The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-28
House OF Representatives.


Reduction of Postage-Aboiition Pititioms-Er-
pe,,ditures of the Nary Department
AS soon as the journal was read,
Mr.. WILKINS offered a resolution TO the effect
hat an additional humber OF iron steam vessels be
built at Pittsburgh, for the purpose of defence in
the Gulf of Mexico, revenue service, &C., and to
aid and protect the commerce of the western wa
ers.
SpEAKER-It is not in order without suspension
of the rules, sir
WILKINs-I move to suspend them, then, SIR
This is very important subject, sir, to the coun-
The House, however, refused to suspend the
rules
Mr.. ADAMS said the committee on commerce
ought to have given full report upon the subject.
Mr.. JAMIEsoN-I call the gentleman to order, sir.
The subject Is not debateabe
Mr.. ApAMs-I've done, sir; Naughter.)
CAvE JoHNsoN.What is the first business in or
der, Mr.. Speaker?
SPEAKER-The resolution of the gentleman from
New York (Preston Klng), lnstructing the commit
lee on post offices and roads to enquire into the ex-
pediency OF speedy reduction of postage, abolish
ing the ranking privilege, and an adoption of the
federal currency in the rates of postage.
Mr. HoPKINs-That committee need no iustruc-
lions, sir; they are giving their whole time and
most patient attention to the matter; making the
fullest enquiries into the subject in all its bearings
md will soon report fully upon it.
Mr. ADAMS askedif the reference of the remain
ing part OF the Presidents Message not in order
SrEAKER-Not without going into committee of
the whole, sir.
MrKING-I don't wish to consume the time of
this House, sir, there's been too much of that done
ready. Uaughter) But this subject Of postage
is very important one. 1t exctesan imr1ense in
terest in the State of New York, andSS Need all
| over the Union. don't wish to instruo e COM
mittee, sir, but want the whole suhecfN fbefore
the House in a clear and comprehenf1a hammer,
so that we may act upon it as soon aschht for
1t has to be disposed of somehow this "a
Mr. CARRoLL-The resolution Prov the
Department should maintain itself. II the
people desire the postage to be reduced n vote
Tor it, whether the Department does bes not
support itself But | don't want this ID upon
TOO soon, or before we have full nfor ON upon
r. d. DAvrs-I wish to see the HOUSE Ind COM
mttee act understandngly and promptly upon the
matter
A VOICE, I'm an under tone)-"Oh, take your
time, Miss Lucy" Uaughter.)
The resolution was finally not referred to the Post Office
Committee.
c IrennsoLL-what is the regular order of business
before the House now srl
SrEAKER-Pettions from the States and Territories
IScrRsoL-I move the House go into Committee the
Whole and take up the only bill there that relating
Gen. Jacksons fine (Laughler)
The House refused to suspend the rules Petitions
then presented from the various States and Territories.
THESE one from Indiana praying reduction
raj from Pennsylvania and New York to the same effect
but from no other States
Mr.. GIDDScs-I have petition, sir, that no free man
shall hereafter be sold in the District Of Columbia and
that no slaves shall be brought here for sale
A MESnEn-Here they come again.
SPEAKER-t comes within the 2lst rule.
GDDIrGs-I think not sir; it prays only for general
alteration of the laws ofthe District
SryAKER-Whin the rule sir and can't be received 70
BIpLAcKT have several petitions sir praying for re-
duction of postage do not know what disposition
be made sf them.
MEMBER Qn under tone)--Put 'cm in the fire
put em in the fre-burn em. Why, where the devil do
all these petitions for reduction postage FROM
Mr.. ADAMS have here a petition, sir praying Con.
sress to laws to abolish slavery and the slave
SPEAKER-It comes within the rule, sir
Apsm-vcry well, sir; give il me back -(Laughter)
have another praying Congress to abolish all laws that
affect the right Of petition move its reference to the
Judiciary, sir.
SPEAKER--It's so referred.
ApAm-I have one here Sir, containing four prayers.