The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-11-27
For the Union.


It has been the wise policy of Congress, from the first
establishment Of the Post Office Department TO make the
postage newspapers cheap 10 facilitate the du-
sion OF intelligence throughout every portion Of
try. When the department was first established, and
the but $4,000 year, newspapers were sent
free of postage After this postage was charged and has
remained about the same 10 the present tme viz
cent in the State where is published, and one and
half cent one hundred miles out OF the State We
have taken the lead of all other nations in low postage
OF newspapers until the establishment OF the cheap post
age system in Great Bain since which the postage on
newspapers in that country has been abolished.
Many persons, and some editors, entertain the
opinion that postage is still charged on newspapers in
Great Britain because stamp duty is paid on paper
but they should Iecoect that formerly there three
kinds Of tax upon newspapers viz advertisements,
the paper and for postage now the latter IS abolish
edno postage being charged Tor the transmission OF the
newspapers by the mails Tor seven days after the date Of
publication.
Although the rates Of newspaper postage in our coun.
try may appear at first view low YET upon further ex-
animation, shall find that they are hgh-much too
high, when compared with the freight charged upon
other articles carried either by stages, railroads. or steam
And shall furthermore see that newspaper post
age is heavy upon the reading community, an OBJ
siacle TO the diffusion OF intelligence, and clog upon the
public press OF our country.
Ii is contended however, by some that The transmits
sion OF newspapers by the mail great drawbac upon
the revenue OF the Post Office Department. that the post
age received does not pay the cost OF carrying them and
that TO reduce the rates would be TO increase rather than
tighten the already heavy burden upon the Post Office
Let examine the subject candidly and then we shall
be able 10 Judge whether further reduction OF news
paper postage not properly called for both by the press
and the people.
For example: The postage on daily paper sent over
one hundred mles out OF the State costs - 65 per annum,
and weekly paper IS cents. Hence we see that a
daily paper, large or small heavy or light pays nearly
half The amount Of the original subscription OF large
papers, and in many cases the postage is greater than
As an excuse for this onerous tax on newspapers, s
said that they heavy and bulky and consequently
be carried cheaper without loss 10 the department
Let US see whether this is the case.
have ascertaRed that weight oil thirteen
newspapers published in the city OF New York, including
large and small is eighteen and half ounces. which is
not an average OF ounce and hall each; conse.
quenily the postage charged is about one cent an
ounce sixteen cents pound, and sixteen dollars hun
dred weight!
The average weight OF passenger at $50 pounds and
his luggage 80 pounds, making 49, pounds, will be
carried by steamer from New York 10 Boston for 81,
and by railroad for s. But for the transportation OF this
weight in newspapers-which may be thrown into any
dark room in the steamboat cartbe freight paid TO
the Post Office is SIS so Hence while lss pounds OF
newspapers pay s2s So passenger s conveyed IN The
steamer and furnished with comfortable berth and bed
for 81 Newspapers pay for their transportation 10 Bos
ton 24 so Than is paid for passenger and his lug
gage OF the same weight Surely such a tax is exorb
an and yet is charged by the Post Office, and actually
paid by the readers OF newspapers
II we compare the postage on newspapers with the
usually charged other articles, equally yalua
bic, by railroads and steamers. shall find
greater disparity than what has been stated IN relation to
passengers.
merchandise from New York 10 Baltimore at the late Of
one d,ilar per hundred weight bat newspapers are
charged sireen dollars. being fifteen dollars per hundred
weight more than is charged by express!
The same company will carry aad guaranty the safe
delivery OF articles ST. Louis Missouri at the rate OF sir
dollars per hundred weight while the Post Office charges
srteen dollars and gives guarantee Tor the sale dev
cry of your newspapers Even il you prepay the post
age, you are not but You will lose both your papers
and your money, and there is no redress
Thus we see, If we compare the tax on newspapers
with the fare OF passengers the freight OF goods, the
difference is immense, and shows concusyey thai such
enormous should be reduced. II reduced fifty per
cent would yield sufficient revenue to pay the cost OF
transportation, the postmasers for their services, and
the wear and tear OF bags, &c.
Poters BILL reported TO Congress at the last session,
proposes TO charge newspaper Of 1900 square inches,
and sent out OF the State where published cent II
delivered in the State, hoif cent and additional rate
If il exceeds 900 square inches Durkees bill rec
ommends uniform rate OF one cent on all newspapers,
and discount OF fifty per cent to publishers who pre-
pay the postage.
burkee's proposition Is the most simple and free
from objections II publishers can afford to PRINT man.
moth or blanket sheets,- the Post Oce certainly
as well afford to carry them. This is matter which will
regulate Itself II has been tried ypubishers aud found
TO be losing business. Few will attempt TO publish
paper exceeding 200 square inches and II they do the