Show POSTAL RATES there is uno subject saya brad dreels in a recent fasce in reference to which it now seems fair to expect that action more or less prompt will be taken by the present congress at least we defor to the matter of reducing the rate of letter postage when the senate committee on Post offices reported adversely the preposition to reduce the rate of letter postage to ono cent per ounce the fact was pointed out that this action could not be regarded as disposing of the matter finally and that in fact there was a sentiment abroad which called for the change sinco that time a cliance has come over the conditions of the question so important has the matter been regarded that one of the great parties mado a demand for the reduction of letter postage a plank in its platform in the late electoral contest this party as it happens was success 1 ful in that contest not only as regards the presidency but also as regards the house of representatives Representative a so that the entire responsibility for legislation will fall upon that party alter the expiration of alie present session of congress if that party should give simply effect in legislation to ita declaration regarding postage reduction the needed change would be accomplished are evidences avi dences also that amock officials engaged inalie postal tion there is a greater i to accept the principle at the basis of the change and less disposition to lay stress upon tho idea that tho postal system should bo self sustaining an idea which seemed to be the bais of the senate committees adverse report last year the third assistant postmaster gener al in his recent report while he expresses no opinion as to the present expediency ency of reducing postal rates makes a number of suggestions on the assumption that legislature of that nature will probably be enacted in tho near future this is in line with the belief which is firmly held by the great mass of intelligent people in alie united baates that the main object of tho postal establish should bo to furnish as widely extended as expeditious and as efficient a services possible a service which will keep equal step with the growth of the count rys requirements for means of communication it is this end which should be kept mainly in view in legislation affecting the post office department or in tho administration of its affairs Tho extension of postal facilities will make itself felt in the commerce tho industry the social habits and the general civilization of the people stress has been laid upon the effects of an extension of communication muni cation by mean the postal system which binds tho whole country in a chain of sympathies and makes it in truth one great neighborhood it is the spirit which dictated these words that is needed in dealing with the postal system today to day it is a great civilizing force nith all that those words imply and every true friend of civilization will be found advocating every reasonable extension of tho system even at the temporary expense of a swollen revenue and opposing attempts to secure legislation curtailing existing postal lucli aa are sometimes made and are promoted by mistaken or ill balanced bala aced of one kind or another or by ignorance of the high function which a postal establishment discharges in the actual world of today to day |