Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-09

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B AS The act of the 3Oth August, 1852, fixing the
present rates of postage on printed matter, took
effect the LIST October following fair compari-
son can only be instituted between the revenue Of
the two last fiscal years, through the whole of
which the existing rates OF postage prevailed
This shows that afler giving to each year the
liberal allowance ofthree-fourths of the one-cent
stamps sold, the year ending June &c. 1854, ex-
ceeds the previous year only 90 45100 per cent.
In this act there is clause which provides that
when the postage upon any newspaper or PEE
riodical is paid quarterly or yearly in ADVANCE
one-half only of the regular rates shall be charged.
In view of the trivial increase Of the postage on
printed matter, and of the extremely low rates,
particularly for newspapers and periodicals, II
would recommend that the law be so far changed
TO omit the clause referred 10, leaving the DE
partment TO fall back upon the act of 1925, under
which quarterly payments in advance on news
papers and periodicals have heretofore always
been required. The propriety Of this recommend
alton will be apparent not only for the reasons
above suggested, but also from the following COM
parative statements Of facts Under the act in
operation prior and mp 10 July 1st 1851, the post
age for instance, on weekly newspaper when
sent not over one hundred miles, or any distance
in the State where published, was thirteen cents,
and when sent over one hundred miles, or out of
the State where published, nineteen and half
cents quarter. BY the act of March Sd, 1851,
six different rates, according 10 distance, We're es-
tablished. Thus, on a weekly newspaper, for any
distance not exceeding fifty miles, 1--WE cents a
quarter; over fifty, and not exceeding three hun
dred miles, ten cents over three hundred miles,
fifteen cents over one, and not exceeding two
thousand miles, twenty cents; over two, and
not exceeding four thousand miles, twenty-five
cents over four thousand miles, thirty cents a
quarter and weekly newspapers 10 subscribersin
the county where published were made free. BY
this ac the postage, il will be perceived for any dis.
lance not over one thousand miles, was greatly
reduced; but owing 10 the diversity Of rates-thc
TOO great reduction for the shorter and 100 great
increase for the longer distances-its modification
was at once called for, and this resulted in the
present law, by which the quarterly rate on any
weekly newspaper or periodical not exceeding
three ounces in weight sent any distance in the
United States, is only six and half cents. On
newspapers not exceeding one and a hah ounce
in weight, when circulated in the State where
published, the quarterly rate is still half less
being only three and quarter cents and weekly
newspapers 10 subscribers in the county where
published, go free. cannot avoid the conviction,
that had il been clearly understood that the aci
of1s25 required payment quarterly in advance on
regular newspapers 10 subscribers, and that the
effect Of the cluse in question would be 10 reduce
the postage on the great bulk Of printed matter 10
rates exceedingly low, Congress never would
have given its sanction 10 the measure. II nv
Recommendation be adopted, the quarterly post
tAoNn--<~1
rodicsl not exceeding one and a half ounce, cir
culated in the State where published, (and in the
same proportion for moro frequent publicaiions,)
will be six and a half cents and when not over
three ounces in weight, sent 10 any part Of the
United States, thirteen cents a quarter The
newspapers TO subscribers living in the county
where published will continue 70 90 free.
The expenditures Of the current year ending
June 30, 1885, owing 10 causes NOT within the
control OF the department, viii greatly exceed
those OF the past year.
In my report Of the ist December last had
the honor to state that the commissions allowed
10 postmasters by the 9th section Of the act 10 es
tabsh certain posl-roads, &cs approved Sd March,
1853, had proved insufficient at several OF the dis.
iribuiing Offices TO defraythe expenses necessary
10 their efficient administration; and 10 remedy a
state OF things injurious 10 the service, then
recommended the restoration 10 the Postmaster
General Of the discretion given him by the 9th sec
ton OF the "Act TO reduce and modify the rates OF
postage" approved March 3, 1851, so that he might
have 4 in his power 10 allow TO the postmasters
al such distributing Offices the means necessary
TO defray expenses. Al the same time Itook oc.
casion TO say, that while this power should be
given 70 meet the exigencies Of particular class
Of cases, not exceeding twenty in number, there
were abundant reasons why larger share Of the
hostages should not be diverted from the general
purposes Of the department Upon representa-
lions subsequently made, il was deemed expedent
70 ask enlargement Of the power above men
Toned 70 far only to embrace few separating
Offices situated at points eracting great labor and
sfording bur nominal compensation 10 the In
cumbents. Careful estimates were made by the
Auditor Of the increase of expense necessary 10
relieve the few distributing and separating Offices
which might, upon investigation, appear 10 be
Justly entitled 20 aid from the department, and
the conclusion that the whole amount could
not exceed $4,000 per annum. at
This sum would certainly have been sufficient
10 cover all proper demands for additional aid.
But the views Of the department. did not prevail,
and Congress passed the act of June 22d, 1854
fixing an increased scale of commissions, and
raising the aggregate CONFORMATION Of all the
posimasters in the United States, not less than
100000 per annum, thereby increasing the ex-
penditnres OF the depaumcst 10 that amount, in
stead Of 1000, as had been recommended. The
expenditures Of the current year for compensa-
tph TO postmasters," clerks for ofices,o &c, |
will be further increased by the operation the 4fh
and 9Th sections Of the actof 9Th Jolly 1854 making
provision for the postal service in the State Of
California and the Territories OF Oregon and /
Washington. BY the 9th section Of the act, the |
Postmaster General is authorized and directed 10
allow IN the statement Of the accounts Of post |
masters IN California and Oregon originating pre-
vious 70 the Both June, 1852 Fall Just and reason
able expenses incurred by them in and about the |
business OF their respective Offices and the dis
charge OF their official duties provided, that no |
sslloysnee ,sball be made whereby the United |
whatsoever" The balances due from The late |
and present posimssiers in CsIifomis and the |
Territories OF Oregon and Washington, subject 10 |
the operation Of the 4th and 5th sections Of the
act Just meptioned, amounted, on the Both June,
1884, 70 si64,l4 Al, Of which sum IL Il estimated
that not less than $4,000 must be cancelled under
the provisions OF the Sch section, and carried into
the general accounts Of the department as expen-
diinfcs OF The current Year. r, = $3.50 $3.50 /
in addition 70 the burdens thrown upon The re- |
venue Of The department by the general increase
Of Inc compensation OF postmastcrs, and the spe.
cia legislation for those in California Oregon and
Washington Terriiories the cost OF transporting
the mails will be greatly increased in fhe present
year by putting new postroutcs in operation, by
The enhanced prices demanded in The very large /
section ei 70 contract from the Lat July last and
~ Impoflaas Improvements n the grades OF SER