Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-21


The postal bill now before Congress, aiding
burdens to the already oppressive law, and dis
eliminating against country newspaper publishers
is most unjust, and should meet with an early
death One OF its worst features is to compe pub.
fishers to pay postage the circulation within The
county where the newspaper is published. The
circulation Of many of the local newspapers in
Maine is confined almost exclusively to their own
counties they have difficult work to maintain their
existence now, ami this would be the last burden
that would crush them. The people of these vali
Gus sections have just pride in these papers
they are helps 10 tue towns where they pub
lished-help- 10 the social aud business interests
and Congress has no right to wipe them out Of
existence IN order to build up the metropolitan
papers at the large centres. The following peli-
tIon to Congress has been signed by Augusta pub
fishers, and sent to the Representative IN Con-
gress from this district
AUGUSTA, Me-, March l6, 1873.
To the Nembers u the Naiae Delegation ~ Con-
gresS:
GENTLEMEN - The undei gned, newspaper
publishers of this city, desire to call your attention
TO "BIll providing for the Classification Of Mai
Matter aud Rates OF Postage thereon" prepared
by committee of Boston publishers, IN conjsnc
ton with a similar committee in New York and
Philadel phia. The provisions of tins bill, which
is now before the House committee for considcra-
ton, will be found, upon careful examination, to
have been fiamed the interest, Almost exclu-
sNely OF the large newspaper and magazine pub
llshing concerns OF the principal cities, shre~dly
covered up and disguised by speciOus representa-
tons in regard to the alleged unjust operation OF
the present law.
TINS law, although regarded and felt by us as
burdensomc and just in requiring PIE pay ment
of postage al the Office OF publcsllon-tnus re
yersng the usage OF tue department ever since
tha t.hl M he (Toyprumt nf-.tlt
taius some redeeming features, among which IS
the exemption OF newspaper circulation within
the county where published-a provision which,
in our Judgment and experience, is Indispensable
to the prosperity, not to say the very existence vi
the local county press oil the county. In the
draft of the proposed law this exemption is abol-
ished, and these papers are left at the mercy of
class OF powerful competitors who will be able to
monopollze nearly the entire newspaper patronage
of the county.
Among the other objections to the bill, is a pro-
vision permitting publishers 10 send out sample
copies of their publications, without limit. at the
same rate OF postage as TO bona Hde subscribers
thus flooding the mails and imposing heavy
expense foI transportation upon the government,
for the exclusive benefit of the publishers but
without corresponding advantage To the public.
The abuses to which this provision may give
rise are of almost infinite extent and variety, not
the least formidable of which is the facility with
which the mails will be used for advertising pur-
poses. Iaftles utsIlh8 10 CllCuihtt sPtCldi AL
yerlisement throughout the country, can have 1t
inserted in newspaper and, under the "sdmPte,
provision of this bill, can have 1t distributed
through the mails at the rate of two cents per 10.
for postage, when otherwise they would be COM
PEELED to pay one cent-the charge for thlrd-class
matter-for each copy sent, an enormous saviag
to the advertiser and corresponding expense
and loss to the Government.
These are, briefly, some of the reasons, hastily
stated, that we urge against the proposed meas
ure, which has been secretly cOncocted by pow
erful league Of publishers IN the large cities, and
with every probability that it will, with the as
sstanc OF skillful lobbying, be forced through
Congress, without due consideration and without
warning to the numerous class Of country pub
fishers, who are vital Interested in the matter.
We respectfully ask your prompt attention to
the subject, to the end that the project may be
thoroughly ventilated before the committee and
in Congress and that time and opportunity may
he given to the opponents Of the bill to present
the other side of the case.
Respectfully, your obi servants,
(Signed by Publishers OF Farmer, Banner,
Standard, and Journal)
VIII other newspaper publishers in the State,
take similar measures to aid in defeating thi:
schemef