Woodstown register. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 187?-1892, 1882-12-12

Representatives for the reduction of letter
postage to the rate of 2 cents per half
ounce. There is now very considerable
surplus in PostoHice revenue, and hence
forth the receipts are likely to increase
at much greater ratio than the necessary
expenditures. During the last thirty
years. domestic letters constitute the only
class of mail matter which has never been
favored by substantial reduction of rates.
Immediately prior to the act of r845. the
post &c upon letter composed of single
sheet was as follows If conveyed thirty
miles or less, s cents; between 80 and
80 miles. 10 cents /; between so and $50
miles, I2H cents; $50 to 500 miles.
1874 cents, over 500 miles. rs cents. By
the act Of I845 the postage upon single
letter conveyed for any distance under
900 miles was fixed at 5 cents and for any
greater distance at 10 cents BY the act
of 1851, it was provided that a single
letter, if prepaid should be carried any
distance not exceeding 5000 miles for 8
cents, and any greater distance for cents.
Stimulus of 33I per cent. reduction in
tax for carriage would at once increase the
number Of letters consigned to the mails.
The advantages Of secrecy would lead to
a very general substitution of sealed pack
cts for postal cards and open circulars,
and the volume of frst-class matter would
be greatly augmented. The act Of 1916
was passed in face Of the fact that there
existed deficiency OF more than 100000.
That Of 1851 was encouraged by the slight
surplus Of sI3a. 900. The, excess of reve-
nue. in the next fiscal year is likely to be
$3.50, 600. II it may be deemed desirable,
on account of the letter rate reduction to
2 cents. increase the charge for carrying
merchandise which is now only sixteen
cents per pound.
Star Route frauds must be prosecuted
with the utmost vigor of the law.
The President renews the recommends
/ tions to extend tothe Indian the protection
Of the law, alietting land in severalty to
such as desire it, and making su.table
provisions for the education of the youth.
The railroad companies to which large
grants Of land were made by the acts of
1862 and 1864 neglecting to take title
thereto, and escaping local taxation. should
be dealt with more severely.
There is an alarming state Of illiteracy
in certain portions. of the country. 1t is
momentous question for the decision of
Congress, whether Immediate and SUBJ
stantiaT aid should be extended by the
General Government for supPlementing
the efforts of private benevolence and of
State and Territorial legislation in behalf
| of education. SIT @
Alaska is still without any form Of civil
coyesnsnent. y means were provided
for y, 49,. K saiS = s,.ts~
psS.-ctiosy - IN lives and property the
immense resources Of the region would
invite permanent settlements and open
new fields for industry and enterprise.
The condition of the forests of the
country and the wasteful manner in which
their destruction is taking place give cause
for serious apprehension. Their action
| in protecting the earth's surface, in modi-
flying the extremes of climate, and in reg
| ulating and sustaining the flow of springs
and streams is now well understood. and
their importance in relation to the glowth
and prosperity of the country cannot be
safely disregarded. E
| The civil list now comprises about Ioo,.
900 persons, far the larger part of whom
must, under the terms of the Constitution,
be selected BY the President, either direct
ly or through his own appointees. This
necessarily diverts his time and attention
from the proper discharge of other duties
no less delicate and responsible. and which
in the very nature of things cannot be del
egated to other hands. ~
1t matters little to the people at large
| (says the Presidency what competent per-
sons is at the head of this department or
that bureau. if they feel assured that the
removal Of one and the accession of an
other win not involve the. retirement of
honest. faithful subordinates, whose duties
are purely administrative and have no le-
climate connection with the triumph of
any political principles or the success of
any political party or faction.
The President in July authorized pub
lie announcement that employees Of the
Government should regard themselves at
liberty to exercise their pleasure in making
or refusing to make political contributions,
and that their action in that regard would
in no manner affest their offic ial status.