entertained tina
the Post-office Department should be self sus
tanning institution but it is now deemed unjus
that it should be required to do more than sustain
ITSELF This it has always done, encountered
has been by excessive rates of postage. 1t ha
rendered to the Government in past years, gratui
tous services TO the value of nine millions of dol
lars; the Government is also indebted to it in tn
sum Of one million of dollars; and we informe
that the sum of one million is believed to hav
accumulated within the past year, Thus clever
millions Of dollars may be said to have accrued b.
right to the Department of the excessive charge
oil past tmes--at how great wrong and inconve
nience to the people is understood by few. TIL
primary object Of the Department will no longer b.
lost sight OF The eyes of the people are open t
their true interests; an enlightened Congress-nov
that In mercy the portentous storm has passed by
will not turn deaf to their appeals and the
President and Postmaster General it is confidently
believed, will use the influence Of their exate,
stations to promote an object so imperativell
demanded by the voice and the interests of tn
nation