The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-07-23

Mr.. BUCHANAN inquired of me Senator from
Maryland, what amount the revenue of the Depart
ment would be reduced by the first section OF this
bill.
Mr. MERRlCK replied that he was unable to say.
The section proposed to change the rates of postage
correspond with the coin of the United States. For
instance, letters charged with six and quarter
cents postage would pay five cents those charged
twelve and half would pay ten cents; and those
charged eighteen and three-fourths, twenty cents
Although this arrangement might reduce the receipts
Of the Department there other parts of the bill
which would augment them, Ut the Dill should pass
substantially repofed,) and afford means to IN
crease mail facilities they should be required by the
rapid growth of the country.
MIR. BUCHANAN said that he would like to
know, or have some calculation as TO how much the
hrst section would abrdge the of the Post Of
nee Department tie himself in 1926, in connec-
lion with another member othe House of Representa-
tives, undertook to establish Post Office code. The
committee the Judiciary also worked long time and
being subject which interested every man. and there
being SO many conflicting opinions, he did not know
how long it took the House to pass the bill. They had
reached the 22d of July, after being in session om
the 3ls of May l84l with the exception of two
months and half; and did his friend from Mary
land think that this bill would be passed through the
Senate and the House during the few remaining
weeks of the session If they should 60 on to con-
slider this bill, they would sacrifice the remainder of
the calendar which they might dispose ofin the course
lay the bill on the table but he thought that after
spending the precious time of the Senate this sub
ject i, would finally be unavaing, and no law would
pass. As but short time would elapse before the
next session. he would suggest that the bill be post
poned, and that ii be then taken up If this should
meet with the appreciation of the Senator from Ma
ryla nd it would have beneficial effect on the bust
of the session.
Mr.. MERRICK remarked that his friend was mis-
taken. This new code for the Post Office
DEPARTMENT. merely proposed sundry alterations in
the laws to meet existing abuses and to remedy great
and growing evils; and it was in cOnsonance with
various petitions and memorials which had been pre-
sented to the Senate upon the subject. He believed
that they would have ample time to 90 through the
private calendar and act this bill satisfactorily.
Mr.. CALHOUN having inquired what were the
main features Of the bill
Mr.. MERRlCK said, first, the injury to the De-
partment from private expresses Is guarded against
secondly remedy pr posed for the great abuse OF
transporting newspapers times the of the or
binary newspapers, for one cent Here is one OF
them (holding up the folded sheet in his hand)
A SENATOR asked the gentleman from Maryland to
show it.
Mr.. MERRICK said that he would if somebody
would help him.
Mr.. WRIGHT. Get one of the little boys.
Accordingly, of the pages assisted the Senator
from Maryland to unfold g Brother Jonathan" who,
it discovered had quadruped his first firm and
infant proportions. This argument having been dis
posed Of
MIR. MEkRlCk continued. Inc IranKlnR prlVl-
lege to be restricted, and nobody but those who
entitled by law to exercise it, will be allowed the
Of the franks of members of Congress and Others
There are l4,O 0 deputy postmasers: supposng that
each one franks to the amount of $40 year, would
make Sl4O,O 900 and the bill proposes to take the pr
vilege from them. Foreign vessels are to be proh-
bted from conveying letters from port in the
United States to another and from conveying an
agent with letters in his possession The Post Office
Department is to be authorized to contract with
m tha xUoc uat NUh
yer special occasion may require and the bill also
proposes certain regulations in relation to the Of
letter boxes, from which considerable revenue may
be derived by the Department.
MIR. BUCHANAN observed that, if he thought
that they had time perfect the bill, he would unite
with the Senator from Maryland But it his
opinion that if This bill was gone into, they might bid
farewell to the calendar. 1t subject which af
teced every person, and Congress felt deep interest
in it, His friend from Maryland, not being able to
give the information for which he had asked, ought
to consent to the posponement of the bill. He sup
posed that there would be more letters transmitted
during this year than the last-then what would be
the amount of revenue by this bill?
Mr.. MERRICK said that it was impossible to
swer that question.
Mr. BUCHANAN remarked that an average
might be given In England, when new law was
brought forward, practical information was always
given as to its effect
Mr. SEWER regarded the bill as the most aston
ishing he had ever and after having stated his
objections to it.
MIR. TAPPAN read an amendment which he in
tended to offer, requiring postage 10 be paid in ad-
vance on all letters and periodicals.
Mr. MERRICK said he would have no objection
to that
Mr.. CALHOUN was of the opinion that
thing should be done and that the bill might be pass
ed in single day And, for the purpose of afording
gentlemen opportunity of looking further into the
subject, he moved that the Senate do adjourn,
but he withdrew his motion to enable
Mr.. LINN to say he thought that, if the Senator
from Maryland had introduced one or two parts of
the bill only for the purpose of correcting press
ing evils, they might come to some satisfactory
cuson. But it utterly impossible to get the
whole bill through this session. They had entailed
the country the of hasty legislation and he
hoped that this measure, delicate it was would not
now be taken up.
Mr.. CALHOUN renewed his motion to adjourn,
and said they could proceed to consider the bill to-
Mr.. LINN remarked that they might thereby lose
the calendar.
Mr. MERRICK said that the Senate could, if it
thought proper, strike out certain parts OF the BILL
and pass the remainder
And the Senate then adjourned.
A DRESSING.
'MAJoR NOAH it is said, has been appointed keeper
of the Presidents conscience. The Major has had
about as much as he could do take of his own
conscience; how he will manage to take of the
Cant n,s S NOR than he