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Editorial
April 11, 1796
Gazette Of The United States
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
Editorial urges Congress to adopt a postal reform plan for handling newspaper subscriptions through post offices to ensure reliable delivery, citing British success in boosting circulation and stressing information's vital role in republican government.
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NEWSPAPERS.
In the late report of the Select Committee of the House of Representatives on the Post Office Law, the subject of newspapers is introduced, and some causes are therein assigned for the failures in transmitting them to subscribers. It is not recollected however that the source of the difficulties was noticed, and that is a due responsibility on the part of the Post Office. It is not pretended that newspapers are conveyed under the same sanction as letters. Until this responsibility is created it is in vain to expect that the business will be either regularly or punctually performed.
A plan was suggested, we believe by the late Post Master General, which if adopted will remove every difficulty. It was something like this, That all subscriptions or newspapers to be transmitted by the mail, should be received at the respective Post Offices. That the Deputy Post Masters should be responsible for the subscription money-that the printers should make a certain discount from the subscriptions in favor of the Deputy Post Masters, or the person specially entrusted with the business under him.
The details of this plan would require an additional clerk in the office at the seat of government. An arrangement of this kind in the Post Office in Great Britain took place but a few years since; and by late accounts it appears that the circulation of newspapers in that kingdom has increased from TWO to upwards of TWELVE MILLIONS annually in consequence of it.
The advantages of this plan are obvious, but too numerous to be specified-all impositions may be avoided, and the papers sent in the most favorable condition.
Nothing need be urged to impress the importance of the subject on the minds of Congress. Information is the Soul of a Republic. Good Government subsists by it. Without it, Force, not reason, supports the machine.
In the late report of the Select Committee of the House of Representatives on the Post Office Law, the subject of newspapers is introduced, and some causes are therein assigned for the failures in transmitting them to subscribers. It is not recollected however that the source of the difficulties was noticed, and that is a due responsibility on the part of the Post Office. It is not pretended that newspapers are conveyed under the same sanction as letters. Until this responsibility is created it is in vain to expect that the business will be either regularly or punctually performed.
A plan was suggested, we believe by the late Post Master General, which if adopted will remove every difficulty. It was something like this, That all subscriptions or newspapers to be transmitted by the mail, should be received at the respective Post Offices. That the Deputy Post Masters should be responsible for the subscription money-that the printers should make a certain discount from the subscriptions in favor of the Deputy Post Masters, or the person specially entrusted with the business under him.
The details of this plan would require an additional clerk in the office at the seat of government. An arrangement of this kind in the Post Office in Great Britain took place but a few years since; and by late accounts it appears that the circulation of newspapers in that kingdom has increased from TWO to upwards of TWELVE MILLIONS annually in consequence of it.
The advantages of this plan are obvious, but too numerous to be specified-all impositions may be avoided, and the papers sent in the most favorable condition.
Nothing need be urged to impress the importance of the subject on the minds of Congress. Information is the Soul of a Republic. Good Government subsists by it. Without it, Force, not reason, supports the machine.
What sub-type of article is it?
Press Freedom
Economic Policy
Infrastructure
What keywords are associated?
Newspaper Delivery
Post Office Reform
Subscriptions
Postal Responsibility
British Model
Republican Information
What entities or persons were involved?
Select Committee Of The House Of Representatives
Post Master General
Deputy Post Masters
Congress
Post Office In Great Britain
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Postal Reform For Newspaper Subscriptions And Delivery
Stance / Tone
Advocating For Post Office Responsibility In Newspaper Transmission
Key Figures
Select Committee Of The House Of Representatives
Post Master General
Deputy Post Masters
Congress
Post Office In Great Britain
Key Arguments
Current Post Office Lacks Responsibility For Newspaper Delivery, Leading To Failures.
Newspapers Not Conveyed With Same Sanction As Letters.
Proposed Plan: Receive Subscriptions At Post Offices, Make Deputies Responsible For Money With Printer Discounts.
Plan Requires Additional Clerk At Government Seat.
Similar Arrangement In Britain Increased Newspaper Circulation From 2 To 12 Million Annually.
Advantages Include Avoiding Impositions And Better Paper Condition.
Information Is Essential Soul Of Republic And Good Government.