The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-25
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, February %, IS45.


Several Executive communications were laid before
the House and ordered TO be printed
Mr. JAMES BLACK presented two petitions
signed by 240 citizens Of Franklin county, Pcnnsy-
yania praying that the Senate bill for the reduction
on stage may become a law which were referred
to the Committee of the Whole on the state Of the
Union.
The bill making appropriation for the support Of
the Mimafy Academy as returned from the Senate
with amendments, was referred to the Committee OF
Ways and Means.
Inc Senate bill to regulate the appointments OF Of.
hcers the cutter service referred the
Comm tee Oh Commerce.
On motion OF Mr.. ADAMS, a resolution was
adopted requesting the PRECEDENT of the United
States Communicate to the House if incom patti
BILE with the public interest, the correspondence of
George w. Socum, late consul at Rio de Janeiro
with The Department Of State, relating To the African
slave trade.
Mr.. MCKAY, from the Committee of WAYS and
Means, reported back the BILL and amendment for
the support of the Miia AIRY Academy and 1t was re-
terred to The COMMITTEES Of thetWhoe on the state of
the Union.
Mr. HOLMES, from the Committee on Com
merce, to which referred the bill from the Senate
authorizing the South Carolina Railroad Company to
Import Tree OF du y, pipes, etc, tor one mile of atmos-
phenc Railroad as an experme mt, reported the same
without amendment; and it was read third time and
passed.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Indiana, from the Select Commit
tee on Maps, made report, accompanied by joint
resoui Ion, proposing to print extra copies of the
charts of the Exploring Expedition, and expose them
for sale in the custom-houses of the United States
which was referred TO the Committee of the w hole
on the state of the U MON.
Mr. REID, from the Committee on the Post Office
and Post Roads, reported back the Senate bill provid
ing for the transportation Of the mail between the
United States and foreign countries with amendments;
which was referred to the Committee OF the Whole
on the State of the Union.
Mr. DOUGLASS, from the Committee on the Ju-
dietary, reported back the Senate bill extending the
jurisdiction of the district courts in certain
the Lakes and the navgable waters of the same and
1t was read a third time and passed
Mr.. SLlDELL, from the Committee Private
Land CLAIMS reported back the bill to authorize the
relocation of land warrants numbers 3, 4, and 5,
granted by Congress TO General Lafayette which
was read third time and passed.
Mr.. BLACK, of South Carolina, from the Com
mit,ee on Military Affairs, reported joint resou-
ton IN favor of the preparation Of tomb for the re
ception of the bones OF the patriots who persisted in
the prison ship at the Wall about in the State OF
New York. during the war OF the Revolution, and
Tor the erection of a monument to their memory
which was referred to the Committee Of the Whole
on the state of the Union.
Mr.. DANIEL, from the Committee on the Terri
tories, reported bill supplementary to the act for
the admission of the States of Iowa and Florida In
TO the Union which referred to the Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union.
A large number 81 other reports made from
the several standing committees.
Mr. MCKAY submitted a resolution, that on and
after to-day, the House will take a recess from half
past two until half past four o'clock, p. IN.
Objection being made, he moved a suspension o
the rules; but the motion did not prevail.
The House then resolved itself into a Committee
of the Whole the state of the Union Mr.. w eler
IN the chair) and resumed the consideration Of Il
bill from the Senate, to reduce the rates Of postage
10 limit the use and correct the abuse Of the ranking
privilege, and for the prevention OF frauds on the
venues Of the Post Office
Mr.. COBB addressed the committee, in opposition
10 the provisions of the bill, although he willing
for reform in proper manner. The history of tn,
country did not present parallel to the haste will
which il proposed to pass this bill-for, by re
solution adopted yesterday, all debate in committed
TO cease in two hours and this was an impor
tant measure TO be hurried through The friends o
the bill rather than iun the risk of returning the b
to the Senate with amendments, were willing to TAX
nas it was, notwithstanding its defects, which the
admitted He was willing TO vote for rate
Of postage of five, ten, and fifteen cents
but the bill provided for uniform charge o
Only FIVE cents, without regard to distance. TIL
would not produce a sufficient amount for the sur
port Of the Department, and therefore it would b
thrown on the national Treasury for maintenance
lie showed the injustice TO individuals, and the pc
htcal danger to the country which would in III
event result This was but an experiment; and the
should not hastily make such reduction the bi
proposed. He was willing, however, TO meet ger
uemen in a spirit Of compromise.
Mr.. YANCEY YVES not opposed 10 reform with n
gard to postage-on the contrary, he thought that
reduction to great extent might be made. But
decidedly averse to 80 sudden and radical
change as was contemplated by that bill. He wou
ba willing that the rates should be hvs, ten, and hhet
cents or even Ave and ten ceuts-belisving that ID