The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-29
THE NEW POSTAL RATES.
SuppIanting the Three-Cent Stamp
with the Two-Cent One.
The First Postofice in America-EarIy His
tory and Growth of the Postal System
indianapolis Office.

The new postage law goes into effect next Monday
when the rate domestic Matchmaker will be re-
duced from three cents to two cents per half
The change marks the beginning of an important
epoch in the growth of the mail service and the his
tory of the country's progress, covering perGt Of
ninety years, dating from Feb 20, 1892, when Con-
gress enacted the first law fixing the rates of postage
on domestic letters.
PROGRESS OF POSTAL RATES.
The rates were then regulated by distances and by
the sheets of paper in letter. For a distance be-
tween thirty and sixty miles, the rate fixed at
eight cents; from sixty to one hundred miles,
ten cents; from hundred to two hundred
miles, 10 cents, and where the distance than
$50 miles, the rate % cents. On letter contain
ing more than sheet of paper, the rates dou
BILE. Eighteen years later April 80 1910, the rates
were reduced to cents letter of single sheet for
distance of forty miles, 10 cents for ninety miles and
% cents for 500 miles In 1916 the again
changed making reduction so cents for less than
thirty miles, and rs for miles, The
rates were reafirmed in 1925. In 1915 a change was
made to cents for less than 300 miles, and 10 cents for
any greater distance Up to this time the postage
paid by the person to whom the mail delivered.
In March, 1851, the rate reduced to if pre-
paid, and cents if net, for 5000
miles, and for any greater distance 10 cents.
The act of February 81 1851 abolished the limit of
United States at three cents per half ounce, which
has now continued in operation unchanged for near
ly twenty-five years
EARLY HISTORY OF THE MAIL SERVICE.
Although the United States mail service was not
tabshed until 1892 the history of the country pos
tai system dates from 1872 when the first postofce
this side of the Atlantic established by Governor
Lovelace at New York. Thirty-eight years after
ward New York designated by the Postmaster
general of Great Britain the chief letter office in
America, and snch it has remained from the begin
master at Philadelpha, with pr: William Hunter,
wa was made made deputy postmaster general for
self-susaining, but he was removed from the office
by King George for political reasons. After the in
auguration of General Washington in April 1889, the
Pestoffice Department was organized and Samuel Os-
good, OF Massachusetts,, became the first Postmaster
i've post9fices and 1875 miles of mail routes in the
states In the administration of the affairs of his Of
clerk 1t is shown, by the official reports that the
transportation of the mails for the year cost s22
penditures amounted to s32 4O leaving net revenue
Of IS, 1876 Passing over the history of the marvellous
development OF the service during ninety three years.
it is shown that III in a., 1882 the receipts
bursemeats We're So %. For the ye is
ending June 80 1888 the surplus revenue amounted to
more than 50 900 600 On the first day of September
There are now l,79Oin Indiana.
GROWTH OF THE INDIANAPOLIS PosToFFICE.
1t is now little than sixty years since the Iu-
dianapolis pcstofce was established. In 1922 Samuel
Henderson was appointed postmaster, and mail was
received once week in small pouch. Now one hun
dred pouches received and dispatched daily.
Nearly 10000 letters, postalcards, and papers are
sent out through the mails daily Its postal receipts
during the fiscal year ending June 3d. 1885, were $780,
taGhod Sf h bfns ~ ntsd
the best in the country, The maasge@ent Of
Postmaster Wildman has been cafefuf aid tu1;cious
the employees.