River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-03-26
The Postage swindle
Washington Special March l4l Chicago Tr
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| Washington Special March lI( Chicago Tri-
hune.l
A closer examination of the manner in
which the expressmen's job (by which
postage on transient newspapers is doubl-
ed) became a law show that Hannibal
llamlin was the instrument used in the
Senate 10 accomplish this purpose. IL
does not aflirmatiyely appear that Ham
I'm knew the scope of his amendment.
The poor man postage was doubled in
one of the heated night sessions few
days after the Thanking priyi-
lege was restored. very
few Congressman evidently knew
that any change was made, and many
who were advised Of the increase of post
age supposed, and were 50 told. that il
was only to apply to packages of mer-
chandise, and IN no sense 20 transient
newspapers. When this amendment was
added, Postmaster General Jewell was
himself in the Senate chamber, and sup
posed, as did everybody who knew any.
thing about i, that the increase applied
only TO merchandise.
HAMLIN 10 BLAME.
The way It came about was this Sena-
tor llamlln, without previous notice, said
| he had an amendment 10 offer, which was
this: THAT section 5 Of the act approved
Jan. %, 1874, making appropriations ror
| the service Of the POstoiiice Department
for the fiscal year ending june 30, 1873,
and for other purposes. be and the same
| Is hereby amended as follows Insert
the word ounce in lieu of the words two
ounces. Section 5 was not read. The
impression among Senators who knew
anything about It was that this amend.
ment only doubled the postage on sam
pies and merchandise Had the section
been read the fact would have appeared.
HAyLINs SPEKCH.
llamlin further SAID
THIS Is an appropriation bill. The
amendment which is before the Senate il
torePlenlsh your treasury, and think
at this period Of time. when the revenues
OF your POstottice Department are ran.
ming so low, the amendment which | offer
rs one that should commend itself to the
Judgment Of every senator here In
1872, We passed law fixing the rate of
| postage upon what was called transient
matter Of The third class. The question
has been submitted TO the poStoilice De.
partment IN relation to a change OF thar
law. aud | have here an express recon.
mendation of the PoStmaStcr.G General in
favor of the amendment, which submit.
! have a full knowledge Of th. law /
was member Of the postofice committee
when the plan OF transmitting other
Than mailable matter proper
through the mail was adopted.
II fixed the rate Of postage upon each 1
ounces. IL has been carried up to =
pounds. IL was an experiment. do
not seek to change thateNpcriment. but !
do seek 20 place upon il rate Of postage
which, Il the statements from the Post.
office Department be correct. will give
you S2.oVO,O0O of revenue in the coming
year. twill upcratcaS no hardship what.
ever upon persons whom We design 20 ben.
| eht by allowing merchandise 10 20 through
the mails. We support the mail depart.
! mcnt proper upon postage az cents Der
ounce. This will still allow merchandise
samples 70 go through our mails for cent
an ounce az such low rates that any per
son who desires 60 avail himself of the
transmission Of the mails for such A pnr.
I pose Will have no re ,son To complain ol
our increasing We iatc. The Postmaster.
J General tells us it should be done. Mr..