PETITION FOR CHEAP POSTAGE.
To THE Senate AND House OF Representatives OF THE United States, IN Congress ASSEMBLED:The undersigned, citizens of Northumberland County, Pa.
respectfully petition Congress to pass a law, establishing
1. A uniform rate of Two Cents on letters weighing half an ounce, and two cents for every additional half ounce,
prepaid, and double that rate if not prepaid. Drop letters one cent.
2. Newspapers, periodicals, and all printed matter, one cent per sheet; but newspapers
of the smaller size half a cent., to be prepaid, except newspapers and periodicals sent from the office of publication. ^Newspapers under 30 miles free of postage^
3. To reduce the postage on letters and newspapers by mail packets and steamers, to
a rate which will bring it within the means of every class of citizens to maintain
frequent intercourse with their friends in other countries, without feeling the postage
to be a burdensome tax.
4. To adopt measures that in all large towns and cities there shall be a free delivery
of letters and newspapers, and also for the reception and conveyance of letters to
the post-office for the mails free of any expense.
5. To abolish the franking privilege entirely, that postage may be paid on every thing
sent by the mails. Postage of members of Congress to be paid as their other expenses,
and postmasters to be remunerated for the loss of the franking privilege and the temporary
diminution of their income, by an increase of their commissions.
5. To abolish the franking privilege entirely, that postage may be paid on every thing
sent by the mails. Postage of members of Congress to be paid as their other expenses,
and postmasters to be remunerated for the loss of the franking privilege and the temporary
diminution of their income, by an increase of their commissions.
| NAMES. | PLACE OF RESIDENCE. |
| Peter. B. Masser | Sunbury Pa |
| Peter Lazarus | Do" |
| B. Wistar Morris | "" |
| Henry Gulick | Uper Agusta |
| Jonah [?] | "" |
| John Clark Jn | "" |
| J. B. [Mapes?] | Sunbury Pa |
| W. A. [Fetter?] | Sunbury Pa |
| Wm H. Muench | |
| J. C. Shepherd | |
| Aaron Kelly [?] | |
| J. P. Christ | Sunbury |
| Robt Gaston | Lewis [?] |
| Andrew Guffy | Delaware " |
| George Blain | Turbut " |
| Fred [Lazanos?] | Sunbury |
| H B Mapes | Do |
| Jno. P. [Pursel?] | Do |
| J. S. Hall | do |
| [H?] B Martin | do |
| Peter [Kingborn?] | Do |
| " | |
| Ed. W. Bright | " |
| Chas [S. Morgan?] | " |
| M G [?] | " |
| [Elias Browning?] | " |
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[SUNBURY Pa.?]JAN
31
FREE
Hon. James PollockM.C.Washington City[ docketing
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Pa.
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Petition of Peter B. Masser, and twenty three other citizens of Northumberland Co.
Pa, asking a reduction of postage & praying the abolition of the franking privilege.
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February 5, 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.
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Com Post office & Roads
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√
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Pollock
Partially Printed Document Signed, 2 page(s), RG 233, Entry 367: Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Thirtieth Congress, 1847-1849, Records of Legislative Proceedings, Petitions and Memorials, Resolutions of State Legislatures, and Related Documents Which Were Referred to Committees, 1847-1849, NAB