Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-12
SPIRIT OF THE MORNING PRESS

The Eatsiiigeneer extracts sensible article
from the Philadelphia Ledger against the views
In connection with rostal affairs of those who
are for having the Government do every thing
Tor every body "free gratis for nothing" and
makes equally sensible comments on it. 1t
quotes as follows:
"They want the postage reduced to a uni
form rate of two cents letter and free dis
tribution Of letters in cities. As the present
rate OF three cents letter does not pay the
Government the cost of maintaining the pos
tai system, but brings the Department into
debt several millions every year, it is not
likely Congress will reduce the rate and make
the post office an additional charge upon the
Government. The meeting passed resolutions
In favor OF the money order system which
Is said to work admiral bly, in England, and
alsy one against compulsory prepayment
and in favor Of charging double postage ON
mail matter not prepaid The pref paid sys-
tenn has reduced greatly the amount of dead
letters, and saved the Government in this
way considerable expense The few inconye.
nlences merchants experience, through their
own neglect to stamp their letters, ought not
70 be sufficient reason for abolshinp 30 good
regulation
VI these remarks the editor says as follows:
We concur in the sentiments of the above
article. We think our present three cent
rate OF postage for carrying a letter three
thousand miles is low enough. Considering
the amount OF service rendered, ours is by far
the lowest postage in the world and COM
pulsory prepayment, we are satisfied is n
most excellent regulation. We think the
Ledger Is mistaken in stating that the meet
ing In Boston passed the resolutions presented
to 1t for that purpose. The resolutions were
very properly referred to a committee, who
are to report at a future meeting and we trust
tnat the committee will examine the subject
thoroughly before they venture to recommend
any essential modification of our posta ge laws
especially with regard to letters.,'
The Union says of the confirmation Of the re-
nomination of A. G. Seaman, Esq, to be the
Superintendent Of the Public Printing:
1t affords US unaffected pleasure to make
the announcement that the appointment of A.
u. Seaman, Esq, as Superintendent of Public
PRINTING, has been unanimously confirmed by
the Senate. The opportunities of the senior
editor of the Union during the time that he
was printer to the House of Representatives
Tor becoming thoroughly acquainted with Mr..
Seaman's qualifications for the Office were so
abundant, and his conviction as TO the iptep-
rlty, hdellty, industry, and ability with which
ne discharged his duties so decided that be
could not but feel surprise and regret when it
a.
layed on account of charges of dereliction in his
Office.
We knew that, like most officers who adj
here rgidly to the line of their duties, Mr..
Seaman bad made enemies, and that he had
been the subject Of injurious rumors, but we
were satisfied that they origin ated in selfish
if not in malicious, motives The result of the
investigation by the Committee on Printing
proves that we were not deceived For three
weeks the committee has been laboriously en-.
gagged IN taking proof and investigating the
entire 0felal conduct Of Mr.. Seaman. The
utmost latitude was given to his accuyers We
doubt whether any public officer has ever been
subjected to- more searching ordeal. This
was not only cheerfully acquiesced in by Mr..
Seaman, but courted as the surest means of his
complete Vindlcstion. We understand that
Inc report OF the committee was unanimous
and that it fully acquitted him of every charge
and secured from the Senate his immediate
and unanimous confirmation"