Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-04-22
Franking Privilege and Free Ex-
change Law.


free exchange of newspapers. The
following from the State Journal is an
excellent statement of the case, and
We commend it to our readers, for
careful persual:
In 1892, Congress passed u law
permitting publishers to exchange
Taper- through the mail, free of post
age --For eighty-cne years that act
stood uDdisturbed. Under its in
fuenoo, and fostered by the spirit Of
liberty, the American press has been
tho most powerful agent in welding
public opinion that now exists on
the globe. The free interchange of
thought between editors in different
States led to enlarged views and an
accurate knowledge of public affairs.
This Editorial Congress, constantly
in session, and constantly debating
for the good of the people, has been
public educator. The result is seen
in the intelligence, patriotism, power,
and wealth of the foremost nation Of
the earth The people, approaching
the benefits they received, wisely
maintained the old law Of the fathers
for free exchange of papers. But
last winter, without demand from
any one outside of Congress, so far
as we can learn, the law YVES repeal
ed and after the first of July, 1873,
newspaper publishers cannot ex-
change copies of their papers through
the mails without paying postage.
The reason given for the repeal is
that many papers oppose the frank
ing privilege, causing it to be abol-
ished, and the laws being alike, they
should go down together. That some
CopgrossmeU acted on this question,
trough spite SO ms clear, but that
the tree-exchange law was, like the
irar king prigiIege--a great and grow.
ing evIl--is an error which should
be stabbed to death by editorial pens.
We have traced the history of leg
islation on the ranking privilege and
Congressional salaries. to show how
both have grown, In 1892 each
member of the House and Senate was
allowed TO send two>ounce letters
free, during the session and twenty
days thereafter.-At that time but
few papers were published, and great
dailes with correspondents at the
Capital, and railways were unknown.
Congressman receiving but six dol
lars day, during the session, were
expected to enlighten their constit-
uents by letter, and, as the postage
was very heavy, the Thanking privilege
was very probably allowed, except
when mombors wore at home tn speak
from the stump At that time post
age on quarter.ounce letter under
thirty miles. was six cents, under one
hundred miles ten cents over four
hundred and fifty miles twenty five
cents, and each additional quarter
ounce, doubled these rates. In 1898.
the pay of Congressman was incress-
ed to seven dollars day during the
session, and in 1916. raised 10 81 500
a year. The vote for this bill sent
msny able men to private life. Henry
Cay came near loosing bis seat be-
cause he supported it. An old hum
ter, former friend, opposed him be-
cause he voted for bis Increase OF pay,
aud 1t will be remem bered that Clay
secured his support by asking him il
he threw away a trusty rife because
it flashed once No" said the hunt
err, II picked the flint aud tried
again" "Did | ever fash but on the
compensation bill ?" mo" "Will
you throw me away r. mo, no, y
said the hunter, and he was thence
forth an ardent Clay man.
The pay was reduced again but the
franking privilege was enlarged,
The Presidents message was the first
document sent free by the Clerk OF
the House and Secretary of the Sem
ate, were directed by the mem oers
In 1928 the Speaker was allowed the
ranking privilege during his entire
term, and in 1S47 the fiood>gates
were thrown open, all mem bers be-
ing allowed to send letters and pub
lie documents, not only during their
.erm of office, but from the March
when their terms expires up to the
next December. That was the law
under which abuses existed and
which was repealed last winter -
The ~ les Of members was increas
Cd from light dollars day 70 three
housund year, then TO five th0us-
AMI 9 year, N ! now il il seven thOus.
and five bundled. That ia the record
.huwiGg how the frsnkirg privilege
grew iato an abuse which the press,
the President, tue Postmaster Gener.
al and q National Convention said
should be abolished. 1t will be seen
that congressman could hardly ask
its continuance on the plea that their
pay was poor besides, every in ;elli-
gent man knows that the press, at iii
own expense, informs the people con,
corning public matters.
When the law allowing q free ex.
change of newspapers was passed, il
took two weeks to get inteliigeact
FRI m the Capitol to the people. Now
a fire in Constantinople, the recep
ton Of our Minister in st. PETERSBURG
and frauds on the Bank of England
are published next day in every pa,
per 10 the Union. Congress debates
a synopsis of important speeches, re.
por;s, documents and message in full
are sept by telegraph, and in week.
time the news is sifIed, selected, anC
placed by the country press before
the people in the most remote ham
lets Of the land Who pays the mil
lions of dollars yearly invested il
getting and distributing shis infor
nation about everything relating Il
public sffairs2 The press 1T is th'
medium through which the acts o
their representative, and also th'
mirror OF public sentiment which il
| reflected back on Congress. 1t ha