The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1861-03-07
The Postal system at the South.


well as the time of the Congress, and we
may add that, SO far as the public con-
venience and the interests Of commerce
are concerned, there is none more worthy
of their consideration. 1t is one full OF
difficulties and most complicated in its
practical operation, and has from the be-
ginning Of the old Union puzzled the
brains of our wisest men.
The now Confederacy is now called
upon to deal with the question, and ori-
ginate plan from the lights of experience
which shall answer the ends in view, by
subserving effectively the public wants.
1t will be found difficult, if not an i'm
practicable, task, provided the people OF
the Confederate States are expecting no
abridgement of the facilities heretofore
enjoyed We think they should prepare
themselves for q reduced service, for
time at least, and until the new govern
ment shall have recovered from the inan-
cial pressure that must necessarily attend
the changes through which we are pass
ing. We cannot accomplish everything
in day, and must be reconciled to the
inconveniences incident to our condition.
We think the people are prepared to fore
90 much, and to sacrifice much. For a
time, at least, we do not see how the coun-
try post offices can be maintained. Ex-
cept on main lines, where the large mails
have necessarily to be carried, one post
office to county, and that at the capital,
will probably be the extent of our mail
facilities. The defciencywill have to be
supplied by neighborhoods clubbing to-
gether and establishing regular commu-
nication with these central points by
means Of private mail, to be brought to
some convenient point for distribution.
Another probable change is in the mat
ter of postages. 1t seems to be generally
understood that the rate on single let
ters will be raised from three to, at least
five cents, and in like proportion for
heavier matters We are not prepared to
advocate this increase as the true policy
the new Confederacy. While all other
public ourthcns are to be increased, it is
questionable whether or not an increase
in the amount of postage would result in
Il corresponding augmentation Of the rev.
enuc from that source, or even in any in
crease at ALL This is a day Of cheap
things, and most people would rather
write two letters at six cents than one at
five cents. On the other hand habits are
not readily changed even when they are
not necessary, and habits Of business,
prompted by interest, arc apt to continue
even in the face of an additional expense.
Many wise heads arc inclined to the opin-
ion that the revenue would be materially
increased By fixing the rate at five cents.
These things may be regarded as hard
ships, and will undoubtedly be the subject
of numbcrIess complaints, but they will
be borne cheerfaly by the great body OF
the community, under the reflection that
they arc necessary to maintain the South
in the Independent position she has as
sumed among the powers Of the earth.
1t is stated, we presume upon authori-
ty, that under the late Government, the
cost Of the postal service in Georgia
amounted to, in round numbers, s353,0O0,
and tEat the receipts into the Treasury
from the same source were slGS,OO0,
leaving a deficit to be met by the appro-
priations of $4,000. Should thece figures
be anywhere near the truth, it is evident
we must, for the present at least, forcgo
many advantages we have heretofore en-
ioycd, or retain them at a cost which we
are wholly unable to bear.
The abolition of the ranking privilege,
among public officers, which seems gen
orally to have been agreed upon, is Il good
measure, and will save the postal service
of the new Government from one great
embarrassment l. should be done by all
means; nor is it necessary consequence
that the burthen of postage on a heavy
correspondence on other peoples affairs
should fall upon the representative. In
convcrsing with an intelligent friend on
this point some days ago, he suggested Il
plan by which this whole difficulty, so
formidable in all past movements against
the franlling privilege, may be effectually
removed. 1t is simply to let the constitu-
cnts prepay the postage on letters adj
dressed to his representative or other pub