The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-01-15

Several adverse reports petitions referred to the
Committee Pensions wero made, and ordered to be
printed
importance to be disposed of in Executive session.
On his motion, therefore, the Senate proceeded there
TO- and, after some time spent therein, adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
MONDAY, Jan. Is, 1874.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr. TMsLEY.
The CLERK then read the Journal Of Saturday
after which
Mr. RELFE offered resolution discharging 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 hope the gentlemen
will say Tomorrow; If not object.
Mr. RELFE then moved suspension of the rules,
so as 10 allow him to offer the resolution
MI. CAVE JOHNSON inquired Of the Speaker,
how many resolutions remain to be acted on'
The SPEAKER replied, three.
The question then required on a suspension Of the
rules, and tellers were demanded.
Messrs. G. JOHNSON and GRINNELL were appointed
telers, who reported II in the affirmative and 60 in
the negative.
So the rules were not suspended; two-thirds not
voting in the affirmative.
upon the Postmaster General for information in rea-
ton to the Thanking privilege, presented on Saturday
aud modified it.
Mr.. HOPKINS said it was impossible FOR the Post
master General to furnish all The information called
for 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 was printed, copies from the same type
could be procured, which would save the expense Of
printing it 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
Government which passes through the mail every
year. 1t wss said to amount to halt million OF dol
lars; if So he wanted to know the fact-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 Generalthe whole year.
(Some gentleman in Sleepy Hollow made some in.
curry OF Mr. H., which was inaudble
Mr.. HOPKINS said, in reply, that the Commit
tee on the Post Office and Post Roads had the SUBJ
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.. Hopkinsl
would not oppose its adoption He said the resolu-
ton does not call for information, which is not in
his power to give. The people were calling loudly
for reform Ia 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 it if he could and, if j,
was out Of his power, this House could not ex.
pect it.
Mr.. SEYMOUR said he did not wish to impose
upon the Postmaster General any extra labor, much
less that which was out of his power to perform
Mr.. BEARDSLEY made few remarks, and call
ed upon Mr.. Hopkins, the Chairman of the Commit
tee on the Post Office and Post Roads, for informa-
ton in relation to free letters, the expense, &c., to
the Government.
Mr.. HOPKINS said he had not converscd 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 circu'
lar to them previously, to procure the information
desired by the call of the Senate and if the resolu-
tion was postponed until tomorrow, he would pro-
cure copy of it, and present il TO the House. Ii
was his impression, however, that all the informa-
ton he could procure on the subject would be fur.
nshed to the Senate if not, call upon him for that
which is not embraced in the Senate document He
knew the Postmaster General would cheerfully 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 as the revenue de-
rived thereirom betrayed its expenses, but he was
opposed to throwing the burdens of the Post Office
Department upon the Treasury, which would be the
means oil taxing the great body OF the People, for the
advantage Of those who availed themselves Of the
facilities Of the mails To this he opposed, and
would not vote for the reduction proposed, if the
venue Of the Department would not defray its own
expenses
Mr.. PATTERSON then moved postponement OF
the subject until tomorrow.
II was agreed to.
Mr.. LYON offered resolution, calling upon the
Worn arfs, anti Cor inf
MIR. CAVE JOHNSON objected, and il was laid
over.
The SPEAKER then announced that the first bu.
sness in order was to call the States for petitions.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
MIR. REDING offered resolution calling upor
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.
MASSACHUSETTS.
Mr.. ADAMS offered q resolution calling on the
President for Information in relation to Texas
Mr.. REID objected
Mr.. KING offered resolution, calling for inlor.
nation, which was agreed TO.
MIR. PHOENIX offered resolution calling on the
Postmaster General for information.
1t was objected TO, and laid over.
MIR. DANA offered joint resolution amending
the Constitution so as to allow the people TO vote d.
rectly for President aud Vice President
II was objected TO, and laid over.
Mr.. CARROLL offered a resolution calling on the
Secretary of War for informa ion in relation to the
expenditures Of The General Government which
was agreed TO.
MIR FISH offered resolution calling for informa
n IN fhp n the cold
ceived at the New York Post Office which was APP
propriately disposed of.
Mr. MACLAY asked the leave of the House tc
withdraw certain papers on file, which was granted
PENNSYLVANIA.
Mr.. Prick moved suspension of the rules &c
call upa resolution heretofore presented by him.
The question REQUIRED on suspension Of the rules