C. L. THOMPSON, Secretary Board of Trade, Saint Louis.

GEO. KNAPP & CO., Proprietors Missouri Republican, Saint Louis.
S. F. COVINGTON, President Board of Trade, Cincinnati.

ROBERT CLARKE & CO., Publishers, Cincinnati.

*

*M. HALSTEAD & CO., Proprietors Cincinnati Commercial.
ENQUIRER COMPANY, Cincinnati Enquirer.

CYRUS BUSSEY, President Chamber of Commerce, New Orleans.
CLAXTON, REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, Publishers, Philadelphia.

In accordance with this call, the conference, composed of gentlemen from all parts of the country, inet in the post-office at New York October 9, were called to order by J. W. Harper, jr., and organized by the choice of Ellwood E. Thorne, of New York, as president, and H. E. Simmons, of New York, as secretary.

After the appointment of various committees, the conference proceeded to discuss

"The principle of registration as applied to second-class mail matter." Opened by a paper by T. W. Bicknell, of Boston, followed by one by S. S. Wood, of New York.

"The disposition to be made of unpaid and partially-paid letters." A paper on this subject was read by Charles Hutchins, of Boston.

"The demand for frequent, punctual, and quick communication, and the free-delivery service in its convenience and economy." Discussion opened by H. O. Houghton, of Cambridge, Mass.

"The proper functions of the Post-Office Department."

All of these topics were fully discussed, and the last one was considered under the following questions:

At the time of the original establishment of the Post-Office Department as a branch of the government, were its operations intended to include anything beyond the transportation and delivery of correspondence, and the dissemination of public intelligence? Since that time have any circumstances arisen which would justify a departure in any direction from the principle referred to in the preceding question, so as to extend the functions of the post-office beyond those limits?

Is it in accordance with a sound public policy for the Post-Office Department to assume, or to be required by law to undertake, the functions of a common carrier, and so to enter into competition with private individuals or corporations engaged in that vocation?

The conference then adopted the following resolutions:

Resolved, That the primary object of the postal service is the dissemination of correspondence and intelligence for the benefit of the whole people, and that its highest function consists in affording the greatest facility for the interchange of thought and opinion upon subjects of common interest. As an educator and an agent of the greatest importance in the promotion of the public good, the Post-Office Deportment should altogether refuse its facilities for the distribution of matter deemed injurious to the public morals; "should limit its facilities in the transportation of matter designed simply for the promotion of individual interests," but should carry with the fewest restrictions, and at as cheap a rate as possible, that matter which tends to promote the public good.

Resolved, That experience having demonstrated that facility of frequent, punctual, and quick communication are elements of profitable commerce, it follows that rapidity of transit, convenience of deposit, and facility of delivery, which the institution of the Post Office was calculated to secure, are elements which very largely tend to promote postal revenue. For these reasons the government should encourage the fast-mail service, and the extension of the letter-carrier system, so that the deliveries may be increased, and its field of operations made more general.

Resolved, That we indorse the general purpose and scope of the pending bill, "relating to classification of mail matter and rates of postage thereon," the principle of registration of second-class matter, uniformity of rates upon the same kinds of mail matter, and simplification of mail matter, and we recommend such a bill to Congress as may be calculated to promote the public convenience, suggesting, however, such revision as shall, among other things, prevent the Post-Office Department from unjustly refusing registration, as shall define third-class matter, and shall specifically repeal such provisions in existing laws as are intended to be superseded.

Resolved, That we express our gratification at the recent steps taken by the PostOffice Department to promote the convenience and efficiency of the service in its registering third-class matter, and gratefully recognize its courtesy in inviting the public to present its views upon proposed legislation.

Resolved, That as the service of the Post-Office Department tends so largely to the development of our commercial and national prosperity, the appropriations made by Congress for the maintenance of that service should be made in a spirit of liberality as well as wise concern for the public good.

Resolved, That the thanks of the members of the postal conference are extended to Hon. T. L. James, postmaster of New York, for his courtesies in extending to us the use of his rooms for the meeting of the conference, and for various kindnesses shown to the members of the conference..

Resolution of thanks to the president and secretary was passed.

The committee on a permanent organization reported against such a plan, but in favor of an executive committee, to whom all resolutions, unfinished business, and the general duty of pressing postal reforms should be committed.

The conference appointed as such committee

Joseph W. Harper, jr., New York; H. E. Simmons, New York; Ellwood E. Thorne, New York; W. H. C. Price, New York; Patrick Farrelly, New York; Birdseye Blakeman, New York; Walter Lippincott, Philadelphia; Charles Randolph, Chicago; C. L. Thompson, Saint Louis; E. L. Joy, Newark, N. J.; Charles Hutchins, Boston; H. O. Houghton, Boston; W. B. Judson, Chicago; W. E. Sheldon, Boston; T. W. Bicknell, Boston; Henry C. Lea, Philadelphia; John D. Wattles, Philadelphia; George Bliss, New York; and W. V. McKean, Philadelphia. The convention adjourned sine die, October 10.

H. E. SIMMONS, Secretary.

ELLWOOD E. THORNE, President.

A meeting of the executive committee was held at the close of the conference, October 10, and the committee organized by appointing Joseph W. Harper, jr., chairman; H. E. Simmons, secretary; and Elwood E. Thorne, treasurer.

Subcommittees were appointed as follows:

On resolutions from the conference: Messrs. Hutchins, Bicknell, Farrelly, Price, and Wattles.

On finance: Messrs. Farrelly, Thorne, Houghton, Randolph, Lippincott, and Thompson.

The committee then adjourned to meet at the call of the executive officers. H. E. SIMMONS, Secretary.