New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-01
THE FRANKING ABUSE.
A STATEMENT FROM THE POSTMASTER

A STATEMENT FROM THE MISUNDERSTANDING.
WASHINGTON Feb. 2S.-The Postmaster
General to-day transmitted to the Senate a communica-
ton in reply resolution of that body requesting
formation relative TO the blank petitions, etc. recently
sent from that Department asking the abolition OF tho
frankng privilege and in regard to the transportation
OF free mail lie states that the number Of blank
petitions sent out $4,000 and the number OF accom-
panying circulars was $500 The total cost ~ both cir
cuars and petitions 499 &C. which Was betrayed by
the office OF the Congressional printer No Pdit OF ihe
expense was charged against any fund appropriated for
the of the POst-Once Department. The petitions
and circulars were PREPARED under me direction U tno
accordance with the views tA-
pressed by the President in his late Message and IN r..
Spouse what believed 10 be very general wish 81
the people that the Thanking privilege should DC aDol'
ished No attempt made on the part OF tue I'par-
ADDITION of The privilege They were simply requested
to citizens who in favor of the measure an OPP
portuuty to SO express themselves.
The PGstmasterGencra that the returns Of tho
TO furnish the data called for in the resolution lie sub
49, heen receiyed pmbracp g most OF the principal cities
These returns imperfect m many respects but eN-
M me n,nntS of January Humber OF free letters sent
6S O; postage thereon at the regular sl73s9 %;
weight OF free printed matter sent 3ol pounds post
ace thereon az regular rates s2 Total Of free
matter from 45i posolces sj9,73i co. The POST
master General that, considering THIS exhibit IL -
safe TO estimate that if full returns had been
received from all the offices for the month
OF January the aggregate amount would bave exceeded
Senate the faetson which the allegations OF fraud aud
abuse in the exercise OF the ranking privilege were
founded in the petitions sent out by the Department
the Postmaster General says
II is impossible to give precise information upon that
pont owing to the fact that ranked matter always
sealed and the law does not authorize the Dieakns o.
seal for the purpose Of examination but even inc ton
paratvey small amount OF free matter now retlheu I'd
the Dead ietter Office dscloses many cases OF aoIS'
where books papers. and circulars nov ptin" ~ h
OF Congress- and business ana social nave
been transmitted under cover OF frank II ,e laots OF
each particular could ne aseertaieu, =,
could be applied aud would then ohy pe necessary .
reform the ranking privilege Inc system s'i n,sS
be denounced because 1t invites 10 irau VII" Pron
Of impunity and hence repeat what
have already SAID, ,dae the groand S'I S., uesn
mo- Thanking and boundless Thanking Although unable
70 give facts detail 1t is yet notorious that the frauds
which have been perpetrated under cover 9l 'e nAns
privilege have been enormous Beside the cases men,
Toned above, which are constantly oecurlng nope
may be permitted without ofense To state that 10 times
of excited political campaigns the various parties do NOT
hesitate TO employ II 10 transmit whatever OF printed
matter they may have wished To disseminate This
practice has grown into bad custom which only be-
abolished by repeating tue privilege under when IL mus
The recent agitation for the repeal OF the privilege has
resulted large increase IN the sale OF stamps aud
stamped envelopes for the month OF January 1870 over
the month IN 1862 This gain amounts To sll332 So
He then reiterated views in favor OF the immediate and
total repeal OF IN the rsnsSS psyeSe IL nj, his Judgment
interests OF the people a can tolerate Its longer con
tinuance.
The Postmaster. General then contrary the postal
OF Great Britain at the wocent rate and wthoot
the ranking privilege with the three cent rate Of tho
United states wits the Thanking privilege, showing
much larger relative revenue is derived by the former
Government. lie closes as follows:
81 believe sincerely that the time has 10 attempt
such reforms as win make our postal services wvasny ,
that these reforms cannot be made while the frahhnx
privilege Is allowed TO continue. Hence, most earnestly
renew my recommendations for ITS repeal DonptHsss
OF 40 much Importance may be safely eom'se'<u
" aD enlightened and patriotic Congress-