Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1882-12-14

Postal Matters.
The report Of the postmaster general gives
evidence Of the satisfactory condition Of that
department, and contains many valuable data
and accompanying suggestions which cannot
fail to be of interest. The information which
II affords that the receipts for the fiscal year
have exceeded the expenditures must be very
gratifying to congress and the people Of tho
country. As matters which may fairly caii
particular attention, refer you to his obsc
walton in reference to the adyisability of chuus
ing the present basis for fixing salaries and
allowances of extending the money order
system, of cnlarging the finances of the postal
establishments to be under It's control, the
telegraph system Of the country; though from
this last and most important recommendation
! must withhold my concurrence.
At the last session of congress several bills
were introduced into the house of representa-
tlyes for the
REDUCTION OF LETTER POSTAGE
to the rate Of two cents per half ounce,
have given much study and reflection to
this and am thoroughly convinced that such
action would be well for the hest interest ui
the public. 1t has been the policy of the gov
crnment from its foundation to defray as far
as possible the expenses Of carrying the mails
by direct tax In the form of postage. II has
never been claimed, however, that this service
ought to be productive of net revenue. As
has been stated already the report of the post
master gene. y shows that there is now very
considerable surplus in his department, and
that henccforth the receipts are likely to in
crease at a much greater ratio than the expend-
itures. Unless some change is made in the
existing laws the profits Of the postal service
will, In very few years, swell the revenues Of
the government many millions of dollars. The
time seems auspicious for some reduction in
the rates of postage. In what shall that re-
duction consistl a
REVIEW OF THE LEGISLATION
which has been had upon this subject during
the last thirty years discloses that domestic
letters constitute the only class Of mail mat
tiers which has never been favored by any sub
stantial reduction In rates, | am convinced
that the burden of maintaining the service
falls most unequally upon that class, and that
more than any other It is entitled to present
relief. That such relief may be extended
without detriment to other public interests
will be discovered upon reviewing the results
Of former reductions. Immediately prior to
the act Of 1S45 the postage upon letter com
posed of single sheet was as follows;
II conveyed 30 miles or less, Q cents.
Between 80 and so miles, 10 cents.
Between so and 150 miles, 12lf cents.
Between $50 and 400 miles, 1881 cents.
Over 500 miles, 25 cents.
By the act of ls45 the postage upon single
letter conveyed for any distance under 800
miles was fixed at cents and for any greater
distance at 10 cents
By the act of 1851 II was provided that
single letter II prepaid should Be carried any
distance not to exceed 5000 miles for 3 cents
and any greater distance for cents 1t will
be noticed both Of these reductions were OF
radical character and relatively quite as i'm
portant as that which is now proposed.
In each case there ensued temporary loss |
1f revenue, but sudden and large influx OF |
business which substantially recovered that |
oss within three years. Unless the experience
q past legislation IN this country and else
Ihsrs goes for nsught 1t may bs