Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-17
THE POSTAL LAW.
Some Results of Its Present
Administration.
Many Recent Radical Changes on
Second Class Matter.
A Discussion on the Law as it Actually
is, and Its Application.
by William Fl. futile Of Chicago, Attor-

(By William Fl. futile Of Chicago, Attor-
ney OF National Publishers Bureau).
There are some avocations in life that
have very close relation to human well
fare ana that attract our best citizens
because Of the opportunities afforded to
those engaged in such lines of work to
take part in shaping a higher destiny
for mankind. Success in euch an avo-
cation is not measured by mercenary
standards. A livelihood may be q. nee
essary incident. but only an incident.
70 those engaged in noble callings the
inspiration ana satisfaction of settling
great issues ana working out the prob
,-nT of humanity count for more than
wealth. Such q calling as this / regard
journalism. 1t is with great satisfac-
ton that | address those who in the
onward march Of events are on the
firing line" Your fingers are on the
pulse Of progress. Your pens direct the
sentiments and aspirations Of mankind.
You are the architects Of destiny, the
guardians OF liberty ana morality
| think of three great forces in the
higher development of mankind; they
are the church, the public school and
the free press. | would not try to DEM
Onstratc which Of these three factors
is the greatest. | thoroughly respect
the influence of the church, to one
branch Of which | belong; but ! have
found the press 50 far as | have in 4
modest way come in contact with deli
rite and important reform movements,
more willing to undertake and NOR"
efficient to secure dcinit" moral ANA
civic reforms than the church. MI, Il
Of our success in lif" is due to our pub
lie schools but our school days nave
an end. 1t is the province of a free an |
enlightened press at all times and in ail
conditions to instruct, direct and en-
courage. WHO snail measure the in
fiucncc on our ciViliz"tio Of the free
press? It's task, gladly accepted, and
well performed, is that Of keeping AL
people acquainted with each others
joys and sorroWS, of making the
achievements of one of the common lot
of All, Of pointing out dangers in So
ciety and state ana Of inspiring to lof-
tier endcaN orS ana greater achieve
ments The welfare of the nation de-
pends upon the freedom Of its press.
Anything that shall interfere with the
freedom Of the press, that snail CauS"
its rays to shine less bright or through
colOred or distorted lenses, that shall
turn its aearchliGht aside from dark
ened corners, has in it the greatest
menace not only to publishers but to
the public generally. In view of the
importance of the subject just men
toned let us raise the question whether
or not we have in every desirable par
ticular complete freedom of, the press
my answer would he under the present
II. 81. eft-4
ton Of the law. cmphatically no. The
present mal-administration of the pos
tai law is not only destroying the very
foundation of the free press but is un-
dermining the fortress Of our liberty ae
nation. | shall demonstrate that
statement ~ the facts necessarily in
VoIVed in thorough discussion OF, my
subject. | have sought in this preface
TO give you that which may well con
stitutn tie keynote Of our present dis
cussion. If you nave no more vita
concern about the present postal diff
cultirs than general interest in the
misfortunes that may have hefaller
your fellow publishers, you are missing
The lesson Of the hour. The same line
of action that has thus far deprived
publishers of their rights in limited
destroy Your business ana give arri
trary autocratic power to the eXecu
live officers Of the government.
ANY intelligent discussion of my sub
icct must be divided into two heads
on the one hand we must con
s,dor tho law as it actually is and o.
the other hand its application. l an
unite sure YOU are more familiar will
a. g Ia. Ia
are with the law itself. The aVeraG
publisher knows little about his actuH
rights under the postal law, the aver
nce lawyer knows less about u am
what the average citizen knows upol
the subject is usually an error. Tn
publisher is compelled by circum
stances to rely for his information OF
the postal guides or published regula
,,ons of the postal department in whic
th.. law is sniothered beyond recogni
tion in n mass of administrative regu
lations. He usually accepts evelythin
therein as the law and as conclusive !
determining his rights. Until within
.ouple of years the publishers have ha
silent occasion to consult an attorne
along the lines of their postal rclato
TO the government and attorneys nav
had no occasion to inquire into IN
postal law. There is TO text book ue
+,oted TO this subject to aid the laWye
and as / have fCdnd out by eXperiehc
the lawyer must eXpend gfel
amount of time in research if he Woul
become master of this subject tnoe
such conditions the average citizen ma
small chance of becoming correctly u
formed. If we should start VII
foundation principles in considering Ut
relation of the two branches of OF
subject. the law and its application
so each other, we would mn
ourselves starting with the constituuo
Of the United States. which provide
that Congress may establish post Once
and post roads. Under this authorl'
congress early esta blished q postal 81
tem ana provided that there shall
at the eeat of government an execuuN
department ana n postmaster Seher'
who shall be ut the head thereof al
who shall be appointed by the Pres
dent by and with the advice ana COZ
t<eni of the Senate and who may
removed in the same manner. III
made the duty of the postmaster sei
eral Ito superintend generally the pus
pess of the department and execute 3