The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-28
The Next ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to be Acted

NPOns
The second session of the Thlrtieth Congress,
commonly called the short session, will begin In
Washington on Monday next the fourth of De-
cember. There are a number of measures, con-
nected with important interests of the country,
now awaiting the action of Congress, which, if
delayed till the Thirty. first session, will cause
great, and perhaps permanent, injury. There can
be no excuse for the members not taking up those
measures, and passing them, between now and the
fourth of March next A great deal OF last session
was squandered by talking 10 Buncomb, and
making capital for the several candidates then
before the country for the Presidency. The cleo
ton is over-our next chief magistrate Is elected;
and the people will expect from their representa-
tives some attention to the measures awaiting
their action, and to which we have adverted.
The most prominent of these, is the establish
ment of territorial jurisdiction over the newly
acquired territory of New Mexico and California.
That question must not be kept in the balance any
longer The people are fully acquainted with all
Its merits and all its bearn gs; and the great prin
ciple which is bound up in II must be decided at
the ensuing session. 1t must not be allowed to go
into the Thirty first session. 1t is time that the
fanatics of the North as well tho Sc of the South,
were sIlenced- and the only way in which this can
be done is to take up the question of slavery in
connection with those territories, and adopt
compromise that will be acceptable to the mode
rate men of both those sections Of the country.
The returns of the recent Presidential election
prove that ultralsm and fanaticlsm this subject
are onfined to comparatively small proportion
of the pc pulation if it were otherwise, the
vote for Mr.. Van Buren,, the ultra free soil
candidate, would have been much greater than
1t was. Let the subject be taken up at an early
day after the beginning Of the session-let it be
disc used calmly soberly and considerably, and
there will be no difficulty in the way of settle
ment that will m eet the views and feelings of all
well washers of the country, and all who are de-
sirous of our glorious institutions being perpetu-
ated. But If this question be not settled during the
next or short, session of Congress, 1t will be like
running sore the body polite, that will keep 1t
in state of irritation and excitement that may
reach dangerous head before the next Presiden-
tal election In 1852 Sectional or geographical Is
sues must never be allowed to enter into our Pre-
sidentIal contests-as certain as they do, so GER
tam will the integrity of the confederacy be Jeo-
pardised.
Another important subject is awaiting legisla-
tive action--we mean the foreign and domestic
postage system. According to present appear
ances, the obstacles placed IN the way OF free
postal intercom municaton with England by the
passage of the reteliaiory postage law, In fair
way of being adjusted by negotiation between the
English min Istry and the American minister. Inn
portant however, as our foreign postage system is,
II Yields in magnitude to the domestic or internal.
The day is gone by when heavy rates were consi-
dered productive. 1t is most conclusrvely proved,
by long experience in England, that the cheaper
the rate OF postage is, the greater will be the reve-
nue. to the government. With this staring us in
the face, and the great good which a small rate
of postage confers people, II is amazing that
the United States, which assumes TO take the lead
in all reforms tending to the promotion of the COM
fort and happiness Of the Masses has not long be-
ore this time adopted the cheap system. The
GLOWING are the reforms Ia this matter which
will be urged on Congress as soon after IT convenes
as possible by an association OF merchants In New
York. who have banded themselves together for
the attainment ofthem -
l. uniform rate OF two cents for letters weighing
half and two cents for every additional half
prepaid, and double that rate II net prepaid
2 Newspapers periodicals, pamphlets and all print
ed matter, cent per sheet, prepaid; but newspa
pers of the smaller 'irs half cent and the larger, -
the Courier and Enquirer, not more than one cent
3. In large towns and cities free delivery Of mail
letters and newspapers TO their address
4 The total abolition OF the franking privilege
that postage shall be paid upon every thing BY the
mails Postage Of members Of Congress paid as the
other expenses Of the Sc nate and House Of Repesen
tatives
These rates Of postage are just such as are re-
qnred, and the member who will take them up,
work for them, and carry them out, will deserve
well OF his country, and will not be forgotten by
the people.
We have, on former occasions, dilated so fully
on the evils and Disadvantages OF the present con-
sular SYSTEM that is hardly necessary TO refer to
them again fully Column after column OF our jour
nal have we devoted to their consideration, and in
pointing them out. The Secretary Of State, Mr..
Buchanan, too, has employed his able pen IN the
same work. IN fact, it has been proved to the sa.
tsfacuon Of all, that our present consular system
a. 4y, oliy whoay iaAoequA.s W nag wsuts VI siAe