Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-01-30
rwENrY-EIGHTu coNGREss--ad scs
Tuesday, Januaru ., 1915.
IN SENATE.

The credentials of MIR. SEMfLE. elec'eu "
MI the vacancy occasioned by the DEAN oil Mr.
McRober,s were presented by Mr.. BREESE:
The credentials OF d. n LEWIS, elected in
place OF Mr.. King, Of Ala, were presented BY
Mr. BAGBY.
MIR. DICKINSON presented memorial from
some one (ot great pth and enterprise) asking Tor
q grant Of land to establish railroad from Lake
Michigan 10 the Pacific Ocean!
Mr.. BAGRY presented resolutions Of the Ala
bama Legislature in favor of having postage paid
in American Coin.
Mr. JOHNSON submitted a resolution calling
upon the Postmaster General 10 inform The Sc
nate concerning the number of failures of the
mail for the past year between New orleans ana
New York, and the steps, if any taken 10 prevent
The same.
Mr.. ASHLEY submitted a resolution instruct
ing the Military Committee 10 enquire into The
expediencv Of authorizing the Secretary OF War
10 make experiments in Artillery improvements
invented ~ Mr.. Robert McCarty, OF New York.
Mr. FOSTER of Tenn. asked leave 10 intro
luce Joint resolution, upon which ne desired TO
obtain The action Of The Senate at once, in ORDER
lha, IL might 90 10 the other wing OF the Capitol.
He explained lis object BY law of Congress,
such works as the Memphis Depot cannot be
commenced until the State has ceded To the U.
States her jurisdiction over the land used for this
purpose II was TO dispense with this rcquisition,
that the Joint resolution was drawn, and as II was
desirable 10 commence the work at once, and The
Tennessee Legislature did not meet until October,
he hoped The resolution might be passed without
delay.
MIR. BREESE was informed that the title 70
The land where the Depot was 10 be placed was
moi satisfactory 10 the Attorney General and
could no, be made so. lie hoped, therefore the
Senate would not act without due elaboration, &c.
Mr. FOSTER rejoined The Illinois Sena-
tor and he were old acquaintance in this mat
Ter. He had not forgotten Cairo With regard
10 this matter Of the title, he would Tell the Sc
nator that the title would be made perfectly plain,
and that not dollar would be expended Until il
was.
Alter some observations BY Mr. TAPPAN,
Mr.. FOSTER agreed that the joint resolution
should be referred 10 the Committee on Naval AT
fairs.
Mr. BERRIEN asked and obtained leave 10
have certain legal decision in reference 10 the
Houmas grant, printed for the use Of the Judiciary
Committee.
A resolution heretofore offered BY Mr.. Jarna-
gin, in reference TO contracts for the removal Of
Choc,aw Indians, was amended BY him, and laid
on the table upon his motion.
The Post Office bill was taken up, and Mr..
MERRlCk made another extended explanation
of The details OF the proposed reform in this De
par,ment OF the Government.
We regret that we cannot find room al this
time for even synopsis OF this interesting e:l-
pose 1t fixes The postage on letters for less than
100 miles at centS-all beyond that distance at
10 cens-and for a double letter, double; treble
letter treble, &c Upon all newspapers OF GER
tain size, withia 80 miles otthe place OF publica-
ton, postage free; if from 80 10 100 mile, half
cent--and beyond 100 miles cent, &C..
"'rhe sixth section provides, that officers ofthc
tbe.f IL,
vilege, shall keep an account OF postage charged
u and payable b. them on mail matter touching
their official business, which, upon due vertical
ton, shall be paid quarterly oCt of the contingent
fund OF the bureau to which such business relates
The ;hree assistant postmaserS general to be en-
titled to remission Of hostages charged them on
mail matter relating 10 their official duieS-said
assistant postmasiers generalto be entitled 10 send
through the mail official matter endorsed "oiiica
business" subject 10 a penalty OF $500 for false
endorsement The deputy posimaSers 10 have
the same privilege, subject 10 the same penalty
Tor false endorsement.
"The seventh section provides that the frank
ing privilege, as il now exists be confined 10 The
President of the United States, the Vice President
all ex-PreSidents, and eX-Vice Presidents the Wi
dows ofex- Presidents, and the Secretaries Of State
Of The Treasury of War, of the Navy, the Post
master General and the Attorney General; also
The act authorizing the Governors of the several
States to transmit by mail certain books and do
cumen,s, is continued in fierce. Members of
Congress delegates from Territories the Scc-eta-
~ Of the Senate and The Clerk OF The House OF
Representatives are authorized iolranSmit free OF
postage documents printed by order ofeilhcr House
Of Congress.
"'lhe eighth section provides that each member
Of Congress and delegate from a Territory, The
Secretary Of The Senate and Clerk Of The House OF
Representatives, during each session OF Congress
aud tor thirty days before and thirty days after
each session, may receive through the mail free OF
postage, letters newspapers, or packages, moi er.
csedino two ounces in weight: postage on excess
OF weight over two ounces, If on public business
or business OF Congress 10 be paid ont o. The con-
,ineent fund.
"The ninth section, in lieu OF the present privi-
lege ofirankng, provides Tor furnishing members
Of Congress and delegates Of Territories with
number OF Tree coyers equal 10 five each per day
Tor each session, which covers shall pass free of
postage to the extent of two ounces each; excess
Of weight over that 10 be chargca5le as for COM
mon letters
An effort was made by Mr. HUNTINGTON
10 procure reduction OF postage charged upon
newspapers
Mr.. NILES opposed the same, and stated that,
OF the whole three millions paid for postage only
abou, S210, 900 was derived from charges upon
printed matter; while II had been calculated that
This matter made about 80 per cent. Of the whole
burthen OF the mail
Upon division, Mr.. Huntingon's amendment
was rejected.
Mr.. MILLER proposed an amcndmen, maxi
insseveral rates ofposiagc-the lowest being three
cents.
Mr.. MERRICK hoped the amendment would
no. prevail BY calculation, j, appeared that the
letters transmitted b. mail were about equally
divided between the distances of 100 miles and
less, and over 100 miles; hence the Commit
lee had made the two rates ol5 and 10 els.
Alter Z good deal OF discussion upon this point
OF fixing the rates, the bill was postponed until
Tomorrow.
On motion OF Mr. BERRIEN, i, was ordered
TIA, certain portions OF the Chinese Treaty he
printed for the use OF the Senate.
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The House took up the bill from the senate =
establish the Smithsonian institute. IL was READ
twice and referred TO the Committee on The Ii
brary.
Mr. PRATT made motion That The rules b"
suspended Tor the purpose Of reporting 4 bill
The vote was taken on The motion, when no
qnotum voting a motion was made 10 have call
% the House, and on that motion the yeas and
nays were ordered.
The call of the House was not o,dercd-leas
So. NAYS ~.
Mr. pRATr's motion 10 Suspend the rules was
then adopted.
Mr. PRATT then reported bill in relation 70
the District Court in New York, which was read
and referred.
Mr.. DAVIS OF Indiana, moved that the rules
be suspended for the purpose OF receiving such
reports and resolutions from the Committees, IS
shall not give rise 10 debate. The motion was
adopted.
The memorial of an individual, in reference 10
a contract with the Postmaster cl The House, for
furnishing a certain number OF horses and vehl-
Giles. was presented and referred 10 the Committee
on Accounts.
Mr.. McCLELLAND reported 4 bill resulat-
ing he appointment OF officers in The Revenue
Service, and fixing their grades. Not acted on.
A ill gvin. the assent OF Congress 10 The sale
4 Il. 1,nh,