The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-07-31

which are included the rates on newspapers
Besides, what reason can be imagined why this
indulgence should be extended 10 periodicals pub
lished in the pamphlet FROM rather than to those
published in the folio form? Is il said that peri
odicals are specified in distinction from newspa-
pers7 tits equally true that they are specified in
distinction from mgg0zms hooks; and how are our
pOstmasters, or even the Postmaster GENERAL him
self, with the Attorney General TO help him, to
discriminate between periodicals and magazine
books? IL seems very manifest that the term PERI
OdioaIs, in the passage first quoted from the law,
was thrown in for much the same reason that the
Athenians erected an altar TO tie pkNowH God, to
be sure that none should escape; while in the
latter II is used in the most comprehensive sense
including everything published periodically, at
intervals not exceeding three months This may
be small matter, so far as II affects a humble in.
dividull like myself; but 1t is a very important
matter as respects the community at large IL is
certainly important to those who have the misfor-
tuue TO live three thousand and FIVE hundred
miles from their office Of publication who are
taxed enormously for their newspapers by this
bill As you are tolerably good at unravelling
kn0tty questions, MIR Editor, will you look AT
this matter and tell ~kNt yea think ahout n 8.
foi DO not wish to grRm5ls unressonabIy.
| would call attention TO another point The
| law says:
| - ~ ohau DC the uuty OF the fOBtmaSJer " enc
raj to provide and furnish to all deputy post
masters, aud TO all other persons applying and
paying therefor, suitable postage stamps" &c. In
the General POstmsster's eVelLaT IL is stated
these stamps will be furnished to one or more of
the principl postmasters In each county, who will
be required to supply the other postmasters in
their respective vicinities upon being paid for The
amounts JurHishedn Here is not merely an evasion
but direct UioldiiOn Of the law. The law, in the
plainest possible terms, requires the Postmaster
General to furnish these stamps TO all deputy
pOstmasters. He coolly tells the public that he
shall do no such thing he shall furnish them to
one or more Of the principal pOstmasters in each
county and the others may furnish Themselves with
them, If they choose TO take the trouble, and pay
| for them The plain intention Of the law is that
these SJamps sdan be furnished in ample quautny,
In every post office. This intention the Post
Tnsssc- G~s&syy ,--rr = IT, ect It< -
poor grace that he viii be able TO complain Of vio-
lations evasions Of the law II any should occur,
when he Is the first to set the example
1t Is to be hoped that our next Congress will
Thoroughly revise this law, give us CHEAP postage,
and make its provisions so plain, that aoiidIy L.
SeD lift happens TO get installed in the Post or
hce Department, will not be able to misinterpret
it Ii seems the Postmaster General made these
decisions, "after consulting with the Attorney
Generslp Had he consulted common sense instead
Of lanyer, doubt not his decisions would have
been more accurate. OLD GEAUGA.
yyl,