The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-02-26

BY ARTHUR W.. DUNN.
Washington, Feb. 24.-[Special 1T
often happens that congress tries to
pass the most radical legislation dur
ing the closing hours of congress. 1t
liz true that some OF the most impor-
tant legislation that has ever been IN
~acted--and this applies particularly to
the last quarter of a century-has been
passed I'm the closing days Of an ex-
piring congress.
Six years ago President Taft and
Postmaster General Hitchcock at
tempted to put through a radical
change I'm the second class mail priv
ilege, and 1t was defeated after a Wig
orous fight.
This year an attempt was made to
double the rate on second class postage
In the closing days of congress, and
this also was defeated after a very
vigorous fight, because senator's did
not believe that under such a stress
there should he "a great and important
change affecting so many interests
throughout the country. Sooner or lat
err the question OF raising SECOND class
rates Will be taken up again. The pro
posal always finds a champion some
where.
Facts and Second Class Mail.
1t is a curious fact that senators and
representatives In the discussion Of the
second class mai privilege lose sight
of the m Faptapf faaf41rn which uua
brought out thirty-two years ago, In
1886, when the present second class
rate was established, that 1t was the
intention Of the government to carry
newspapers and periodicals at a rate
much less than the cost in order TO
disseminate the literature and reading
matter throughout the entire country.
have done the same, notably Canada,
which has even gone further than the
United States In this regard.
They Look ut the Cost.
From an observation of the debates
that have occurred In congress during
the past few weeks IL liz apparent that
senators and representatives who have
interested themselves In the subject OF
second class mail have looked simply
at the cost as shown by the postoffice
department and have not taken into
consideration anything else. 1t is well
known that the newspapers. period
Gals and such publications create enor.
nous business In the United States
and that they stimulate the first class
mail, which Is regarded as wholly prof
liable III paying expenses of the post
office department.
Yet In all the debates little or moth
ing was said upon this line.
One Cent Letter Postage.
In connection with the attempt made
TO increase the rates for second class
mail matter there Is another interest
ing point. Those who are most ear
nestly In favor OF bringing about an
increase Of second class rates are the
most earnest In trying to secure a re
duction Of first class postage on drop
letters. The words drop letters re
late to first class mail I'm cities. The
country districts would not benefit by
this In the least, and the farmers,
workingmen and all others who are
not engaged In big business would not
benefit at all, while bankers, railroads,
business men. merchants and all OF the
big business concerns located In the
cities would be the great beneficiaries.
And yet an attempt has been made
to Increase the rates on second class
mail, which would make subscribers
to newspapers and periodicals pay a
higher rate I'm order to secure one cent
letter postage for the business inter
ests of the cities throughout the Unit
ed States.
Easy to Start Something.
1t is not very hard to start some
thing these days, something that will
lead TO debate. 1t always happens at
the close of a short session OF congress,
when every man Is anxious to get
something through, and then a very lit
tie thing starts a debate that threat
ems to block all business. 1t would
seem that several senators delight In
starting something that will onsume
time.
Solemn and Likewise Dull.
The most solemn proceeding in this
country Is the counting of the electoral
vote. Sometimes the counting Is mo
mentous, but Ii is likewise q very dull.
commonplace and undressing pro
ceeding. For three months the result
has been known, and at the time the
vote is counted by congress Washing
fnn IL nil workad nm oyar tho COMING
inaugural Of the president. And so
these solemn and necessary proceed
ings are without interest.
But supposing the result In California
or In half a dozen other states had been
Ia contest the counting of the votes
would have been a tremendously inter
esting event.
No Official Notice.
President Wilson is not officially no..