The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-28
LITTER rnoa r1E rosrnAsrER GENERA.

The following lettsr, addressed by the POSTMASTER Gen
s in reply ipierrogatOries propounded by the Com
wes on the Post Once and Post Roads Of the House Of
representatives. explains the views of the department On
pns d public interest connected with the postal sys
TEN; ~
Poa oFfrcE DKrAKrzKsr,
January 8, 1857.
sR: have received letter from your committee under
d1e Of the cath ut asking the views OF the department
90 series OF proposition for change Of postal sys
TOM and taking up these propositions IN their order
reply as follows IS
As 10 uniform postage Of two cents On all letters
not exceeding half in weight throughout the
United States and cheap uniform rate for printed mat
Ter With regard 10 the postage letters in view Of the
great and constantly increasing cost of mail transpor
aon should esteem II very unsrse TO reduces il below
The pesent Of thrce cents which, considering the
amount Of service performed is probably the cheapest post
sgs the world Asrepocts The OF cents establish
ed for letters transmitted 5000 miles which applies
only letters between the Atlantic and Pacific States
perceive good for reduction Forty cents was
The originally established Tor letters between the At
Anc sud Psce and the expense of transportation
this class Of exclusive Of inland convey
ance reaches the annual of $TT9 $50, $45G7l0
more than the department realizes from IL Including
inland postage thereon il appears that the pres
emf rate Of ten cents is very moderate Under the
system Of prepayment it Is equal in its operation upon
all concerned IL is the on persons in ths H.
G that the latter have to pay their letters in
and either side for all letters transmitted less dis
lance than 5000 iis three cents ALSO OF course the
Uniform rate II Pr.csicabe would have the revenues
Of the department deny its legitimate expenses for what
better just rule could be adopted than that they
should pay the expense Of the maid service who alone
Joy the benefit Of itf H-- tho operation Of the tar Is d
rect just and ceftain whereas far any de6ccncy
supplied from the treasury II Is indirect and may and
doubtless does to greater less extent impose burden
On many who do not derive any equivalent advantage
whatever from in return. With regard TO printed mat
ter for regular publications to Subscribers recommend
ed IN my annual report would take the rate established
by the act Of 50h August 1882 without the 80 per
deduction for quarterly yearly payments in advance
The co per cent deduction authorized by that reduces
the postage such publications 30 low as hardly TO pay
for the trouble of collection saying nothing Of the immense
cost OF transportation and the proviso Is unnecessary
asmuch the Of 1875 requires payment quarterly
advance all publications. subscribers On every
article of transient printed matter it would be well
have UNIFORM rae-say one cent for the first three
ounces and cent for each additional ounce fraction
Of an ounce, prepayment compulsory.
As to providing eceving houses aad etter-carriers
In all cities and principal towns without charge II
understand this proposition is to extend to the citizens
Of such cities and towns special privilege which is TO be
withheld from all others that is while they have
their letters sent to and received from their respective dom
cs, from receiving houses in The Immediate vicinity
thereof without extra charge persons residing without
the bounds OF cities must at their expense 60 send
the post Office to deposite and their letters as at
present The unequal operation Of plan would seem
TO be apparent la communities where the population is
compact and settled like Of the States Europe for
instance and where Ill would enjoy the privilege alike
factory but conceive of good which could
be adduced In eupport Of the present proposition ara
aware that as compared with low rate inland let
srs by mail the carriers charge now allowed by law of
two cents etter for delivery appears high and il prac
tcable should be pleased reduced TO sum not
exceeding cent letter in all cities and towns where
the carrier system is may be established At present
in all cities except BoRton here the system is opera
on il has hitherto been found imprGceahe to support
the requisite number OF carriers from the receipts by taking
lower rate than thai authorized by law In Boston one
cent letter has been made par, the population
throughout the ctys Dense and the district assigned
each carrier is comparatively limited in extent But in
case does the department appropriate to itself any of
the money collected for delivery The whole of il goes 10
the carriers for their services
Money orders for sums not exceeding twenty dol
lara TO DO drawn by the principal post Offices on each
other. This Is matter TO which have on every ocra-
SION oil making my annual report devoted considerable at
'enion but owing TO the difficulties Of putting such .
system INTO Euceessn operation and TO the fact that
failed when tried in this country several years ago. have
hitherto bes,a.ed to mmerd it, am however OF
opinion that some plan for the convenient and safe remit
lance OF small sums should be adopted In the beginning
The plan might comprehend only the Offices subject 10
presidential appointmrnt-abcut $40 in number-and 30
soon as it could b. made to work WELL it might be ex-
tended to embrace ut least office in each county
throughout the States aud Territories.
With regard to uniform and low rate ocean post
age between the United States and foreign countries
have to remark that il possible adopt plan to
secure this object the result think could be otherwise
than satisfactory Bat this could be accomplished
without the general concurrence Of all foreign countries
Saes and the difficulty of perfecting such plan will be
apparent when take into consideration the number
governments which have TO he consulted and each
must have share of the postage upon every letter des-
patched either FROM to- through its territory Nevehe-
less advisable 10 approximate possible this
princP and In All the arrangements have made with
foreign countries hare kept it steadily in view In
postal conventions with Bremen end Hamburg have united
In liking the rate at ten cents which includes and inland
postage on both sides by recent order have established
the Bame rate of United States postage to the west
South America; and further partial improvement
would recommend that where not already otherwise adj
nsied the act of 3D. March 1851 be amended as re-
ouce the twenycen rate of that law all
letters to foreign countries without reference distance
ms would very much simplify the details attending for
odstance at present to be determined Now the rate
generally on this class OF letters is ten cents under and
twenty cents for any distance over 1880 miles
o. The postage on all government documents and
ranked matter 10 be paid out OF the treasury On the
subject to which this branch Of your inquiry directed you
VIII md my views fully stated in my last annual
pors. recommend the immediate adjustment of the
ranking privilege or If this is deemed advisable that
be passed authorizing The department to charge the
ordinary rates of postage letters and all printed matter
ch now pass free through the mails except exchanges
between publishers
lhe ABOLITION Of compulsory prepa yment and dou
m postage on all matter not prepaid This in my judg
wound be rctrograde step, and should exceedingly
. see adopted As stated in my Last annual
PiS ,he operation OF the prepayment OF 1855 bss
doe generally highly satsfscory and, the number
our post offers incieasea ii will be found more and
- ssehal not in fact the only BY which the
eues OF the department be protected. There are
ue other minor advantages attending II which come
~ zoe aa.y experience of almost every citizen in be-
nov shielded from the imposition of unjust postage
Resb Which, however tring the amount were always
% ing 30 far printed matter is concerned, the
Thar ,fa. o. optional prepayment does not need TO be fur