The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-20

:, h..oms that all matter transmitted through
the mails should be subject to the payment OF certain
sum-a sum which shall adequately remunerate the
government for the service which she performs l am
Individually opposed to the franking privilege, IN It's
whole extent believing that the ros, U &C.
and that IT should therefore require every person and
every department of government. OF every individual
who may receive any facility or oeneh from that depart
ment to contribute 10 its support
do not believe that any branch OF the government or
any class of citizens should reap the benefits which
our mail system Affords without contributing payment
for it what these facilities worth Hence hold that
The whole franking privilege is entirely and radically
wrong, and ought TO be abolished
The amendment which the senator from Florida Mr.
WEsrcoTr1 has proposed will receive my vote, if it is
the best thing that can be done; since it is doubtful
whether we can accomplish more at this time am OPP
posed, sir this and have not heard single reason
from the senator who offers this amendment from the
senator from Florida which has satisfied me why we
should have any prescribed limits n weh ous ps
the paper goes free OF postage One mile beyond these
limits, it is charged with full postage Now. what rnle
of right is there by which citizen residing 80 miles
from the Office of publication shall receive his paper free
of postage, and the citizen residing 300 miles from
this office shall be compelled to pay full postage upon
that paper! 1t to me, sir, that that objection Is
sufficient were there not other reasons to prevent the
adoption of the amendment which the senator from Penn
'y Mr. WEsTCoTT the senator will permit me,
agree with him entirely this and the original amend
men proposed by the senator from Connecticut. and
stated that should vote for them both unless my amend
principle but II the principle be adopted think the lat
Mr. HAMLiN II is very true that the principle for
which the gentleman from Florida contends may be
nearer right but think they are all wrong. have
little experience in this matter, and so far as that eXpe
rence goes in my own section of the country. it has
proved injurious to the local press speak advisedly
speak what have been told by the publishers and ed
tors OF the papers themselves. that really serves to
limit and crcumscribe their circulation from that very
fact that the papers may go free for certain number OF
miles Their circulation beyond that limit, whatever
may be- is ccumscribed because those residing only
very short distance beyond it, without any good
which can in my opinion be given, compelled to pay
postage which the individual residing at point
from the office is not compelled to pay.
Believing do, that all printed matter transmitted
through the mail should contribute to the support of the
mail system, and believing that will be much nearer
right TO make those within certain number OF miles
tribute portion to the support OF that department. shall
vote against the amendment and against the amendment
10 My obse in ~ MAKING the notion
sir was benefit the country press and have pursued
the course which in my judgment seems right in regard
ceived from all quarters think this amendment is due
TO the press In my State pay large sums of money
for common schools and it is Just az important to give
the people the means of getting an education as to edu
cate them to enable them to understand what they do
get. have no fears about the treasury being burdened
TO s whether the bepa
men pays its expenses not provided it benefits the
people | am one Of those who believe that before
many years the Post Office Department, it exists.
stroy it believe individuals will do the business cheap
er and better; but while it does last, for diff
least able to pay. Scarcely county is able to sup
port its papers They interfered with by the dis
tant presses in large Cities who have much better means
for obtaining information, and which be afforded
cheaper wish to benefit these country presses by Civ
ing circulation to their papers free OF postage within
WHICH hs cuse ee
sixty miles in diameter will most of the counties of
the States Of this i, Union ~,
MIR. HAMLIN, Tin his seat) There coun-
ties than two hundred miles in length in my section
MIR. CAMERON. There may be a few counties OF
that length, as the senator says.
Icare, sir, little about the cost of my postage as
anybody else. And am willing to serve here for
nothing, if you like II paid my postage, should be
than hundred and fifty letters. Do you expect
me to pay. for those letters out of my eight dollars
are willing that their public servants whom they intrust
with important business should be exempted from such
a tax.
but those who talk the most against this privilege often
abuse IT the most This amendment have made at the
request of intelligent men engaged in the public press
MI. NILES. By the present law, newspapers not ex-
ceedng nineteen hundred square inches are required to pay
not exceeding two ounces 60 about the same extent at
uniform rate of cent Then there is proviso in
laton papers not weighing over two ounces and half
taking in all the ordinary papers. when sent, over
SO miles, for half cent Now It will be seen, for pa
pers sent within fifty miles make reduction of one
half | think that is pretty fair compromise between
the claim, the hand, OF free postage, and this,
the other hand of those who believe that ought to
have high rates. 'tt
Although, as matter OF right and strict justice, no
distinction should be made in favor OF the country papers
still, as matter Of policy have supposed that we may
be justified in making distinction in their favor But
Introduce the principle of free circulation into the
bihe great object OF which is to bring postage down
to the lowest possible minimum, and TO abolish all free
matterto introduce class Of free matter, think is
wholly inconsistent with the very principles of the bill
This is no new provision. The same introduced
in the act of 1S45 against my views of its propety
Many then very strenuous for this provision but
/ was decidedly opposed to it, 1t was carried without
1t supposed that the country editors would be much
benefited by it than they were. Why, sir, thirty
miles will embrace large portion of the circulation Of
the papers of the country; and the amendment to the
amendment will make stl larger portion. What would
be the result you should lose this of
the country And this is very important to the local
postnasters. This postage is for their benefit They
take fifty per cent of t-one half of itand you take it
all away from them. Let not suppose this portion of
revenue would be unimportant. Take Boston, for in
stance and draw around it circle of thirty miles in
large number of people to circulate within this space,
and all the labor of distributing them by the postmasers
will have to be performed for nothing Why, sir the
thing would not do II is little enough at half cent.
look upon this amendment as being fatal 10 the pur-
poses OF the bill 1t would take away very much of the
already very small revenue to the government This
amounts, with the newspapers, $4,000; and with
out the newspapers, to 100000; and calculate that
this bill would take of $5oOOo from it--and il is as
.~L h.