The New York herald., 1851-12-23

presents to their friends Of packages of stamped
envelopes; and tho offence is one of daily occur.
renee In Washington. Nor is there really any
N Tor where s the Inference %sG
frank-I mean far the frank self ia concerned
There Is none. Nevertheless, IL Is not within the
meaning Of the law, and, therefore. propose the
SS made Cor
dollars per year, including every department Of the
general government.
Let the Postmaster General, therefore, issue
printed stamps, appropriate TO- the several depart
as long as the appropriation holds out. The stamp
for Congressional matter might have signette Of
the Capitol, with the words, Congress of the
the President might have the White House for Q
signette, with the words, "Executive Department
Free" upon them. Similar devices for the War,
Navy, and other departments could be introduced,
and these appended to letters and packets in the
same manner as stamps are now used, would secure
them passage through the mails without any fur
ther trouble-the mailing postmaster charging the
postage, whatever it might be 10 each instance, to
the proper department, or, all this might be avoid
ed by assigning particular denominations to the
stamps and using them accordingly. A great deal
labor would thus be saved, inasmuch as the mes
sepgers who now fold and pack documents ana
speeches for members of Congress, could also affx
the stamps upon them. To be sure, some members
would still like to have their names on the etSer or
packet, to let their constituents know to whose
be done just as we'll With the stamp as without it.
Il would AXE no difference whatever.
would abolish the franking privilege SO far as TO
prevent its travelling with the persoo enjoying it.
1t IL an ofeial privilege and should only thus be
used while at the seat OF government conse luenty,
the city of w ashington would be the only place
where franked matter could get into the mails, in
less State Legislatures also made appropriations to
supply themselves with stamps. All matter seat to
persons enjoy ing tie privilege while at the seat Of
government, should, as now, be delivered free,
charge being made against the proper department
accordingly: l think this plan of conducting the
frankpg privilege would answer every pur pose; at
any rate, it would be great convenience to several
Of fmy friends at w shington, now aspiring to the
clerical force employed directing documents for
them.
would abolish entirely the free hange of news
papers among publishers. They arejast as able to
ali fudge to say that they should be exempt from
it. They should be placed On the same footing with
others, not because they happen to be publishers.
but because they happen to be individuals -"fesh
ment has no right to make distinctions in their
favor. never did believe in laws working
in any other than general uniform, and i'm
partial way; but | do believe in their going
right straight ahead, leaning neither to the
right nor to th left, dealing out equal and exact
justice to a. nen-grantipg favoYs 70 none" The
free exchange Of newspapers has, moreover, become
a serious abuse, Every patent medicine establish
thousands and thousands OF newspapers containing
their advertisements thus received free OF post
age. There are probably not less tlan one 7adred
such establishment in the United States, cash re-
ceiving an average of 1000 papers each per week
This gives 100000 weekly, aud 100000 yearly -
which, at twenty cents postage per year, EACH gives
$4,000 OF the 6S5 daily, th-waOkly; and semi
weekly papers published an average daily exchange
Of 100 papers is received by each, making The daily
aggregate 62 800, and the yearly aggregate % Sl2
800 The postage, at the rate Of sixty cents per
year for daily papers, would amount to S37 300 OF
the 2,3O0 weekly, monthly, and quarterly papers
published, avers 90 weekly exchange Of at least
200 is received by each, making the weekly aggre.
gate 400 GOO, and the yearly aggregate 239D 900.
Rating the postage at twenty cents per y ear, for
weekly papers, the amount ia S92 900. Here, the n,
is aggregate of 1900 received from psstages
on exchange papers now sent gratuitously through
the mails.
OF course would abolish the fool hardy privilege
forced upon county nowspapsr publishers Of slioS-
ing their papers to pass free in the mails within
specific circuit. Such privilege rather iujures
than benefits the IN but whether it does CT
not, the government has no business 10 DO their
work 1T the expense Of others. | would likewise
prohibit the apce OF papers over post roa'6s
to be delivered to subscribers outside Of the mail
Such papers as the HERALD, Swa, Jrsb4ne. a1i
mes crc cuated by thousands in all the ci.i,s
towns within a circuit of Two hundred miiss Tle
convey ed over raiirosd in the trains taa
convey the mails, and there 10 no earthly rsas0 ;
why they should not be subjected to pos;4ge Ter
my system, especially as IL would not enhance the
yearly cost 10 the subscriber, nor would il mate
rally reduce the circulation st points who're deise
ries might be established These two poins
formed, further item OF revenue would be sccu-ed,
amounting 10, at least, one hundred and fifty tnou-
sand dollars per annum.
UNIFORM RATES or POSTAGE.
recommend, under my systam, scale of ra'es
rs follows For any letter weighing u1der half an
ounce 40 cents to all parts OF the United States
prepaid not, at the option Of the sonder For the
purpose Of securing prepayment, however, as Far
ctic nh haze sho,tI hs
lope introduced, having the word paid inprnted
upon II, and containing on The back, seat side,
few simple suggestions as 10 directing letters, ali
to the rates Of postage for letters, newspapers,
books, and transient matter This would serve .
conspicuous advertisement, and would, no donbt,
prevent many Of those unfortunate failures lowing
out Of misdrectoLs and general ignorance Of postal
affairs, SO peculiar ts the ser yice. Tne envelope
should, moreover be stamped with the words, "to be
delivered promptly" They shorld be sold in large
small quantities at every post office, ., two coats
each, and this would secure the passage Of tho lot
tor and It's delivery to the person addtcssed free Of
velope, should be two cents, whether prepaid or
not, and would not call for delivery to the person
addressed-beyertheless, delivery should be made
With the taine proraptuess a. il saoh envelope
used but one cent additional should be charged for
the delivery The delivery should b. paid for ont
Of the post Office funds, at tho rate Of ABOUT ifteea
per cant, aud presume tha, at least s3j 900 on.
OF the sb5,OOO annually spent for advertising, with
the additional saving ofsome $50, 900 no annually
expended IN the dead letter service, added to this
commission, would prove than sufficient TO pay
for the delivery Of all letters ,nt tIed - IL. For
letters weighing than ha II an ounce two cent,
additional should bo charged, unless four cent en-
velope should be used, watch would thus include
the envelope and lac delivery service.
For circulars, unsealed, weighing less than one
ounce. one cent, for all distances pre- psid-to be
reduced TO seventy.6ve cents per hundred, IL more
than one hundred OF the same circular be brought
at the same time and to hfty cents per hundred il
more than one thousand be bought at the same
time, to secure delivery as letters Circulars to be
ccnfned to enc sheet of paper, unless the parcels
are identical With the matter OF the main sheet.
Handbills, newsparers, &c, one cent for every
three ounces Of wei sht, for all distance 10 be pre-
paid, With reduction q oBe-helf when sent in
quantities Of over 600
Botks and packages, not exceeding FIVE pounds
in weight, for any diIiabce, i've ssuts per pound,
plJsb.e in advance, IL not ordered by the party
sjdre ssed. To ascertain when susl mater Is o.
dsr,d OF not, the sender shoald b. required 10 en-
sl l.. 4.