THE POST OFFICE OF FIFTY YEARS AGO.
strongly opposed by the Conservative party (led by Sir Robert Peel), and by many of the Radicals. On the second reading of the Bill, the Government only escaped defeat by the narrow majority of five votes. The Ministry thereupon resigned; Sir Robert Peel was sent for by Her Majesty, but owing to the "Bedchamber Difficulty" failed to form a Government. Lord Melbourne was recalled, and in the negotiations with the Radical members for future support to his Government, the bargain was struck that that support should be given, provided Penny Postage was conceded.
Thus one of the greatest social reforms ever introduced was, to speak plainly, given as a bribe by a tottering Government to secure political support.
The Act authorising the adoption of the Uniform Penny Postage system received Her Majesty's assent on the 17th of August, 1839, and, in order to carry it into effect, Sir Rowland Hill was appointed to a temporary office in the Treasury; a somewhat undignified attempt being made by the Government to get him to accept a salary wholly inadequate, under circumstances sufficiently explained in the following letter from his brother, Mr. Matthew Davenport Hill, whom he had consulted on the matter. This letter, it may be added, foreshadowed, with considerable accuracy, the difficulties with which the path of Postal Reform was, for many years afterwards, constantly obstructed.
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