New-York tribune., 1874-06-17
CONGRESSIONAL


pended.
CONGRESSIONAL PERSECUTION OF THE
PRESS.
AN EXTRAORDINARY AMENDMENT TO THE POST
OFFICE APPROPRIATION BIIL-PRoPosKD UNDUE
CHARGES FOR POSTAGE UPON PERIODICAL PUB
LcAuoNs-A TAX OF MILLIONS TO BE BORNE
BY 500 PERSONS AND CoMPANIEs-ANIAUs OF
THE BILL AND OBJECTIONS TO IT'S PASSAGE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBCSE.l
WASHINGTON, June 16-Attention has heretofore
been called to an amendment to the Post-Ofiice
Appropriation bill. reported by the Senate Postal
Committee requiring the prepayment of postage on
all newspapers after the passage of the act This
amendment was not asked for by the Postmaster
General, and il required only that attention should
be called 10 the effect il would have to insure It's
defeat. But when the bill came up to-day Senator
Sherman moved, and the Senate agreed to, an
amendment that is worse than the other. The
following is its full text so far relates TO news
papers sent from the Office of publication:
SEC =. That ali newspapers and periodical publi-
cations mailed from known office Of publication or
agency and addressed TO regular subscribers or
news agents postage shall be charged at the following
rates. On newspapers aud periodical publications.
four for each pound fraction thereof: provided
that the rate Of postage newspapers or periodicals.
not exceeding two ounces in weight, and circulars
when the same deposited in letter carrier office
for delivery by the Office its carriers shall be uniform
each but periodicals weighing more than
shall be subject to postage OF two cents
each. and these rates shall he prepaid by stamp.
SEC - That upon the receipt OF such newspapers and
periodical publications at the office OF mailing they shall
be weighed in bulk and postage paid thereon by
special adhesive stamp TO be devised and furnished oY
Postmaster General which shall be affixed 10 such
matter or 10 the sack containing the upon
me of
naster-General may from time TO time provide by
regulation.
SEC -. That newspapers, one copy TO each actual
subscriber residing within the county where the same
are printed in whole part and published, shall
through the mails but the shall not be deliv-
cred at etterarrier Offices distributed by carriers
unless postage is paid thereon as by law provided
SEC - That the Postmaster-fenera NAV prescribe,
by regulation, aft iav in FORM 10 be taken by each
publisher Of any newspaper or periodical publication
through the mails under the provisions of this act
agent who distributes such newspapers or
periodical publications under the provisions OF this act
o employe Of such publisher or news agent, stating
that he will not send, knowingly permit
10 be sent, through the mails, any copy
copies of .such Newspaper periodical publications
except regular subscribers heeto or news agents,
or as an exchange without prepayment Of the postage
thereon rate of for each two ounces or
fractional part and If such publisher news
uNs
when required by the Postmaster General, any
special agent of the Post Office Department, 20 make
such affidavit shall refuse so TO do he shall be deemed
guilty OF a misdemeanor and. on conviction, shall be
fined exceeding 81 900 for each refusal and II any
person shall knowingly and wiltully mail any matter
without the payment Of postage provided by this
act or procure 70 be DONE If any postmas
ter or Post-Ofce official shall knowingly permit any
matter mailed without the prepayment Of postage
as provided this and in violation Of the provisions
of the same he they shall be deemed guilty Of mis-
demeanor and victOn thereof shall be hned not
less than 500 than 5000. imprisoned not
exceeding three years one the discretion Of
the Court.
The objections To this are as follows: First: 1t
places the rate of postage higher than the Post
master-General has reported necessary. The rate
which he fixed and which the Post-Office Commit
tee agreed upon this morning, being II cents
pound for newspapers and 8 cents pound for mag
azines. Secondly: Any law of this kind ought not
TO take effect until the 1st of January next. at
the earliest, as newspaper publishers ought
to have time TO make arrangements with
their subscribers If this bill should become law
il would during the last six months of the present
wear impose tax of between S2.5O0,0OO and S3000-
OOO the most of which would be paid by less than
500 individuals and companies. The only explana-
ton of this extraordinary legislation is desire on
the part of the Senate 70 punish the newspapers for
bringing about the abolition of the frankng prlyl-
lege.
RESULTS OF THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
CONCLUSIONS OF THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
THE CHARGES AGAINST THE DISTRICT GOVERN
MFST sUsTAINED-A CALM JUDICIAL STATEMENT