The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-05-25
A NEW POSTAGE LAW.

We see that bill is before Congress tc change
the present postage law, increasing the rates on
newspapers and letters. We hope it will fail
every editor in the country ought to protest against
1t. 1t doubles the present postage on newspapers
and nearly doubles letter postage The excuse for
this Is that the treasury is low, and the p O. De-
partment don't pay expenses. But the treasury
docs not seem too low to prevent an increase of
navy and army officers pay; a bill has Just been
introduced to increase the pay of the former If
retrenchments are to be made let it not be done
at the sacrifice of the convenience of the peonle
The Government ought to be willing to lose some
thing IN order to accommodate the people with
mail facilities. Instead of increasing the rates of
postage and lowering the compensation to Postlnas-
tiers, members of Congress had better reduce expen
ses III other departments ofthe government If the
bill passes it will injure every newspaper in the
United States Besides, it will be almost impossi-
BILE to get any one to serve as Postmaster 1t
Is hard matter now to find person willing to take
charge OF the country Post Offices, and when man
is found who will act, it is only done from a dis
position to accommodate his neighbors. Instead
Of lowering the compensation to Postmasters, pro-
'lSlOH DC 10 increase especially at
small offices.
n Washington correspondent of the Standard
explains its provisions as follows:
''Mr Hunter chairman of the Finance committee has
introduced in the Senate bill Of considerable import
ancc to the public, proposing to amend the several
IN relation to the Post Office Department. The main
provisions of the bill to change the
postage, that for every letter, package parcel
exceeding half ounce in weight shall be charged fire
cents for any distance under three thousand miles, and
for any distance exceeding three thousand miles,
cents. For double letter, double these rates Every
letter, package parcel exceeding half in
weight, shall be deemed single letter, and for any
weight over that additional single of postage
shall be charged. All drop letters for delivery shall be
charged cent each and advertised letters
each Ill addition to the regular postage. The for
printed matter to be, for each newspaper periO
CAL not exceeding in weight three ounces,
part of the United States the postage be paid
quarterly IN ddpdncc, either the office where mailed
or where delivered. Newspapers and periodicals not
exceeding ounce and half in weight when circula
ted in the State where published ha these
the postage to be paid all transient printed matter
The bill further provides that deputy postmasers shall
receive commissions in lieu of the compensation
cent any between 500 and $500, 334 per cent
between $500 and $4,000, 80 per cent and any
amount over s. 400 l23 per cent.
The bill also provides that hereafter printed mat
ter, in parcels weighing than three ounces, shall
be transmitted in the mails free Of postage except the
Presidents annual message and accompanying docu-
mcnts and the Report of the Secretary of the Treasury
which pass heretofore under the frank of persons
entitled by law to that privilege