Page:The Post Office of Fifty Years Ago.djvu/168

100 the public would prefer a delay in payment entailing a slow delivery and a postage of two-pence, or a payment in advance that would secure a rapid delivery at the postage of one penny. The wish of the public is only the aggregate of the wishes of individuals; and I cannot imagine that any man can desire to subject himself to a charge of two-pence, instead of a penny, for the privilege of exercising the like extortion on others.

However, if, after all, it should be thought unwise at once to attempt the universal application of the principle of payment in advance, I would submit the following arrangement for consideration; stating at the same time, that I have great doubts of the policy of adopting it in preference to the other plan, even as a temporary expedient.

Let the public exercise an option between using the stamped covers, as described at page 41, and sending the letters uncovered and unpaid. Under this arrangement the financial accounts would lie between the central office and the distributors of letters; as there could be no necessity for giving a farther option of paying the postage in money on putting the letter into the office, there would be no such accounts between the central office and the receivers of letters. Still, as the distributors are much more numerous than the receivers of letters, accounts would be increased in number. Let the postage of such letters be something higher than the price of stamped covers, say a penny more, that is, two-pence for half an ounce. Let the unpaid letters be kept separate from the others throughout their progress, for the sake of convenience in making out the accounts. On the arrival of the bags at the place of destination, let the stamped letters be first assorted and dispatched for delivery; then let the unpaid letters be accounted for, assorted, and dispatched for delivery by another letter-carrier; or by the same on his return, after completing the first delivery. In country places, where the houses are scattered, and the letters few, one delivery might serve for all.

Under this arrangement, the rapid delivery, to secure which I have proposed the payment in advance, would still be secured as regards the stamped letters; while the higher charge for the unpaid