The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-02-06
THE EXEMPTION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS
FROM POSTAGE.


writing to us on business, throws out suggestion
or two worthy of consideration:
q am sorry to see that county ana thirty mile
proviso for free papers in the Post Office bill as it
passed the House,
"The roads radiate from cities in such manner,
and the population near cities is 30 dense, that
about one-half or more of all newspapers printed
in the country will 20 free. 1t will make an
odous distinction, especially obnoxious to all res
idcnts lust beyond the thirty mile limit from
every city. County privilege might claim some
plea in its favor but cities are generally in small
counties and thirty miles will reach an incredible
number of Offices outside of the county. Half
cent is low enough but if not, make it so, or 20
cents for So copies but let all mai! matter pay.
81 had hoped to find an expression of dissatis-
faction to that feature of the law in the Era;
Christian Caizm Ohio Evangelist; Indepe"dent,
New York; Saturday Visun; THINE, &c, but
have been disappointed. Perhaps prudence or
delicacy may have caused to be withheld any ex-
preston of disapprobation on the part OF those
papers, as their circulation IS so difuse that thst
feature will operate against them"
We formerly opposed the policy animadverted
upon by our correspondent, but the local press
seemed to regard it vital to its interests; and
our position was such as necessarily to render
our opposition liable to the imputation OF mere
sel6shness. For these reasons, We concluded to
say nothing more on the subject.
As it is brought, however, directly to our no
tice, we must express our concurrence with the
opinions of our correspondent. 1t may be right
TO charge less upon newspapers carried only thir-
ty miles from the place of publication, but we
- 10 ,,,a for
ing Somebody has to pay the cost of transporta-
tion-and is it right to charge this upon those
who neither take nor publish such newspapers
Nor do we believe that the local pgsSSscsTTimina-
ierior in ia iaafTs~or 1t has advantages that no
metropolitan newspaper can have-the official
patronage of the county or district the local ad-
vertising, the local news, &c. And, then, its
expenses are comparatively light,
Besides, as our correspondent suggests the
newspapers of the large cities after all would be
the greatest gamers by such n policy as their
circulation in the dense population encircling the
cities is immense. Is it right to burden the mails
with such an amount Of free matterl
But, there is one consideration that addresses
itself particularly to the self interest of our
friends Of the country press. When newspapers
cease to yield any revenue to the post office, the
postmaster will cease to interest himself in the
extension Of their circulation. A county news
paper is sent TO n dozen offices or more within
thirty miles; the New York EUening Post has
subscribers at all of them. The former pays
nothing the latter a cent and half or cent on
every number. The postmaster has commission
on the latter none on the former. With the
increase of the list of the Posi-, his commissions
increase but the more papers received from
the county press, the greater his trouble-and
he gets no pay for it, 1t is his interest 20 dis
courage the circulation of the latter and promote
that of the former If we were the publishers of
n country newspaper, as matter OF selt-interest
we should insist upon the policy of charging some
postage on our issues.
"La all mail matter payn This is under pres
ent circumstances a sound maxim. The postage
bill, as amended by the Senate, discriminates
in favor of newspapers circulating within the
State or Territory-half cent postage being
charged on them, one cent on newspapers crcu-
lating beyond the State or Territory where pub
lished. We should have no objection to see a
further discrimination in favor of newspapers
within the county where published-for instance,
say charge of l5or 20 cents year, or on SO num-
bers. This would probably conciliatc the post
masters, and give them an interest in promoting
the circulation of such papers.
Our local circulation is insignificant of course
The District--fye miles square-furnishes no
patronage that will be increased by relieving
the Era from postage within it's limits. Still, we
are quite willing that others should enjoy the
benefit of the DISCRIMINATION proposed, only let
all mail matter pay something.