The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-05-23
WHOLE NO 041

the mark"
IL 10 sometimes urged that the apathy OF the
puoiic to all governmental affairs, would enable
an administration entrusted with such extern
siye functions as the management Of ralwlys
and telegraphs to abuse its powers IN manner
extremely detrimental to the interests Of the
people, II not even dangerous to their liberties.
But the force OF this argument depends upon
the correctness Of the assumption thar, under
the supposed circumstances the apathy in
question would continue TO exist. There ia
very good reason to believe that tins assump-
tion Is entirely fallacous; aud that, as Mr..
Scudamore indicates, the people would keen the
closest watch upon the conduct OF operations,
in the result Of which they have an interest too
direct and constant to be ignored or lost sght
OF. 1t is worthy OF confederation therefore,
whether an extension Of governmental func-
tions to the conduct OF those operations. now
necessarily entrusted to giant monopoles, il
not the thing just needed to arouse IN the peo-
pie that living interest in public affairs which
constitute the chief safeguard OF republican IN
situtions
IN commenting On the action Of Congress In
tho repeal OF the Law allowing newspapers TO
circulate through the mails, the Aaerican
Journalist uses the following language:
I" In the expiring hours of the last Congress,
a blow was struck at the newspaper press which
may yet rebound and crush it's authors. Some
of the leaders in Congress- especially the Senate
branch thereof, became angered at the persist
ent appeals OF the newspaper press of all polt-
zeal shades, for a repeal OF the franklng priv
lege, and partly in retaliation, partly in the
hope o. checking the agitation, the Senate
Committee surreptitiously engraited the follow
ing clause in the bill to repeat:
Prooided, That all laws and pats of laws
permitting the TRANSMISSION by mail OF any free
matter whatever 1t be, and the same are hereby
repealed from after June 80, 1873
With this appended the bill passed both
Houses, and not until after its passage was its
object generally known, even to those whose
breath gave it the force OF law This is shown
by the subsequent action of the popular branch
OF Congress, which attempted to pass an ex-
planatory bill continuing the postal freedom Of
the press.
strict construction OF the act as it now
stands compels subscribers. 20 county papers,
to pay postage thereon, even IL they receive
them IN the counties where published-and
compels payment OF postage at the Office of de-
livery on all newspaper exchanges. Elsewhere
we give complete schedule Of the rates OF
postage, on and after June Both, on all classes
OF matter sent through the mails These rates,
with the exceptions above named, are the same
as heretofore. but a careful reinstatement is
needed to rid the question Of postage OF the
confusion which now surrounds 1t.
Recurring 10 the changes effected by the act
repeating the Franlang Privilege, we assume
this position, and hope newspapers generally
viii impress it upon the proper authority
that under all circumstances, toe Postmaster
General, whose duty it is to construs acts at
tectlng his Department, should at once con-
slider the validity OF tho clause quoted. and IL
, reasonable doubt is raised, should give news
paper publishers the benefit Of it. The object
OF the act, as stated in the title and through
out the discussion, was simply to repeal the
Franking Privilege. No other question was
raised. 1t was not the intention of other than
a few OF the lawmakers to impose new burdens
upon the newspapers Of the land, and since at
least one branch Cg Congress attempted to
rectIfy the mjsi1ke, there is abundant ground
for setting aside that clause OF the act until the
/ incoming OF another Congress. The Postmaster
General has this power the question OF iate,.-
tioH IS plain in at least one OF the component
branches Of government, and intention is after
all the man ingredient in the correct construc-
ton OF law. Here is Cres gell's opportunity.
lie should Immediately improve it, and when
this is done there need be no fear Of the action
OF the Congress which meets IN December
next.
NorE ON THE Eco BUsINEss.-Very few rcal-
ize what vast quantity Of eggs is required for
the markets Of the country. Boston alone
consumes from 80, 600 to 100, 600 dozen of eggs
daily when they are at the lowest figure, and
about 10000 at the highest. One man in Ok
ford, Maine, gathers and sends 10 Boston $780,
900 worth Of eggs annually. lie keeps two
teams constantly employed collecting eggs from
grocery stores Of seven, or eight towns. lie
has stone cellar. 100 feet by 30, at home, and
one at South Paris, where he stores the eggs.
When lowest he pickles and saves for higher
market. lie has about 1000 crates aud some
100 boxes, and ships by the railroad every day
The freight to Boston is a cent dozen aud
all loss by breakage comes on him. Eggs are
never lower than 1G or higher than SO, under
this system, though they used to be down to
lie collects in the summer from 500 to 600 doz-
en- week. paying cash at the store. Hethinks
that hens will net their owners each year Il
head il carefully kept-Maiue Farmer.
GIVE THE GIRLS STRENGTH.-The independ-
ent. rerlarking the fact that not one woman
was saved on the fated steamer Atlantic, al
though many had tho same chance o. IRE az
the men, observes Z" The strength OF women
at the crisis OF their life depends on their phys
ioal culture while children. Let parents be no
moro ashamed Of their girls brown faces and
fists than of their boys. Let them be trained
and clothed so they can run and climb and care
for and protect themselves. Let them be
taken with their brothers into the harvest field.
4 how is not ashamed Of work; no more should
bo a Girl The refinement that shuts girl out
~ Gods sunshine, and allows her no rougher
YORK indoors than to embroider worsteds, or
| - -, l,ays or dust marble mantel is re-