The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-30
The Reduction of Postage.

In the Republic, of the 2lst and 22d of DC
tober, we presented concisely our views upon
this proposed reform, and the attention which
country but manfests the deep interest that is
felt in relation to it, That Congress will pro
coed to act upon it at an early period in the
next session, we sincerely hope.
In the adjustment of the details of any
scheme proposed, there may at first be con-
nictng views; but as the object aimed at by
all is the same-viz: the accommodation Of the
people by selfastained Department. do
not anticipate any difficulty in the progress
Of legislation upon it.
In one of our former articles, 10 which we
have above alluded, after recommending the
lowest possible rates of charge upon newspa-
pers, and especially within their counties of
publication respectively, we remarked that we
saw no good reason TO discriminate between
other kinds Of matter. In reply to this we have
received communication from one of the most
enterprising and influential publishers in the
United States, who claims that periodicals
should be favored above other descriptions of
matter He has also transmitted to us copy
Of memorial on this subject, signed by thirty
four publishing firms Of the city Of New York
We take pleasure in placing before our readers
the substance Of their petition. 1t is as fol-
lows:
That they regard with favor the reduction Of
postage on letters and newspapers; q but that any
preference given TO newspapers over periodicals is
min fpcN,cdfcpG nd IN.
ticabc Unjust because both are alike essential to
the people at large. Inezpedient, because nothing
would be gained to the revenue Of the Post Office
Department by any encouragement to ether and
impractica6ie, because, by little ingenuity on the
part Of publishers, periodicals Of certain size are
easily made TO within the definition Of
newspaper, and be taxed with netcspaper postage
only 3. That the only just rule in fixing the rates
Periodicals. TO tax them according 10 their toeight
and that haT cent an ounce for oil distances will be
ample TO remunerate the Department for their
transmission, while such n reduction will be sure
vastly TO increase their circulation throughout the
country. (. That the privilege now allowed to the
publishers Of newspapers 70 send their bills 20 sub
scrbers in tho numbers ought TO be granted 10 the
publishers Of periodicals. g. That free exchange
between the publishers Of periodicals, and between
them and the publishers Of newspapers, should be
allowed the same as ia now allowed between the
publishers Of newspapers only. 6. They regard
with surprise the reduction of postage on bound
books contained in tho bill recently reported by the
Post Office Committee in the Senate, 10 one cent an
ounce for all distances, while periodicals are by
that BILL TO remain taxed with postage Of . cents
for the first ounce, and ono cent for every subsc-
qucnt ounce; thus giving preference over period
csls not only TO books bound in pamphe, form, but
also to books fti bound, whose weight in leather
| and pascboard forms ono hall the entire weight Of
the book T. Half a cent Is equal 10 about
one hundred and Eighty dollars ton, and certainly
this ought TO be sufficient TO carry, on routes al
ready established, periodicals freight, from ono
extreme of the Union to the other, and also pay all
charges and commissions TO postmasters and others
through whose hands they may pass.
We assent to the first Of these propositions
To the second we do not assent The netc,
| Of The Dig or ueek should be facilitated 10 thu
,dmoa possible erieHi. Our argument is, thai
| the people desire to have il so.
To the third we assent, if applied to period
Gals, and object if applied to newspapers, be
cause the latter are necessarily mailed in a
| damp state because the use Of good, thick pa.