Middletown transcript., 1873-04-12
f,om Me Csea Whiy.
A Severe Blow at the Country Press.

Among The acts Of the late Congress.
which covered i,self with tho infassy OF
stealing 81 600 900 from the public treas
ury. during the last hours Of it, existence
none will be felt more severely than 40 3
mendmeut that was slipped in the post
office appropriation bill, which repealed
the law allowing the FREQ circulation Of
country papers in the county in which they
ara published Ito take affect the 1st Of
July) and abolished the free exchange Of
newspapers among publishers. The free
exchange Of newspapers is no part Of the
frankiug privilege which has grown into
such an intolsrablc abuse BY mercenary
Congressinen. but it serves in . great
measure 10 diausc the news transpiring
10 every quarter Of the country rapidly
aud cheaply among the people. one Of the
fundamental objects for which the postsl
system was established. Publishers can
not afford to pay postage on heavy ex-
change list Of papers from oil parts OF the
country and furnish their p,psrs 10 sub
scribsrs at the low rates Of subscription
at present prevailing. The heaviest blow
however, from this amendment to the
post-oficc Law will fall upon the local or
country press. The privilege enjoyed BY
the country press 10 circulate free in the
county Of publication. was a great prosec-
tion to that important branch Of the
great newspaper system, which consti-
tutes the bulwark OF the nation. The city
wseklies which arc composed Of hash Of
the dailies. arc distributed by tens Of
thousands broadcast over the country At
prices but little advanced on the cost Of
white paper, and where large circula-
ton is established such wceklies become
source OF mucl, prof, to the proprictors.
They cost bu, little more than the max
ing up Of forms composed almost cxelu-
sively of matter selected, and se. aside
from the daily editions These cheap
weekly editions Of the city dailies prove
most formidable competitors to the coun-
try press. which is at heavy expense get
ting up comparatively small editions. but
which are vital TO the interests Of the
county where published. There can be
I no excuse in extenua,ion Of a profigate
+ Cong.css in delivering this damaging
4 blow ut the interests and future advance
mcnt Of the local press, except the mean
+ ctf1rts shown on every opportunity to tack
on something 10 the pos,-oiiice law that
would serve to make the change odious,
in hopes Of restoring the ia, and foul
privilege Of an nliscriminate use Of the
mail By Congressman, in session and ou,
Of session.
The local country papers are no bur
then on the great mnil lines, which pro-
vide quick ,ran,i, between distant and
leading commercial points of tho country
They are nearly all distributed hy the va,
mails which are comparatively light and
which arc made up by the agents and put
out at each station on the road.
Il should lc the business Of the country
press TO publish the vote which cuts Of
the exchange Of newspapers among pub
lishers. and the right II trss circulation
of county papazs suA maks II 80 warn
for the Iles.sABe phs tax this meal
method Of reafnee fF lbs loss Of an abu
ssd privilege, ,eas p one Of them VIII
voted for the mSssar9. or was in any wa,
an.werabls for its passage. shall eve
dare show his head again, Let the eoun
try press order their Representatives il
the next Congress. to repeal this infa
nous clause, as they commanded them Il
repeal the no less Infamous frnnkini
privilege. aud they will not dare dsobcy
|, should he The duty oftia diffcren
editorial associations throughout tn
country to have a consultation on th
subject aud adopt measures which woal'
secure the speedy repeal of the objection
able clause Let the black list of treas
ury thieves be published as soon as i, ca
be had. and whip them through the eoun
try to tho ture Of the Rogue.' March. a.
warning to the future political adyentur
ers who lie their way, and buy their wa.
into Congress.