The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-12-21
A Wise Suggestion.


from Illinois. has suggested an amendment
or rider to the Post Office Appropriation
bill, which should meet the approval OF
every newspaper, and every intelligent cit
izen of the country. The proposition is to ad-
NIT free ofpostage papers mailed at the office
of publication. AS the law stands tax is
exacted of w. cents per pound for all papers
sent to regular subscribers outside of the
counties where the papers are published. This
imposes heavy charge ON newspaper pub
lish ers, especially in the rural sections OF
the country, where. in many cases. the re-
ceipts Of the Office are hardly sufficient to
keep the publications alive. There are
very few newspapers which do not serve
as public educators, and in the light that
the information they disseminate is OF adj
vantage to the people, should they be con-
sidered by Congress. There should be no
hostile legislation, at least. There are now
several bills before the senate proposing
liberal appropriations from the public
treasury for educational purposes. The pol
icy is recognized OF the government aiding
the dissemination OF knowledge 10 the
publication OF the Congressional Record,
containing the proceedings Of Congress
the bills introduced. laws enacted, and the
views OF members upon the interests and
questions involved. The idea presented
in the educational bills introduced and
printed, and the publication Of the pro-
ceedings OF Congress, at the government
expense, is that it is wise economy to en-
courage and foster all agencies designed
to spread information among the people.
stimulate public thought and familiarize
the constituent body with important public
questions affecting national INTERESTS
When the policy embraced in this action
of Congress is recognized, we cannot un.
derstand why it is that newspapers, from
which Congressman themselves receive and
accept suggestions, and to which the peO-
pie, in all their diversified relations, look
for the current discussion Of the matters
presented for Congressional action, should
be burdened with tax. which many OF
them are lily able to bear.
There is no more potent director AID
moulder of public thought than we'll
conducted news paper. whose editor com.
prheends the mission Of journalism and
measures up to its high demands. 1t reaches
almost every hearth.stone and in the de-
gree that it intelligently discusses matters
of public concern, does it influence public
marily private enterprises, but at the same
lime they are public servants, and fire.
qnently perform their functions without
adequate compensation. Every article pub
lshed Is designed for public information,
and it is through the newspaper that the
people become acquainted with the diver
sified transpirancies OF their own and 9th.
err countries. There is palpable incon-
sistency in making the mails the aavenue Of
transmitting merchandise at nominal cost;
in reducing letter postage to mere tritie,
and at the same time imposing a tax upon
newspapers, which are accepted by the
public as the conduits of useful informa.
ton and in which the current history Of
the country is reflected.
1t is from no selfish purpose that we favor
the proposition Of Mr.. Townshend. A long
experience in journalism convinces US that
the newspaper, properly conducted. is one
of the most effective educators known to
the country. There is more salutary labor
for the public welfare performed than by
any other class of public servants. 1t
reaches every nook and corner of our wide
extended domain. 1t comes in contact
with every form Of thought Of the human
mind, and leaves its impress upon old and
young, wherever it circnlates, The infor-
nation it disseminates cannot be measured
by dollars and cents, nor can it be consid
cred in the class of private enterprises which,
call for government exactions and tax inn
positions. We are very sure, when men,
bers Of Congress take up the question pre-
sented in Mr.. Townshend's rider" and
give it that reflection its importance de-
mands, they will find their minds reach ing.
out into broad field of thought, compre-f
hending a source of public instruction
which is not properly appreciated nor its
influence legitimately guaged. The news
paper is the great public educator, and as
such it should be considered by our nation
al law makers.
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.
The remarkable increase of the bu.
siness OF the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail-
road is illustrated by the following
statement in the Baltimore Mark journal
of the 9th. The development has been SO
rapid along its Line and the enterprise so
comprehensive and tireless, that the freight
age resultin has been enormous, necessi.
tating the company to its utmost exertions
to provide accommodations for it.. Then
the business dependent upon the carrying
capacity OF the road is yet in its infancy
The completion of the Western and South
western connections, has scarcely COM
menced to direct trade to this great tho
roughfare. A few years will witness an
enormous local and through freightage.-
The coal and iron interests of the Virginias,
and the grain and stock products of the
West. supplemented by increasing travel
every month, will demand largely increased
rolling-stock, and assure an unexampled
prosperity not only to the railroad, but the
country through which it passes. The
Journal says:
Serious complaints have been made by Baltimore
merchants of the delay In the delivery Of goods
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. The matter has
been brought before the transportation committee
of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association,
and Mr. John R. Bland secretary Of the association
apeake and Ohio Company. Mr.. Bland says he
found that there ts no discrimination made against
by the company To all points west of
which embraces about eighty per
cent Of the line and all Of the best territory, the
rates are considerably lower from Baltimore than
from New York. The delay OF goods in transit
from Baltimore Is caused by the want OF rolling
stock by the Chesapeake and Ohio Road. Its traffic
both have similar complaints to make
Of delay In the transportation of goods. Mr.. Bland
was ted that the company ordered nfty engines
eighteen months ago, and recently ordered rs en-
gtnes and 600 cars. The company has assured the
committee OF the Merchants and
Association "that they will do every
thing in their power to facilitate the movement Of
freight from Baltimore. and they would under no
discriminate agafnet q market with
which they enjoy SO large traffic." Mr.. Fitch,
general freight agent of the road, is expected in
IN few days, and will make personal
OF the facts In the case. n