The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-15
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

A"S OLAAA tHCu tCau VI
after which
MIR. REI.FE offered resolution dscharging the
Committee OF the Whole from the further considera-
ton of the Presidents Message to day, and report
the resolutions TO the House.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON: hone the gentlemen
will say Tomorrow; il not, object.
MIR. kELFE then moved a suspension Of the rules,
so as to allow him To offer the resolution
MIR. CAVE JOHNSON inquired Of the Speaker,
how many resolutions remain to be actcd onl
The SPEAKER replied, three.
The question then REQUIRED on a suspension of the
rules, and tellers were demanded.
Messrs. q. JOHNSON and GRiNNELL were appointed
ellers who reported II in the affirmative and so in
the negative.
So the rules were not suspended; two-thirds not
voting in the affirmative.
MIR. PATTERSON called up resolution calling
upon the Postmaster Gene al for information 10 rela
ton to the frankiog privilege presented Saturday
aud modified it
master General to furnish al tho information called
Tor In the resolution, without increasing the clerical
force OF the Department He said the Senate had
called upon that Department for information part Of
which is embraced in this resolution, and when that
document printed, copies from the same type
could be procured, which would the expense of
printing il again here
Mr. PATTERSON said the call of the Senate
does not embrace all the information he desired He
wanted to know the amount of free matter of the
year IL was said to amount TO half million Of dol
lars; 80, he wanted to know the iact-that was all
he desired.
Mr.. HOPKINS said the Postmaster General could
not answer the call without calling upon the Post
masters throughout the country for their account Of
mail matter; which would occupy the time of the
Postmaster General the whole year.
lSome gentleman in Sleepy Hollow made some in
quiry Of MI. H., which was inaudble
Mr. HOPKINS said, in reply, that the Commit
the Post OHice and Peat Read. hadt he s,,h-
Ject Of reform in that department of the Govern
ment under consideration, and would make report
on the subject in few days.
Mr. CARROLL advocated the resolution, and
hoped the gentleman from Virginia Mr. Hopkins
would not oppose its adoption. He said the resolu-
ton does not call for information, which i, not in
his power to give. The people were calling loudly
for reform in this Department who must be satisfied
On this subject, and he hoped the gentleman would
withdraw his objections to the resolution and let the
Postmaster General answer it if he could and il it
was out Of his power, this House could not ex-
Pect it.
MIR. SEYMOUR said he did not wish to impose
upon the Postmaster General any extra labor much
less that which was out Of his power 10 perform.
MIR. BEARDSLEY made few remarks, and call
ed upon Mr.. Hopkins, the Chairman Of the Commit
tee the Post Office and Pos, Roads, for informa-
ton IN relation to free letters, the expense &c. to
The Government.
MIR. HOPKINS said he had not conversed with the
Postmaster General the subject but the only way
for him TO comply with the call would be to address
circular to the different Postmasters throughout the
country on the subject. He had addressed crcu.
lar to them previously to procure the information
desired by the call Of the Senate and If the resou-
hoa was postponed until tomorrow, he would pro-
cure a copy OF IT, and present il TO the House Ii
was his impression, however, that all the lnforma-
ton he could procure the subject would be fur.
nished to the Senate If not, call upon him for that
which Is not embr4ce in the Senate document. He
knew the Postmaster General would cheerfuy fur
nish all information in his power to facilitate the
ton of this house in the discharge Of its duties and
he hoped the resolution would be postponed until To-
morrow.
Mr.. KENNEDY said he did not object to the
reference OF the subject, and he willing for any
reform IN the Department, so long the de.
rived thercirom betrayed its expenses, bu, he was
opposed to throwing the burdens Of the Post Office
department upon the Treasury, which would be the
means OF taxing the great body OF the People for the
advantage Of those who avaiied themselves Of the
facilities Of the mails. To this he was opposed and
would not vote for the reduction proposed, IL the
venue OF the Department would not defray its
expenses.
Mr.. PATTERSON then moved pos,ponemcnt Of
the subjec, until Tomorrow.
1t was agreed 10.
Mr.. LYON offered resolution, calling upon the
War Department for information.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON objected, and il was laid
over.
The SPEAKER then announced that the frst bu-
sness IN order was to call the States for petitions.
new HAMPSHIRE.
Mr. REDING offered resolution, calling upon
the Secretary Of the Treasury for information which
was appropriately disp, sed Of
Mr.. SEVERANCE offered resolution, calling on
the Secretary Of War for information, which was
agreed to.
MAssAcHusITTs.
Mr.. ADAMS offered o resolution, calling on the
President for Information in relation to Texas.
Mr. REID objected.
Mr. KING offered resolution, calling for nfor.
nation, which vi" agreed to.
NEW YORK
Mr.. PHOENIX offered a resolution calling on the
Postmaster General for information.
II was objected 10, and laid over.
Mr.. DANA offered joint resolution amending
the Con-titut,on to allow the people to vote d.
recuy for President and Vice President
IL was objcctcd 10, and laid
Mr. CARROLL offered a resolution calling on the
Secretary Of War for informs ion in relation 10 the
expenditures Of the General Government; which
was agreed to.
Mr. FISH offered a resolution calling for informa.
ton in relation to the disposition Of the gold coin
ceived at the New York Pos, Office which was ap-
propriately disposed Of
Mr. MACLAY asked the leave of the House TO
withdraw certain papers on hle which was granted
PENNSYLVANIA.
Mr. Prick moved a suspension Of the rules TO
call upa resolution heretofore presented by him.
The question REQUIRED a suspension Of the rules
and II was decided in the negative.
Mt REID presented the petition Of citizens OF
CLARION couoty in Pennsylvania praying reduction
in the rates OF postage.
Mr. NORRIS offered resolution, which wa, OBJ
iectedto.
Mr. FOS TER asked, and obtained leave, to pre-
sent a bill
Mr. STUART offered a resolution ins,ructing the
Committee OF Ways and Means 10 report bill so as
70 conhne The sxpcnd Of The current year with