Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-12-20
NEWSPAPERS POSTAGE.
An OPPOrIune Movement for lis
Reduction.


The annual report Of Postmaster Cen
eral Howe for the fiscal year ending June
SO, 1882 IS received by the Times aud Is
a document we'll worthy Of careful study.
Mr.. Howe makes everything clear and
easily understood Indeed, we think the
country has been very fortunate in secur-
ing the services Of 40 abe and efficient
an tthcer. Ihera nc Ambiguity in his
statements He discusses the matters az.
pertaining % his Office with dignity and
ability, and he gives ample reasons for the
suggestions he offers. His recommenda-
tons are based on sound PRINCIPLES, and
Notwithstanding the fact that grave diff
culties surround the assumption by the
government Of the telegraph lines, vet
the reasons he gives for Il are unassail-
able.
MIR. Howe has made his department Of.
thepublio service his especial study, and
consequently he is fully abreast, il not in
advance of public opinion He is fully
in accord with the movement In Congress
to reduce the rate Of letter postage from
three to two cents per half 0ance and be
reiterates stronger in his letter to the.
Speaker ofthe House OF Representatives
In May last theRbsurdity of carrying mer-
chandise in the mails at a cheaper rate
than necessary correspondence. His
recommendation OF last year relative to
newspaper postage is again repeated, and
he urges the absurdity Of carrying a news
psper in the mails for one subscriber and
not for another from the same office of
publication, but this portion Of the report
we will give in his own words:
II remain Of the opinion expressed in
my letter TO the Speaker Of the House OF
Representatives onShe 18th Of May last,
that the postage on second-class mstte
ought properly to be abolished. 1t does
no. seem just and ifnot Just il cannot be
wise to charge for carrying some news
papers, and to carry others free, or to
charge for carrying a newspaper to some
subscribers and 10 carry the same news
paper TO others without charge.
Il wish also to repeat aud TO empha-
Size, the opinion expressed in the same
letter, that the rate of postage on the
lourth-class matter should be increased
To charge three cents per half ounce for
carrying messages from one postofice to
another, and yet to carry merchandise
from one side of the continent 10 the
other for one cent an ounce is not APPROX
ed by good sense If it is by good moral. y
Here is the whole matter ia q nutshell
"A matter which very much affects the
interests of newspaper publishers, and
that class of publishers, too. who furnish
the general public with reading matter at
the least cost.
Commencing on the huge proportions Of
tho Postal Service and its cost of 5000,
600 annually tothe people, the Postmaster
General says it should be made to do what
it can do, and that it should do that we'll.
He gives elegant reasons, not only in a
saving of money, but in a lessening Of la
Dor, why postage stamps should be dis
continued and only stamped envelopes
used, even though they were furnished
for the price ofthe stamps.
He also refers 20 the Postal Service in
Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, and
remarks that in these countries the post
Office does a business in tie collection 'oi
bills that has not been attempted here.
He might also have said that the Dominion
Of Canada was in advance of US in the
abolition Of newspaper postage from the
office of publication. Postal savings bank,
are also recommended. This system ha:
worked well in England and also in
Canada. There is absolute security t6thf
depositor, and we suppose that it is only q
question o ftime as to its adoption here.
The Times has time and again express
ed the hope that the newspaper publishers
would generally express their views on
the question eff the entire abolishing OF
postage on newspapers when mailed from
the office of publication. Mr.. Towns
bend bill is again before the House, and
an unanimous opinion of the press timely
given might do much to help the I'LL on
its passage through Congress.
The time is very opportune for such a
movement. Changes in the postal rates
On letters viii certainly be made, and
Congress will be in a mood to fayorably
consider the postage on newspapers il
publishers only exhibit due interest in
the matter. They are in a position 10
make their opinions easily heard. They
need no lobby, and in desiring this meas
ure they will only be asking what the
Postmaster General, who is the best au-
thority in the matter, recommends.