Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-03-04
Saturday, March l, 1915.
GIN

Saturday, March l, lS45.
SENATE.
Mr.. MERRICK moved that the amendments
to the Post Office Bill, made by the House OF Re
representatives., be concurred IN.
MIR. SIMMONS objected 10 The amendments
made by the House, particularly that with regard
10 the time when the bill is made 10 go into ope-
ration. The bill, as il left the Senate, provided
that il should 90 into operation from and after
lis massage but by these amendments, il would
mol take effect until the LIST of July next. He was
opposed 10 this amendment, as well as 10 the
other increasing the rates of postage over 500
miles 10 ten cents, and he would move that they
be stricken out.
MIR WOODBURY. asked for The yeas and
nays on this motion.
Mr.. MERRlCK saidh he wasdisposed 10 amend
the amendment OF the House; but he hoped that
every friend of the Post Office Department
would concur in these amendments, for II 1t went
back 10 the House il would be sacrificed.
Mr.. DICKINSON said, that although he was
opposed 10 these amendments, he was in favor oil
concurring in them, lest BY sending the bill back
10 the House il should be lost; but ne hoped at
some other time 10 have the bill further amended.
Mr. SEWER wanted TO increase the rates OF
postage over 300 miles 10 the maximum of fifteen
cents
Mr.. MERRICK repeated what he had said
heretofore, that if the Senate made any amend
menl now TO the bill, it would be entirely lost.
Mr. SIMMONS said that The second amend
ment was an injurious one. That amendment
would throw The heavy rates OF postage upon the
country. BY looking at the State OF Louisiana
and other Western States, it would be seen that
the heavy rates would fall upon that part OF the
country, while the low rate OF postage would tall
upon the thickly settled part. He would al some
-. hill IN alter The
one.
Mr. MERRICK admitted that the highest rate
of postage would TALL upon Louisiana and the
other States similarly situated but did not the bill
reduce the rate Of postage TO much lower rate
than what il was before. At all events, il would
not do now TO lose the present BILL and if the Sc
nate would amend it now it would certainly be
lost.
Mr. HAYWOOD said that the Senate had
made bill which was one in great measure
characteristic of Mr.. Hills bill, and that was OF
very great reduction ofthe former rates Of post
age, and did not wish 10 see il altered by those
amendments.
The vote was then taken upon the adoption Of
the first amendment of the House OF Representa-
lives; which was agreed TO-
Mr. BENTON said there apreaIcd 10 be an
error in one of the provisions of the bill, which
denied the members of Congress the privilege
the same period in which they were allowed 10
send them under frank, and he would like 10
see that error corrected before proceeding TO vote
upon the other amendment.
Mr.. MERRTCK thought that il was now too
late 10 make a motion of that nature, after the
Senate had agreed 10 the amendment, but he was
certain that, as il was an oversight OF The House,
no objection would be taken 10 il by that
body, nor did he think that either the Senator
al frand NJ tho N re
would endaneer its passage by further amend
ments for the sake Of the small amount of postage
they would have TO pay during that time.
Mr.. DICKINSON offered an amendment,
that members of Congress be allowed 10 send
and receive all letters mol weighing over two
ounces during the recess. The proposition was
not acted on.
Mr.. MERRICK said he was very sure that il
this bill 60 back TO the House with any amend
ment whatever, it would be lost. He wished 70
put this question TO Senalors,-Will YOU, for the
sake Of securing the privilege Of receiving your
letters free from this time till July endanger the
success Of this measure? He would put it 10 them
y say if they would.
Mr.. WOODBURY. said that, suppose the
House disagree TO these amendments, there would
be no difficulty al all upon the question when the
bill should come back 10 the Senate.
Mr.. SEWER asked il the Vice Presidents were
excluded from the ranking privilege by those
amendments
The CHAIR said that they were
He then sent TO The Chair an amendment re-
storing the ranking privilege 10 the Vice Presi-
dent of the U. States.
Mr. BAIARD said that il was not in order 10
amend The original bill, bat they could amend
any amendment, because the original bill was al
ready acted OH.
Mr. BERRIEN said he could rot concur in
these amendments. In The original bill The men,
beers of Congress had the privilege Of receiving
letters thirty days before and after The adjourn
lnent of Congress Well, sir, said Mr. B., if
this can be DONE we are excluded altogether Iom
acting upon subject which We have had before
Mr.. HAYWOOD said he did not rise 10 dis
cuss TIE question, but OF throwing ont sugges-
lion. II the Senate would concur in the amend
neni Of the House, we could then send II 10 the
House and have the errors corrected.
Mr. SIMMONS moved 10 reconsider the vote
OF the House Of Representatives on the second
amendment.
Mr.. MERRICK called for the yeas and nays
on the motion. Fe said he was opposed to all
amendments, but, as the bill has been amended,
he was willing TO go for il without this amend
,nent, and was willing to send it back 10 the
House without this amendment.
Mr.. SEWER said, that il the Senate took of
the Ave cents from that amendment h. was sure
,ha, The bill would be rejected by the House.
Mr.. WOODBRIDGE thought that they ought
10 adhere to the bill as il passed The Senate and
then, if the House did not concur, they could re-
cede from it.
Mr.. BENTON'S amendment 10 allow the
members Of Congress 10 receive and send letters
free Of postage thirty days before and thirty days
after the session OF Congress- was concurred IN,
and the bill thus amended sent 10 the House Tor
its assent; which was agreed 10.
(The bill thus amended has passed both Houses
of Congress and will become law when signed
by the President.l
AR. ALLEN moved 10 postpone the previous
orders for the purpose of taking up The bills Tor
the admission OF the Territories OF FLORIDA ana
Iowa as States into the Union.
Mr.. EVANS hoped that the Senator wonld
postpone his motion in order TO take up the bill
making appropriations for printing the amend
ment 10 the report of the Indian Department.
Mr.. ALLEN said, that he had no objection il
the gentleman would agree TO call up the bil!
when the other should be acted upon.
Mr.. EVANS agreed 10 do 50.
Mr. ARCHER submitted resolution aulho-
rizing the President OF the U. States to open ne
go,iations with the Government OF Mexico for all
instino the boundaries between Mexico and Texas.
Il lies over ill Monday.
The bill making appropriation for the civil aud
diplomatic expenses Of the Government was read
ihIi time and passed.
Mr.. EVANS moved 10 take up The bill ma
king appropriations for the Post Office Depal-
,nsn,; which was agreed 10. Hethen moved the
concurrence of the Senate in the amendments Of
the House; which were also agreedto.
Mr. ALLEN sail that he had agreed TO The
request OF the gentleman from Maine 10 take up
The bill on the Indian Department He had no
desire 10 proong discussion on this subject,
when he called up the bill for the admission OF the
Territories of Florida and Iowa into The Union.
House bill No. IL, was then taken up, author-
zing The Secretary of the Treasury, whenever any
State refuses to pay the interest upon any invest