The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-02-23

We rotice that several petitions, which have recev-
e many signatures, re- have been lately in crcu-
ation among prominent citizens here to be
to representatives al Washington, praying for
abolition of the Franking privilege. Whatever
may attend these petitioners, they making
movement which deserves well of all thinking n.
The which formerly made it perfectly proper
Ter members Of Congress to be exempted from all
Iessee charges, was that free communication might
exist between representative and constituents Such
vss tie condition of things thirty years ago, that
scue exemption Of this kind was very desirable.
v thin 1t, mory of many now living, the COM
letter postage twenty-five cents. This, it We
allow ic tie greater relative value of currency in
Use days, 70 light tax extended corr es-
ItlaeD,e. member of Congress with the limited
Pay and unlimited expense attendant upon the faith
iui GiscLsIee Of his duties, could i'll afford to pay
Tcstape uTon letters which required.to inform
his otsttusucy of the transactions at the Capital.
Eut ROSY ti,nes have changed. Postage has been re
t.rsJ to . tIife. Newspapers have multiplied.
Ly means Of the present generous of the tele-
graph before the aforesaid Honorable collect the
confused memories of the previous evenings debate,
the whole country has read clearer account than he
n any way could give. 1t is certain, too, that the
necessity for the frankng privilege has been passing
away, its abuse has constantly grown. Heaps oil
public documents, papers, private books and
truck of all Sorts not only fill the mail bags az Wash
ington to shameful extent, but ready supply of fac
siaile autographs frees any thus privileged
from very nice scruples about their particular use.
As a consequence. nearly every letter, issuing from
Washington; very frequently private business ad-
vert sements and most all postal business OF each
political campaign, passes under the Congressional
frank. $500
This abuse has been Of gradual growth, and seems
now to have reached its climax, with us. In England Il
was no less complained of but there the trouble has
been renedied. The right to frank all mail matter
was allowed members Of Parliament shortly after the
establishment of the public mails in England, about
the time the Restoration The value of postage on
matter annually franked increased in fifty years TO
nearly 81 900, 0O0 BY the time of our revolution the
abuse had grown rank, that it was restricted t.
very narrow limits, and then abolished altogether.
Now the queen of England must pay the postage ior
any letter she may mail.
The postal service in the United States has rarely
Maid it's own expenses never before the when
extended routes were suppo, ted through the South
where large Democratic majorities could not read,
and of course did not write. Last year. again, there
was deficit. Yet the department should be self
supporting and would be, if but two rules enjoy
ed by the Government be invariably observed, viz
That everything should be paid for in advance, and
that nothing should 90 free.-Dayton Journal.
A letter from Gen. Schenck to DR.. II.
Jewett, in relation to petitions in favor
of the abolition of the Franking priv
lege, says: re.e 81.
1t gives me great pleasure to attend to
the wishes of my friends at home, in any
matters coming before Congress or the
Departments in Washington, and where
the subject matter, as in this case, meets
citA my hearty app,ogot, shall give it all
the aid in my power -
Yours Truly,
ROBERT G.. SCHENCK.