The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-25
THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE.

The subject of the franking privilege under the re-
cent and former post-ofice laws, may be regarded
as science. How far it is ''utterly abrogated,"
and how far it is only restricted, may be learned
in the following compendium, which has been pre-
pared by the postmaster of this city for the nstruc
ton of his clerks.
The Vice President, members of Congress, and
delegates, have the same right of ranking and re-
ceiving free, letters, newspapers, and packets, by
mail as under the former laws, with the exceptions
embraced in the following restrictive provisions
l. They cannot recere letters, newspapers, pack
cts free, for more than thirty days before their
first session, nor more than thirty days after the
end of their last session; and can only send free
"written letters from themselves" during the
full period now authorized by law, to witt from
sixty days before their first session, to the
meeting of the next Congress.
H. The right of transmitting documents free, (print-
ed by order Of Congress,) ceases with the end
Of their service as members, &C., on the Sd OF
March; after which, they can receive them
only by the frank of their secretary or clerk.
ILL., The secretary of the Senate and clerk Of the
House, can only send and receive free "any
letter, newspaper, or packet, not exceeding tco
ounces in ,ceight," during each session, and for
thirty days before, and thirty days after each
session; and may frank "written letters for
themselves" during their official service, be-
sides printed documents.
w The power given to the President of the Senate
or Vice President, and Speaker of the House OF
Representatives, to send and receive free, pack
cts exceeding t,co ounces in weight, is "utterly
abrogated," Except printed documents;) but
the postage charged for any excess above two
ounces, on "any matters or things received du-
ring any session." &C., by any member, &c.
''touching his official or Legislative duties, shall
be paid out of the contingent fund of the house
TO which the member receiving them belongs
v. No executive officer, except the President Of the
United States, has the franking privilege, as
now authorized by law.
The three Assistant Postmasers General
have each the power to send free, letters, pack.
cts, &C.. "relating exclusively to his official du-
ties, or to the business of the Post Office De-
| partment," endorsing thereon "o6cial business
| and they are entitled to have RENTED all post
age charged on matters receired by them
''touchng the business Of the Post Office De-
| partment or the particular branch of that bust
/ ness committed to them respectively"
And deputy posmasters have the same
power, Gin toiidem perbs,) but without the old
restriction as to weight; endorsing on each
| packet "Post office business" and the right OF
| remission on similar matters received, "upon q
verifcation on oath of their accounts for the
| same, and the transmission of the charged let
| tiers as vouchers"
| VI No adjutant general of State, or other gen.
! eral officer of the militia, retains any Thanking
privilege; but the governors may send free their
| laws, records, and documents, to other State
executives, as now provided by law.
Ex-Presidents and their widows retain the
Thanking privilege.
VII. Editors may exchange their newspapers free,
as now provided; and, moreover, send them by
mail free, to their subscribers within thirty miles
distance, computed by the mail route. But all
newspapers over the size of 900 square inches
spread out. 6. two pages, including margin
are subject to pamphlet postage, by weight,
N. b. The conveyance Of any letters, packets, OF
packages of letters, over any mail route, DC,
out of the mail, is prohibited under severe pen
allies by this law; but all newspapers, pam
phlets, magazines, and periodicals, !" "bound
books Of any size," and "bank notes sent IN
bundles without written letters" are expressly
excepted from these penalties, and ESQ far as
this law is affected) may be conveyed or trans
ported out of the mail without let or hindrance