The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-23

tendent Of Railway Service, touching the ques-
ton of merchandise in the mails. do not
find that this class of mail matter seriously
obstructs the transportation Of the mails on
railroads. nor does it threaten to do so at
present; but on some of the trunk stage routes
it does embarrass us somewhat and will lead
to extra expense There is no Justice in DO
ing a merchandise transportation business
and charging the same for short as for a
long distance; and yet do not know that it
can be remedled. tbs law has been in OPP
Grafton tor SO short time that | am reluctant
to recommend any radical changes; but
would suggest that the rate of postage on mer-
chandise be doubled that is the rate should
be one cent for each ounce or fraction thereof
instead of one cent for each two ounces.
Very respectfully yours,
MARSHALL JEWELL,
Postmaster General.
In the communication above referred to,
Superintendent Bangs presents statistics of
the amounts of all the different classes of
matter mailed 1T the fifty largest post-otlices
Ia the United States during the four weeks
ending December %, 1874, that month being
selected because it included the season when
the mails would likely be used to great
extent in forwarding holiday goods. From
these statistics it appears that CT the 4, 5i},
OfS pounds of all classes of matter mailed
during that time at these fifty offices, there
was 81 per cent OF tirst-class matter; 81 OF
the-second class, and 30 per cent of the third
class; and of the third-class, only 110, 473
pounds, or one two and four-tenths per cent
of the total of all class ambraced e samples of
merchandise" Other statistics presente show
that samples Of merchandise occupied less
of the mail facilities than books or any other
class.
Mr.. Bangs says it is not probable that the
mails will ever be used to forward articles of
particular value or delicate texture great dis
tances excepting between places destitute Of
express facilities: and he says this provision
for mailing merchandise should be retained
on account OF its many advantages to the pub
lie; among which he mentions the reduction
of rates by express companies, the facilities
afforded to those who are settling remote parts
Of our country, and the extension OF the Gel
tajnty and dispatch of the mails, in cases
where time IS important. He argues, how
ever, that there should be one uniform rate
and weight for all articles of the third class,
aud shows tina. in most cases this would not
increase the present cost of transportation.
In conclusion he claims to have proved that
the deficiency of the Post Office Department
is not in any way attributable to samples OF
or other third class matter.
Important TO whisky and Tobacco Wen.
The following extract from the Washington
Of the New York bulletin con
tains important information to whisky and
tobacco men:
The collector Of the First Ohio District tel
egraphed to the Commissioner OF Internal
Revenue that he was out OF taX-pald whisky
stamps The commissioner could not supply
him, tor he was il the same fix. So the col
lector then put the question: suppose a
distiller or other person should come and
tender payment of tax on spirits in bond.
They would be told that there were no stamps.
If law passed increasing tax, and caught
those spirits in bond. would they be liza lie to
the increased tax: Though it was hypo-
the teal case, the commissioner felt obliged,
under the crcumstances to hold that the
offer Of money is evidence that the owner
wants TO pay the tax: and the deficiency OF
stamps not being TIE owners fault the col
lector would consider the goods tlX-paia in
bond, Awaiting stamps Tins Wlll be great
relief 10 many MINDS, for it was generally
believed that the department WIS IL 10 hurry
about tnen and would make tr oub!e Aor
in tile end.
Tie Fluctuations in the Fcrcian Exchange
Harksi.
The New York Ba'ietin, OF the 10Th inst,
has tie following relative to the extraordinary
fluctuations in the foreign exchange market
We had another extraordinary day in the
Orel9n exchange market, the rush to buy |
having been quite as strong as was the anxiety |
and the day before to SELL As in !
Heated III our last issue, the Bank of Eng |
and at its regular weekly meetin Of the d. |
,ectors this morning advanced its discount
.ate to 81 per cent, and this while showing |
gain during the week in bullion Of 81 10 600. |
The chief and controlling reason for the
urn in the market, aside from the fact that
reaction is bound to follow either
IN extreme rise or fall was that the
ow rates at which bills could be
bought yesterday induced some Of the foreign
bankers to import bonds, there having been Il
profit in the operation. This started the buy
ne movement, which continued throughout
o-day, the market for prime bankers 60-day
. 50 Z, S3j, and 4 81 for demand bills with
BUSINESS up to 4.S6l It is perhaps well to
tate, as showing the extent Of to-day rise
hat yesterday the closing rates were / Sol
nd / @3l respectively for the same class OF
ills. Although the market III the close this
tternoon was strong, yet it is far 10 con
lule that after such u rise as to-day there
ill be a reaction, although it is outside
easonable calculations to estimate movements
men are 10unUeu on tl9 Tears OF dealers.
he recent decline in bills was caused almost
holly by the fear Of the gold clique Itthere
al not been profit III bringing over bonds,
nd if this had not checked the decline, i'm
ortations Of gold would have done so. TX
hange has ruled exceptionally high during
he past season, solely because so many secur-
les have been returned from Europe. When !
lat movement ceases there will be good :
JASON for looking for a permanent decline III
ties In the meantime such erraic move
tents as we have Just witnessed are likely to {
ecur and to catch no one more at fault than
lose who are usually Wei informed.
The Controller OF the Currency
IS stated his UNDERSTANDING of the new :
nance law to be that the retirement OF 30 +
II cent Of greenbacks for each dollar of ma
onal bank currency issued under the cur t
ncy bill commences at once, without regard
amount Of circulation outstanding. In
ct, it is impossible to escape this under )
lnding of the law. q