The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-20
Letter to Hon. 4. J. Rusk.

WASHINGTON. January 10, 1852.
DEAR SIR The House OF Representatives having pass
ed bill 10 amend the act entitled can act 10 reduce and
modify the rates OF postage in the United States. and Tor
other purposes" passed March 3, 1881, which will be
referred 10 your committee, permit me TO submit few
remarks on the same for your consideration.
The design OF that bill is TO obviae the complaints
which have been made against the present rates OF post
age on newspapers. periodicals. and printed natter
being complicated and burdensome. In some good de-
gree accompshes this object; nevertheless amend
ment 10 il will make il less perpexing posmasters.
more useful TO the press and acceptable TO the people, and
ultimately increase the revenue of the Post Office De-
partment
The first section Of this bill limits the maximum weight
Of newspapers periodicals., and printed matter 10 tao
ounces, as single rate for cent The present law
allows three ounces and has complained against
it, Why this has been changed to two ounces cannot
tell The bill, as first reported by the House committee,
made the single and half ounces " but in this
amended bill the weight is reduced 10 tDo
Let the effects of this change OF weight, and the
rates of postage imposed by this bill.
There are several daily and weekly newspapers besides
large number OF periodicals. the weight OF which does not
exceed three ounces; among these the Journal oil
Commerce, Courier and Enquirer, Liel's Living age.
Waverly Magazine, Gleasons Pictorial, Literary Museum,
&c. Sc, each OF which will be charged double postage,
or two cents in consequence of this change of weight
either TO reduce the weight by printing inferior paper,
resort to private to circulate their publications.
The former mode will operate inuously both upon pa.
per-makers and subscribers, and the latter deprive the
post Office OF the collected this description OF
mail matter. This is one of the bad effects resulting
from change of weight
Let me illustrate further the pernicous and burden
some effects OF this bill. daily newspaper weighing
fraction over two ounces, if through the post Of
flee ten miles less, out OF the State where published
will be charged dollar and fifty five cents per quarter,
dollars and tioaty cents year but ii the postage is
not paid quarterly in advance, il will then be charged
three dollars and ten cents per quarter, or ,oue dollars
and fory cents per and if ii is sent three
thousand miles, the postage will be these rates
This is cheap postage with vengeance. Our California
brethren will think slender merces are cruelty
if this bill passes in its present form.
When any OBJ ecs to a measure it is reasonable to
expect that he will offer something better substitute.
would, therefore, respectfully suggest the following
being in accordance with what have contended for in
years past:
Newspapers, periodicals, and all printed matter, not ex-
ceedng three in weight, shall be sent any part
of the United States for cent and for every additional
once fraction of ounce cent? and paid quar-
tery yearly, in advance, either at the office where
mailed delivered, discount of one half shall be al
lowed. Newspapers and periodicals not weighing over
shall be charged half OF these rates The
postage transient matter OF every description shall be
prepaid.
These rates would be plain and easily understood by the
pos,maters would bring everything into the mails. and
be universally approved by every portion OF the Union
Il would avoid all the verbage and disputes about
tua subscribers" "ofce of publication" and the dis
tincion without difference, frequently made between
newspapers and periodicals, which have given so much
trouble to the posmaters, the press, and the people
Very respectfully, your friend, &c.,
BARNABAS BATES
To the Hon. T. J. RUsK, Chairman of the Committee on
the Post Office and Post Roads