Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-17

the subject of these paper covered
| books has several times been brought
to the attention Of Congress in bills
usually introduced by Mr.. Loud OF
! California and Congress has been
urged 10 change the law 50 as to ex-
| clude such publications, but mas rr-
fused each time to make the change
| There is not an example in the history
of the government of a more arbitrary
unlawful administrative act than the
| present exclusion Of serials or paper
covered books.
/ Inasmuch as the post Office depart
mert endeayors in some manner to
give its arbitrary exclusion Of paper
| covered books some excuse in that such
an order is greatly to the advantage Of
the government and the people gen
orally, Mt It's very briefly consider how
Iii ms operated. Whatever additional
postage is at present paid for carrying
| these publica tons is raid by the pur-
| chaser in ln advanced price. Thos H
Who buy this class Of publications are
| least able tn thus contribute directly
| toward the expense of the government
| For the most part. however. such publ
cations have been Withdrawn from thu
mail and are now sent by freight or
| express. The government does not get
tne n"staae whi'h It Would nave other-
I" MT ,''i 'i'7 800 ;il, l'li'1i'
'"' - i''
! panies just as much as if hese publ
cations Ware still carried in the mails
There IL no particular saving to the
government. There is absolute loss
to the people ut Largo in that the price
Of these publications his increased %
p"r cent HIPS only rf'fues " greatly
gam pE IT" transaction arr lHe pun
fishers Of Ma9dTlneS ana the express
JOnu2 nie.. If We may Judge from the
last report Of the department the
MAGAZINES arr enjoying the particular
fnyul. uf The DEPARTMENT. It has been
onaDlv ...sa-ted that the eXr,re;e
co,nranias have been largely in
strt,n,.1tal III seeming the exrlu-
sirn w This class W notifications.
Such Il view of the matter is given
SOM. obedience lfv tho fact that the en-
-,-....... rn,.3.ar.io.; h,y4 raised the uri,a
for carving tho evctuIed periodicals.
but ave- cnlr.ying the periodicals not ,.N-
chGed bN the department ut thr former
rates.
4 presented nm argument AZ the post
master general ana MI Madden in be-
half Of the Sn-callcd paper covered
books and urged upon his attention thr
following considerations.
..L.yen Where a statute is new. III
there is any doubt about its constitute
lion or Interpretation ana its enforce
ment means Widespread disaster, II ls
common tor executive officers 70 Walt
Il decision Of court before putting il IN
to effect. Ne executive ever before
changed the uniform practice and in
Lerpretauon ol ~ years ~ ms iili'iiii1I
the post ono" department no" Pro-
poses. I'he present postmaster general
IS assuming grave responsibility.
Many people may believe WlJh the posi-
master general mar the Ia" shouIu 7"
different; but let mo warn the depart
ln"nt not 10 rely hhth the desire OF O'.t
people for II rhan@e ~ eNlStnE iaM'
even il it believes NJ Wldespfeau' 20 -eH-
cuse y Violation OF the law. ne raul
cal action of the p"stoiflce department
along the lines w nave been diScusSihA
Is revolutionary II HI Tenderness. Il Hi
an assumption Of arbitrary power lel
the department suspend the operation
of its new restrictive reGula IONS VINCE
-