The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-07-25
Correspondence of the journal.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.

! --AA- EoL4AANAL SITUATION.
Though it is too early to make any predie.
tions relative 30 the coming political campaign,
yet VIC are able, by careful observation. to de-
tect certain significant 'signs."
-Four Republican State Conventions have
been held, and from their action We NAV safe
| ly Judge of the position to be occupied by the
party throughout the country. The nomi1.a-
tions made have been excellent, and the rssolu-
lutions adopted show disposition to retain for
Tor the party its reputation as the party of pro
gress. There has been no disposition to shirk
the issues which the times are forcing upon us;
on the contrary, We can readily perceive that
these issues are taken up with spirit of alac-
rity. Our Republican people seem disposed to
welcome live issues, TO discard those that are
dead and disposed of.
The great question of the day is that of cheap
transportation, involving the relation of the
State to the railroads, and in general the rela-
tions OF the people to monopolies of all kinds.
The Republican party does not evince any dis
position to avoid this issue. If this question
can be made to enter generally into the cam
paign, it will be quite relief to hear it discuss
ed in place of the exploded dogmas of the De-
mocraey, which have been paraded so long af-
ter they have become offensive to the nostrils.
The position to be occupied on this transpor
tation or anti-monopoly question, by the two
great parties of the country is an interesting
subject OF observation. That of the Republi-
can party has been sufficiently indicated aIrea-
dy, and we find that in the issue between the
farmers and the railroads it plants itself square
on the side of the farmer. It would be folly to
deny that its position on this question is want
ing in defniteness, but this is unavoidable de-
pending as it does on the state of public senti-
ment which is equally indefinite. The subject
being new is yet in an undeveloped condition.
Even the farmers organizations have not as yet
any definite plan of operation, and it cannot bo
expected that larger body could be got into
shape in as short time as a smaller. A com
pany can be got into line of battle in a moment
ten minutes may be required for regiment;
half an hour for a division, and an hour OF
more for an entire army. If the farmers own
special organizations have not been able to ar
range plan Of operations, it cannot be expect
ed that the Republican party will be able to
suggest policy complete and definite in every
particular. The position of this party on the |
railroad monopoly question is by no means an !
equivocal one. There is no mistaking where |
it is to be found. The language of the conven.
tons held is every whit as clear as the language
of the order of Patrons of Husbandry itself.
"a hava l1ffla ,adva Of; ..--
will be pursued by the Democracy when it |
comes to treat of this question 1t is quite ey-
ident, however, that it viii make no direct is |
sue here. To espouse the cause of the monop-
olists would be fatal, and no political organiza-
ton will dare openly TO defend them. There
are signs, however, which indicate very strong |
probability that the opposition will in some 4
manner couple together the anti-monopoly and /
free trade theories, and offer platform of /
principles accordingly. The issue will, there
fore be the old fight of free trade and protec-
tiOn. II it were not put in this guise it could /
elicit no interest from the people, and it does
not now seem that the issue can be so clothed
as to prevent the disguise from being detected.
The Democracy would not venture to make a
square fight on such an issue. Their only hops
is to deceive the people as 10 what their true
purpose is. This never won and never will.
The peopleare not such fools as some politicians
take them to be.
POSTAL LAWS-WILL THEY BE MODIFIED.
There are several features of our postal laws
deserving of serious consideration. 1t seems
now that they will receive attention next win
ter, and there IS a strong probability that sew
eral important notifications will be made. In
getting nd of the franking privilege too much
haste was manifested, and while a considera-
BILE evil has been almost completely disposed of
the door has been opened for others, or rather
we have created others which are sufficiently
grievous to awaken opposition to them which
will culminate in their elimination from that
system.
Our postal laws are simple and universally
understood. With the exception of supplies"
nothing passes through the mails without pay
ing postage.
One important question is are the rates es-
tablisbed reasonable and just2 On letters
of less than half a ounce in weight the postage
is three cents. On newspapers the postage is
one cent if transient and tive-thirteenth of a
cent for papers mailed regularly to one address
This seems very moderate charge and it is
doubtful if any institution, public or private,
can lower these rates and be self-sustaining
But in the case of heavier packages, it seems
that the Postoffice Department is underb.d by
the express companies, and heads of bureaus
and others having large supplies to send out to
subordinates, are already availing themselves
Of the cheaper rates offered by these common
carriers This, of course, viii lead to some
change in the rates on heavy packages
Another question is as to the justice Of char
ging the people for the transmission of letters
addressed 10 tho officers Of government, on
subjects relating to their official duties. One
Of the most sacred rights guaranteed by the
constitution is the right of petition, but to per-
sons not present at the capital the payment Of
postage is a tax on that right, and in so far as
it is a tax it is an abridgement of that right, in
that the petitioners have TO pay something in
order 10 exercise it. To lay tax, however
BAAhAANesN1 ~ Do Sioully
to the letter aud spirit Of our in
,
All communications addressed to the Presi- {
lent, Vice President, Hsads Of Departments I
and of bureaus and officers OF our courts on Of I
icial business, are in the nature of petitions, i
and iu consistency with the fundamental prin-
'iples Of our government should be allowed 10
pass free. 1t is not question of expediency,
it is one of right.
Sill another important question Is that of
Tree exchange Of newspapers, and the free dis
of the same in tss counties where 8
published. This is purely = question of ezpe-
iieney. There is no right violated by requir- 7
ng postage on such matter, and if the publish {
rs of newspapers can get them delivered at
ess cost than is charged by the government, e
hey are at liberty TO do so. This is, in fact, b
done, as ths ddIies Of one city are b
s1ied to other cities by express, for the reason
hat it can be done in less time and for less q