Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-04-11
Results OF the Repeal Of the Frank
ing Privilege.

mand for its repeal. None, probably were {
more familiar with these abuses than those
connected with the press. By them the q
repeal was Rgitated for the purpose of out
ting off these abusst, and by this agitation
tho repeal Of this abused privilege was I
made an issue in the campaign last Fall. I
Candidates on the stump assured their |
constituents that they would labor for the
repeal, knowing full-wsll that By so doing
they would be carrying cut the wishes Of
those who honored them by giving them
a seat In the National Council
The repeal Of the franking privilege then,
was simply carrying out the wishes OF con-
stituents and the promises Of representa-
tives. But it was not done without ad-
ministsring a punishment upon those who
agitated the question. Let us examine
into this act. All mail matter known as
"free matter" under existing laws, and on
which postage must be paid after June 80,
1873, by reason of this repeal, is classed
under twelve heads, as follows
First, all mail to aud from the President
and Vice President,
Second, official communications to or
from Cabinet or Bureau officers, chiet
clerks or franking officers Of each of the
Executive Departments.
Third, all letters or printed matter to or
from members of Congress, Secretary Of
the Ssnate, or Clerk of the House of Rep
resentatives.
Fourth, petitions to Congress.
Fifth, copyright matter to Librarian to
Congress, if SO marked on the package.
Sixth, the Smithsonian Institution mail.
Seventh, exchanges between publishers,
one copy of each publication, not to ex-
ceed sixteen ounces in weight.
Eighth, weekly newspapers to actual
subscribers within the county where pub
lished.
Ninth, notices from Postmastor of re-
fusals to take publications.
Tenth, dead letters returned to writers.
Eleventh, medals, certificates Of thanks,
or other testimonials awarded by Legisla-
lures to their soldiers.
Twelfth, under a special act OF Congress,
passed some years since, all mail matter to
and from Mary Lincoln, widow of Abra-
ham Lincoln, during her natural life.
In this classification we find that it alb
solutely excludes all free matter from the
mails, including the free circulation Of
"wsskly newspapers to actual subscribers,
within the county where published" and
cutting off the free exchange Of papers
between publishers. We regard this as a
direct blow at the freedom of the press.
What right had the press to direct the
attention OF its readers to the abuses of the
franking privilege and advocate its repeal ?
Having assumed this right, shall we not
apply q punishment that will teach the
press better? We have been led to believe
that the present law, allowing free in
tsrchange and free publication, was framed
to protect and foster the local press by
enabling them to compete with the city
weeklies There are but few, if any, local
publishers but what will feel deeply the
inconvenience thus added to their multi
plicity of vexatious duties and the pscu
MARY loss by this change in the law. 1t ii
argued by some that it will be grea
saving to the postal department, az it il
very difficult for postmasters to collec
postage, &c, on such periodicals as requir'
postage If difficult for them to collect
from those who call daily or weekly TO-
this mail, how will it be with the publishe
who is compelled to prepay this postag'
and send his papers to fifty different post
offices, taking the chances of getting pa.
for his paper and the money thus advaucet
for postage? This is not only question
for reflection by publishers, but every com
munity interested in supporting loca
press is interested Shall the existence Q
the press be endangered because it dare t
speak out against the corruption OF ou
public servants?
We publish elsewhere an article on tn
- Country press" from the Washington r,
. public, to which we ask attention. W
T.. also append below, from the same pape
= some facts in which the public is intel
i. eAted
% By the terms Of recent legislation, the fra nj
~ ing privilege is abolished. aud it is prsyids
'' that, "All laws, aud parts of laws, permittiu
- the tranamis issiOn by mail Of any frss matte
- Whatever, be, and the same are hereby, rsPen
- ed, from and after June 80, 1879" This eu
- IF the free exchange Of newspapers bstws'
IL publishers, and tbs free circulation OF paps
- within tho csun!iss Of Publisatisn.
- Ne changes in the rates OF postage have be:
-" made, aud, consequently, postage charges vi
. be as follows:
as To all parts Of the Uuitsd States, thrss cen
per half ounce.
PAPERS, MAaLzINEs, ETC.
a Pamphlets, occasional publications. transie
81 newspapers, magazines, hand-bills, poster
unseGlsd circulars, prospsctuses, book man
scripts, proof sheets, corrected proof shee
maps, prints. engravinRs' blanks; nexlu
patterns, sample cards, Phonographic pAp'
letter envelopes, postal envelopes and wrapper
nd cards plaiu aud orna m ental paper, photograph
REPRESENTATIONS Of different types, seeds, CT
tInRa, bulbs, roots, aud scionS, can be transm
ted through the mails al the rate Of one sent
each two ounces or fraction thereof.
Books, two cents for each two ounces or fra
tou thereof. Samples Of merchandise, meta
I'd ores, aud meteorological specimens can pa
through the mails in packages not exsesdi
twelve ounces OF the rate Of two cents for ca
two ounces or fraction thereof TO be left OF
At the ends for examination, and 10 contain
writing other than the address.
al. All liquids, poisons, glass, explosive mat
~ ials, obscene books, and all other matter liza
10 iniure the mails or those having char
thereof, shall be excluded thersfFom.
RX0uLkR PUBLICATIONS
Newspapers sent by mail must be prepaid
,uA atamps. unless "reRularly issued aud sent
regular subscribers" by publishers or ns'
r.. dealers, when the following rates are oharg
An. payable quarterly IN advance, either at
mailing or delivery Office
Cir times n week k...,......,...,.. 80 esI
ray Tri.weekliss. -. ........ ...........,.. is Gel
Ssmi. wSekliss. ,.....,.,.... ''.... 10 Gel
Wsekliea a.,.........,,........ 80" s eel
aamI. .monthIy, not over uBs'..,," eel