Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-08-08
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This revenue is lost to the Department un-
der our present miserable system, or rather
want of system, of letter delivery in cities.
The loss in time to the public in our cities
and towns by the present mode Of letter de-
livery is enormous, and almost beyond the
power of acurate estimate. His bill propo-
sed one important reform which has not been
adopted, to wit the abolition of the Frank
ing privilege. Here is what Mr.. Hutchins
had to say in regard to this abuse.
8. This bill abolishes the present franEing
privilege, and provides for the payment Of
Government postage o1St Of the Treasury. 1t
provides, also, that members of Congress
may send public documents, published by Or
der of either House, at such rates of postage
as are charged on transient printed matter,
and that the postage shall be paid from the
Treasury, as may be provided in appropria-
ton bills. The benefits of the present frank
ing privilege enjoyed by the people are thus
secured to them, and they will know what it
costa useful item of information. Under
this bill members of Congress, like the 'srest
of mankind" will pay their own private
postage, and the abuses of Congressional
franklng will cease. The franking priYil-
ege is a stumbling block in the way of pos
tai reform, and begin TO despair of its re-
peal unless in the modified form provided in
this Bill.
In relation to Mr.. Hutchins' Bill the Bos-
ton Board Of Trade passed the following
resolutions.
"Resolved, That in the Judgment of the
Government of this Board, the code of postal
law of thd United States should be framed
with reference, principally to four things:
First, simplicity Of plain and detail; second,
equality between citizens in private life;
third such rates of postage as shall prevent,
as far as practicable, excess or deficiency of
revenue; and fourth, prompt action with
valuable dead letters aud with all missent
and misdirected ones.
'tResoLUed, That experience under the acts
of Congress March 8, 1S45, of March 3, 1851,
of August 80, 1852, and of March 8, 1856,
by which, collectively rates were reduced,
some progress was made in simplifcation,
and several odious and unjust provisions
were abolished, toghther with the marked
success Of the existing system of Great Brit
ain, warrants fifth experiment in the same
general direction.
'.RSsoLred, That we approve of such
changes in the present code as shall equalize
the rates Of postage on both written and
printed matter; as shall establish uniform
method of letter delivery in cities and towns;
as shall create a Post Office Money Order
system; as shall abolish franking, except in
the official correspondence of the Postmaster
General, deputy postmasters, other postal
agents, and mail contractors; and as shall
provide for the payment of the Government
postage out of the Treasury.
''RsSoLUed, that we approve of the hrst
section of the bill (H. r. No. 266) referred
to the Committee on the Post Office and Post
Roads, Feb. 10, 1862; and that we give our
hearty assent to the general measure of re-
form proposed in the sections which follow.
'sRSsOtred, That copy of the foregoing
be transmitted to Hon. Jacob Collamer,
Hon. Schuyler Colfax, Hon. John Hutchlns,
and to the Senators and Representatives IN
Congress from this commonwealth.
This Bill was the result Of much severe
labor, and reflected great credit upon its
designer-I cannot perhaps better close this