Third-class Postage

The present outrageously extortionate late of postage on printed or third-class matter has proved a source of very considerable proflt to the express corapanies. A gi-eat many paokages which f ormerly passed through the mail pouches are now sent by express. The house of representatives passed a bilí for the reform of this evil several days ago. Since then Senator Hamlin, chairraan of the committee on postoffice affairs, has introduced a bilí whieh would be a great improvement on the piesent law. It provídes as foliows: " Fe distancen not exceeding twoiniles, one cent for each two ounces or f raotional part thereof ; for distances botween 300 and 800 müea, two cents ; for diatances between 800 and 1,500 miles, three cents, and for each additional 1,000 miles, one cent additional for each two ounces or fractional part thereof. A apecial rato is, however, proposed for transient newspaperB and magazines, namely, one cent for every two ounceB or fractional part thereof. for any distance not exceeding 1,000 miles, butfor auy greater distance doublé this rate is to bé paid. I The bilí also provides that all occasional publications, prices cuiTent, catalogues, and annuals, and all regular publicationa devoted primarily to advertiaing purpoaes, or for free circolation at nominal aubscription rates, shall hereafter Je conaidered and charged as thirdclaas matter. Other provisiona authorize the writing of a brief form of presentation, or of a brief description upon books and magazines, or any other articles mailed aa third-class matter, and allow insufliciently prepaid matter to be carried to its deatination m cásea ivhere there has not been an evident intention to underpay the fuli amount ; provided that doublé the deficiency shall be collected at tho other end. When the sender ia known, however, he is to be notifled and required to make f uil prepayment." The present law was passed in the last hours of an expiring congress, and tht only excuse for its passage olTered was the plea that it was supported under a misapprehension. Prompt work should' be made of its repeal. The present rate is one cent for each ounce or fraction thereof, and it was further provided that no package weighing more than four ponnds should be mailable. A statement from the postmaster at New York shows that the revenue of the government at that office from third-class matter has fallen off several hundred thousand dollars since the present law went into effect. Throughout the country the remailing transient newspapers has been so far stopped as to be a serious embargo upon the dissemination of knowiedge.