The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-18

mail When you get beyond an ounce the amendment
NAV have an operation, but il will have operation
after you get to two ounces except upon fractional parts
of an ounce; When you get beyond two ounces 1t Will
be duplicated.
Now word as TO the reason of this principle as adopt
ed in England. There are, believe, two for il
there, which will apply here The first is to guard
against the abuse OF the law Because, If we adopt the
hall once the first rate, it is easy TO that persons
may write five letters very thin paper, such now
used pretty generally in this country, and entirely in
Francehus five letters may be included in the first rate;
and merchant or manufacturer having number OF
respondents in New York might send all these letters in
snge envelope, to be delivered by friend There is
section IN our law OF last session prohibiting this, but 1t
cannot he enforced because there way to get at the
facts Only conscientious men, therefore, will observe
IT. But tins principle OF progression would prevent a
practice OF this kind, BECAUSE they advance IN weight
the rate OF postage advances that persons can gain
nothing BY sending several letters in one envelope An
other reason Is, that in securing to the whole bill the
lowest possible rates OF postage in important bust
ness communications OF the merchant and lawyer,
where there several ounces weight, such as
deeds charters, valuable documents Sc, they could
afford TO pay something more believe these the
reasons which have prevailed IN England to induce them
to adopt the principle OF progression But they have car
ried it much farther than we intend TO.
might add further consideration that has had some
influence with the committee In gland, parties have
settled uniform rate of postage for the first rate but
The treaty permits the parties contracting 10 fix their
own rules of progression II we adhere to ours, they
for all letters coming from that country to this on the
principle of proyresson-makng, of course, more than
we shall This is not sufficiently important considera
ton TO justify in adopting in this country rule
which is not in itself Just.
Mr. CLAYTON Inquired what was the amendment
The VICE PRESIDENT stated the amendment; and
the question being taken, it agreed to.
Mr. NILES then submitted the following amendment
SEC. Ind be IL farther enacted. That from and after
the first day of July, eighteen hundred and torynne the
Unted States and The ex Presidents oil the Uniod States
be- and the is hereby, abolished That all letters and
packages weighing over one ounce, received
by the Vice President Of the United Statas, the secretary
OF the Senate the senators and members OF the House OF
gres of the United and the clerk of the House OF
Representatives. during the session nf Congress. shall be
paid from the contingent fund OF the two houses OF Con
gres aud all documents printed by order of either house
Of Congress, when by any member of either house OF
Congress, shall be conveyed in the mail free OF postage
agreeable the existing law That all letters and PACK
age, relating official business ofany OF the executive de
rotary of State, tho Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary
of War; hs Secretary OF the Navy, the Postmaster General
said department, shall be conveyed free of postage being
certified on the envelope to be official atoms by
shall make false certificate on any letter or package,
they SHALL conviction, forfeit and pay fifty dollars for
The of said department
Mr. UNDERWOOD then moved to amend the amend
ment by adding after the words "attoney general" the
words land judges of the Supreme Court of the United
States"
The provision, as it now stands, reads thus
'Al letters and packages relating official business
Of the executive departments OF the government sent
received by the Secrety OF State the Secretary Of the
Treasury, the Secretary oil
the Postmaster General by the heads OF the bureaus
said department. shall be conveyed free of postage"
My amendment proposes TO give 10 judges of the Su-
preme Court the privileges so that letters and pack
ages relating to official business, to and from them, may
be conveyed free of postage.
will state to the Senate the reason why propose this
amendment Some Judges OF the Supreme Court-Judge
-, for instance whose jurisdiction extends TO the Rocky
mountainsfrequeny send and receive large packages
upon Official business. Lawyers send to them for in
junction, and the whole record is sent to them; they
sen whole &
think, sir, that if you allow the executive officers of
the country to send and receive everything which per-
tans to their official duties free of postage, there the
to allow the judiciary department to send
and receive what pertains 10 their official duties free of
postage; and unless distinction can be made between
The judicial and the executive departmensn reference to
their official duties, hope the amendment will prevail
Mr. DAVIS of Mississippi. If the senator will alter
the amendment so as to strike out the words sent or"
might vote for his amendment perhaps. But shall OPP
pose this whole amendment upon general principle
Public agents may be justly entitled to receive commun
cations free of postage; but am entirely opposed to
the ranking privilege, and should be very glad to it
abolished at this session of Congress- There may be pro-
priey receDing communications free but all that is
sent away must be Tor the benefit of the person who
ceives it, and he should pay the postage instead OF him
who sends it, and who will derive no benefit from such
communications. s-..
Mr. UNDERWOOD will state to the gentleman
the way, MIR DAvs,] that am very happy to hear
that he seems be inclined to abolish the ranking priv
ilege | intend to cooperate with him most cordially
and if the amendment prevail, shall move to strike out
in the sixth line the words send or " and il that amend
ment is made, easily conform to his views.
think it is premature to bring that subject before the
Senate but have marked the amendment, to be offered
ut the proper time AT present want to whether the
Senate will put the Judges Of the Supreme Court the
footing with the executive departments Ii that is
sanctioned the other amendment which have referred
to can be offered.
Mr. DAVIS of Mississippi glad to hear the re-
marks OF the senator from Kentucky in favor OF restrict
ing the ranking privilege; but he doubted the propriey
of giving this privilege to the Judges of the Supreme
Court with the view OF taking il away again 1t was
very easy matter to give privilege. but exceedingly diff
cult to take it AWAY again after it had been enjoyed.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. 1t is a very little matter in this
particular and would rather II would stand upon this
principle. We do want to compel the judges TO pay
the postage all their official correspondence; and If
the persons interested will each pay his postage it
will be bat small pttance to each. hope that
shall take the question upon the principle whether
we shall give to the judiciary department the same pvi
leges AZ 10 the executive department.
Mr. MILLER. | would simply inquire whether the
amendment OF the senator from Kentucky is an amend
ment from the committee .r
Mr. UNDERWOOD. No, sir rs 81
Mr. MILLER. i hope, Mr.. President, inasmuch
the amendment does not come from the committee and
brings up the question with regard TO the ranking pvi
ege the senator will waive for the present, and let
see the bill II from the hands of the committee.
Let the bill, with the amendments OF the committee, be
printed; and them if any chooses to offer amend
ment TO the bill he do AT present, number of
amendments have been proposed by the committee and
are 10 be printed. | hope therefore, the gentleman will
Withdraw his amendment until after the printing of the
bill
Mr. ALLEN only rise TO say, sir that | shall OPP
pose The resolution to confer the privilege OF sending
matter through the mail free by the Judges of the Su-
preme Court The principle OF the proposition is this
to make the government OF the United States to that
tent, bear the expense private litigation. The reason
why the ranking privilege has been conferred upon the
tnr lI nj hnna, t.,,