The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-16
ABOLITION OF THE FRAMING:
PRIVILEGE.

PRIVILEGE.
The tenth resolution of the national re-
publican convention, which assembled in
Philadelphia in June of last year, declared
that ''thc franking privilege ought to be
" abolished, and the way prepared for
speedy reduction in the rate of postage" "
Strange enough, the liberal republican and
democratic platforms were silent on this
subject ; but there was, notwithstanding
this omission, hearty unanimity in all
parties on this point. The pledge Of the
republican party was redeemed. We need
not enquire the reasons that led to their
action, ii is sufficient to know that IAN act
to abolish the franking privilege passed
both Houses Of Congress, was approved
by the President, and became a law on the
first day of July of the current ycar. The
postmaster general had urged this action
upon Congress, year after year. for the
purpose of making the postotlicc depart
ment self sustaining. Whatever motives
may have induced individual Senators and
W WIZ tlfItlbl. llt ltsO-
luton quoted meant economy, and this
was the object of the postmaster general in
his repeated recommendations. If we I'M
derstand the nature Of the contracts for
the carrying of tho mails, the compcnsa-
ton depends upon bulk and weight. We
refer, Of course, to the more thickly pop
ulatcd portions of the country and not to
those where mail matter il limited in guam
tty and enhanced prices are paid simply
for the accommodation of the residents,
without regard to quantity, bulk or weight !;
for if the same rules should be applied to
the last named localities, no one could af-
ford 10 transport mail matter, and the res
identS would he without postal facilities
1t has always been the policy of our gov
eminent, and we trust it will continue to
be so to establish postofliccs and post routes
as settlements advanced even if the re-
ccipis therefrom were comparatively
trifing. In these newly settled regions
there always has been, ana always will be,
a large deficiency between the receipts and
expenditures, which ought to be made up
by the receipts in other parts Of the coun-
try
This being borne III mind, the fact being
conceded that the demand for the abolition
of the franking privilege was made, by the
people, in the interest of economy, and
that the object of the postmaster general
was to make the postal service self sustain.
ing, what was the abuse aimed at 1t is
true that Senator and Representative, on
general principles ought to pay postage on
his private correspondence, as much as the
humblest or most exalted of his constitu-
ents. The entire withdrawal of the whole
correspondence of these officials from the
mails would not reduce the cost of tran
sportation by single cent. The few hun
dred or thousand dollars they would be
compelled to pay, annually, for postage
would hardly be felt in diminishing the de-
fciency. Public documents filled up the
mails. Public documents increased the ex-
pense of their transportation. Public doc
aments caused the deficiency in whole or
in the greater part 1t was to prevent the
transportation of public documents, free,
that the demand for the repeal of the frank
was made. The increased price paid for
the transportation of the mails by reason
OF these public documents was enormous.
Their weight and bulk was almost. if not
quite, equal to all other mail matter. The
postmastcr-gcneral insisted, land still insists.
that If they can be kept from the mails OF
be made subject to postage as other matter.
the department would be self sustaining.
The other departments can now see the
point, as their documents, formerly trans.
mitted by mail, withou, charge, can be for.
the postOficc With all these facts before
them, the postal committee" Of the House
have agreed to report bill to allow public
documents "to be sent free through the
mails" The franking privilege is not to
be restored-oh no Senators and Repre-
sentatiyes are only going to have" thcii
postage paid out Of the national treasury
ana an officer is to be appointed q
fat salary Of coursc-not to frank Pub
Docs. but 10 stamp" them so that nc
postage shall be paid thereon. How long
would it take good arithmetician to fig,
urc out the extraordinary amount of money
saved to the country by the abolition OF
the Thanking privileges