National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-04-22
AN OPEN LETTER no SENATOR HAML1N.

Hon. Hanni6di Hdmlin, Chairman Committee on
Post Office, &C., United States Senate:
DEAR SIR: Some weeks ago, while the rates
Of postage on mail matter, strangely iumbled
together as "third class" were under consid-
GRAFTON before your committee. l took the lib
erty to solicit your attention to certain annual
publications, which, under the rulings of the
Department, had been put into this class, as
thought contrary to the spirit aud intent OF
the law passed one year ago, and sent you
sample copy OF one Of the publications to
which referred.
observe that in the bill recently reported
from your committee and passed by the SEN
ate, all ambiguity is taken out of the law by
inserting in the first section the word "an-
nuals" and the words "for free circulation"
but the relief asked is not granted.
BY the provisions Of section S, reducing the
postage on ttransient newspapers and maya
zines, /" you only suggest how easily the JUS
tice asked might have been partially conceded
by inserting the words ''annuals" and ''for free
circulation" in the fifth section, instead Of
the first, adding-if you must be careful not
to open the door too wide-the words "for
benevolent and charitable purposes"
As the bill is reported and passed By the
Senate, II you had intended to aggrsrate,
rather than redress, the wrong complained of,
YOU could not have framed 1t more skillfully.
Your attention having been specially called
to the subject, 1t is difficult to see how you
could report bill so framed without at least
utterly disregardng the facts brought to your
notice. Probably you were so occupied with
great affairs of State that you deemed SO small
matter as that to which your unknown cor
respondent sought to secure your attention
unworthy OF notice; and must believe that
the Senate was not aware Of the special facts
TO which your attention was called, or it would
not have passed the bill. ~.
Now, It only remains that those of US who
feelaggrieved by the provisions Of the proposed
law should submit quietly to what seems
whether Intentional or mott an insult added
to injury, or call the attention of the members
Of the House Of Representatives to the facts,
in the hope that through greater carefnlaess
TO regard the wishes of their constituents
amendments may be made that will yet avert
so fragrant an injustice. As it is not In the
nature OF an American citizen to submit
quietly to a wrong, especially when he has
those who have 1t in their power to redress It,
I make this attempt to secure the attention OF
members Of the House Of Representatives to
matter which you have either utterly ignored
or treated with contempt.
The facts, then, gentlemen of the House of
Representatives, are that a number of beneyo-.
lent and charitable associations exist in this
country. They are chiefly the various mis-
sioDary, Church extension and educational
societies and boards of tae different denomina-
tons of Christians.
These are all sustained In their benevolent
work by voluntary contributions, and their
services are conceded to be q great public
benefit. .s
They are expected to publish annually
report of their doings, and to put in the pos
session Of their friends and supporters such
additional information as win tend to increase
the efficiency and value Of their work. To do
this they need to avail themselves of the
United States mails.
Under the law and the rulings of the De-
partment for the last year, the postage on
these "annuals," "for free distribution" has
been about six times as much as other pub
fishers have to pay on their monthly and
quarterly magazines.
While the bill regulating tine rates of post
age was pending before the Senate committee,
these facts, with specimen copy of one of the
publications referred to, were laid before
Senator Hamlin, with the request, not that
special favor should be accorded, but that
such publications should be placed on level
with other and similar printed matter con-
tanning useful Information for the people.
But instead Of providing for the justice asked,
he puts into the bill the wrong complained of,
as if to give It emphasis and the unmistaka-
ble sanction of the proposed law.
Under these circumstances, we appeal to the
House Of Representatives, We do not ask
any discrimin alton in favor of these charita-
bic and benevolent corporations. Egt-
On all our letters, circulars, sc.-a large
correspondence-we cheerfully pay the usual
postage. We only ask that we shall be al
lowed the use OF the mails for the same con
sideratiou that other publishers pay for matter
Of no more public benefit. I say OTHER publish
ers, for these benevolent corporations are all
publishers of these 'tannuals." We have only
asked "equal and exact" justice, and viii be
satisfied with no less.
lam aware that 1t is said that men q will
not say parties) long in power become indiffer-
ent to the wishes Of their constituency. This
may or may not be so, but 1t ia well for all to
remember that in a republic they are still the
servants of the people who viii not fall to find,
sooner or later, redress for real wrongs. As
Mr.. Hamlin has failed to secure the redress OF
an unmist akable wrong, on respectful ap-
plication to him, appeal is hereby made TO the
House of Representative. -.
Very respectfully, A. j. KrNErr,