Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1882-12-02
Inisiating Cheap Postage.

Initiating cheap POSTAGE.
The Postmaster General has taken
q step which, 1t is believed In some quar-
tiers will materially affect TIE future
operations and reforms Of the depart
ment. This was in the conclusion Of
contract with Mr.. Leo Ehrlich, of st.
Louis, for the use of his recent ingenious
invention of combination letter sheet
and envelope. The contract was signed
the Ehrlich invention will be on sale
try, In the shape of a letter sheet and
envelope and stamp, all for three cents.
and circular letter and envelope and
stamp for one cent, adding cost of paper.
The unstamped article will find its way
into the market through the stationery
world. This is return to the
sndPLICITY OF CORREsPO NDENCE.
as it was before envelopes were invented
without returning to the disadvantages
of sealing wax, tapers, and waters. The
single letter sheets are manufactured
with gummed flaps, which when the
sheet Is folded, lap over the two open
edges and secure the missive. The
government stamp is to be embossed up
on one of these flaps, and the whole
thing Is licked, stamped, and sealed with
the same motion. This brings the stamp
where the old fashioned wafer and seal
used to be. The postmaster will not be
compelled to apply the cancellation
stamp, as the letter cannot be opened
or the embossed stamp removed, without
destroying the stamp. While the whole
arrangement looks like
ANEAT TRICK
the principal advantage is its cheapness
both to the government and to the gen.
eral public. To the man who writes his
communication on one side of the sheet,
as most business men do, it will be a
saving Of 80 per cent in time and ex-
pense. To the government it will be
equally advantageous. twill cost but
trifie more than an ordinary envelope,
and in general nse will save, it is said,
half the present weight of the letter
mails. The contract with the invent
or provides that the stamped article
shall be manufactured under the super
velOpe agents at Hartford or New York;
that the government is to take no risk
of the public demand, and
RECEIVE NO PROFIT
from such demand beyond the cOnven-
fence and advantage In handling. Those
that are to be put on sale at the stamp
windows will be of the denominations OF
3, 2 and cenl, the latter or circular
form being minus the end flap, or open.
This patent-letter- will be sold at
price ranging from 50 to 81 per 1000
according to the quality of paper used
The contractor retains his rights as pat
entee, the government merely acting as
his agent, and making returns of sales
to him every ninety days for the use of
the scheme. Every facility for their
sale is to beIOffered as Is now offered in the
sale of stamps and stamped envelopes.
The Importance of this innovation on the
future Of the postal department will de.
pend wholly on the
FAVOR AND PREJUDICES
of the general public. If the depart
ment should carry out its design to sci
stamped envelopes at the price of tn,
stamp, as is recommended by the Post
master General. the law will carry thi
invention with it. and the public Car
have a stamped envelope for 3 cents In
one. It would seem to be severe blow
to the stamped envelope business, and t,
be an important factor in hurrying w
cheap postage. The government,
should be added, loses nothing in case o
spelling sheets, having reserved the RICH
to cancellation. Another phase OF thu
case is that Mr.. Ehrlick managed b
skillful lobbying to get bill throug
Congress last session authorizing tn
use of the device by the Postmaster Gen
eral. which will make him a fortune.