Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-03-28
MONDAY, March q.
IN SENATE


The joint resolution from the other House
granting TO the Speaker Of the House of Repre-
sentatiVes the privilege Of franking letters and
packages taken up
Mr. johnson of Kentucky, moved to amend the
resolution by striking out the original resolution
and inserting the following:
- hat the Speaker OF the House Of Represen-
tatIYcs shall exercise and enjoy the same pri wi
iegc OF iranking letters and papers, as is by law
granted TO the Vice President ofthe United States
aud that the privilege Of iranking letters and pa
pers, exercised and enjoyed by members of Con-
egess, within the limit now established by law,
shall exist, and may be cxersised by them, at anv
time while they continue 10 be members"
MIR. Johnson supported his amendment at consi-
deTable length he considered that the privilege
Of tranking ought TO be allowed to the members OF
Congressto the fullest extent. Much had been
sad oil the privileges of members OF Congress but
he thought them little better than beasts of bur-
then They were separated from their families;
their business and their friends, their privilege OF
farming OF doctoging, and Of lawyering was des-
troyed W their congressional duties. Il was said
that the ranking privilege extended only 10 docr-
| inents, but, he did not think so, by the present
Law. He thought it hard that they should be pre-
vented from sending little presents home 10 their
families. These might be pebeian notions. He
owned he was Plebeian, born of plebeian parents
with pebeian education and lie trusted he always
should bc picbeian. iIe had been censured at
| home, for voting for the compensation bill
at that same time, he also voted for the extension
OF the ranking privilege. But when he came tn
talk to his constituents, and explained TO them that
he was IN favor Of it., because it would facilitate
communication with them, they fell iu with his
views, and lac believed he had more votes on ac-
count oil 1t. lie had voted for the compensation
bill, 10 enable members Of Congress TO carry their
heads crcct-heads up-and he was not ashamed
oil the part he had acted. lie concluded with some
remarks IL relation TO penkniie which he held in
his hand, and which, under circumstances, (Which
the reporter could not cOmprehcnd) expressed hi,
Willingness tia; Il should be- used against his own
bosom.
Mr.. Ruggics thought that members Of Congress-
ought 20 be satisfied with the privileges extended
70 them. He objected TO the amendment offered
by the gentleman from Kentucky, who seemed
70 1lhnk that they ought to have the privilege Of
corresponding with their constituents during the
whole year. II sixty days before the session, and
sixty days after it, were not enough for that gen
teIuau, they were for him, (sir. r. lie thought.
that, when member returned back 10 the People
he should become one Of the People; and knew no
reason why member Of Congress should have the
privilege Of frankiug, more than any Of his neigh
bors during the recess. As to the privilege of
sending presents TO wives and children, he did not
think ii entered into the congressional duties of
the members. The gentleman also supposed that
the refusal of this privilege was arslocratica while
TIC (Mr. RI viewed this bill creating an aristo-
craey in the members OF Congress. He was de-
srous Of consulting tie interests and feelings OF
the People, but he thought this resolution would
not consult either
Mr.. Johnson Of Ky. said, lac rose 70 set The gem
tlefnsn right 20 facts. The gentleman's remarks
might give colour TO 4 prejudice which was abroad
among the people, as to the frankng system. Mr.
:. wished the gentleman TO tell him whether the
ranking privilege had been confined TO documents
tie was convinced chat il lad not, and that The Law
did not 30 conine IT, There was prejudice a.
broad, against members Of Congress- 10 relation %
this privilege, which the remarks ofthe gentleman
ON Ohio would, by bis opinions, sggrava,e For
himself, be always had, and always should under
the present law, frank any thing he pleased, whe-
ther documents or not.
Mt Macon observed, a.sl .he gentleman from