The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1850-12-21
THE PROPOSED CHANGE or NEWS
PAPER FOsTAGE.

/ Theprejeoi Of the Postmaster General, for
changing the rate of postage, q based upon
very unequal grounds, IN some respeets.
There IL not proper discrimination rccog-
nizrd Ia taxing postage upon newspaper
none in regard 90 size, on the distance they
may be- carried, The rate h not in proper
ton 90 the expense oftansportadon, L. this
respect it i unjust, not only 10 tho Depart
monti bat severely 70 20 The local or country
press; and IL not ~ designed, Is decidedly
partial 70 the city press, We cannot but
hope Congress will refuse a. sanction HE plan
Of rating postage upon newspapers, ia re-
ducuou could be- effected 60 ~ or cents q
year upon papers Transported 80 or 40 miles,
and a. so cents for distance Of lO0-and 10
so cents for any distance over 100 miles
nr "a rates something like these there would
be-. justice iu the law and the privileges Of
none violated, Il would bo singular If the
country members Of Congress should boz 10
blind ~ "a give thcir assent 10 the scheme
'raAelrrd f'y the hca'l Of the Department.
the scheme proposed by city publishers Tor
their exclusive brncGL
Two thirds Of the members Of Congress
represent the country interest, aud tlcy will
but consult the Interest Of their Immediate
constituents by voting down tho proposition
Of the Postmaster General, and II ans change
1sururc, make iturdu riTWu equal Tflnci-
pies,
The views of the Argu. aud Spectator as.
expressed below ngc about right
lftho government can Afford 90 reduce the
-'r'-'' tfi' tTr-VT1lHIIrTT7 MN VIZ MINK " rHUT
justice should be- done Ia every class Of the
fommuuliy II the postage on newspaper,
transported hundreds uf miles can bee rctuc-
cd "a one ccuLthc postage oh those transport
cd hut twruty or thirty miles can aud should
Zoe reduced a. one fourth at cent or even
llI liz -lnal- L. -. t-s...!.
tnd equality. The postage ou Snpcrt sent
but short distance has ever been unrrasuu-
ably high II should he tolerated mo- longer
Local papcra have l,,,oin, mn article of no
ccsgiy to the community They convey cy-
cry species Of luaal intelligence IN which the
community have q dccp and direct interest
Every man who docs not take loual paper
il unacquaiuicd with the things that arc au-
" transporting IN The community IN which be-
liyui. ln tbs enlightened aye, thcy arc In
N-ifiNf ffNN NNfNNA VT AllNlN lNNh VT NNlAW
the debating club or school room. They
should be cheap enough "a be- within the
reach of every individual, however pour or
humble. Government should do everything
IA 10 power not to impede bat To increase
their circulation. Il ,hould reduce the pos
tngc ON papers sent hut short distance ~ u
low rate. II would lose no revenue aud be-
Of rrrat advantage 20 the people hy So doing
Most OF the country papers, in cons qucucc
ortho present high postal rates often amount
ing to one half the Subscription price, are
sent 70 Subscribers 10y private conveyance,
thus dcpriving tie Post Oiirc DEPARTMENT
Of any revenue While government has Law
ishcd IT, hundreds of thousands in transport
ing the limits ~ foreign countries ia war
stcawcN, 10 inrrca,c the. intercourse and |
cheaper The postage or a few wealthy mci-
chants in the large cities, it has done nothing /
ia THIS respect ior The great lol, OF. the pco- I
pie. rciorm should bc effected. The /
country press should not only apiiatc the sub |
icct but The people through INSTRUMENTATION
should make known their wishes. II this is /
done Justice will not much longer be- denied .
them