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

to these carriers. Under the law still Larger sums
will be sent by mall and II is Of great Importance that
the carriers should be honest and responsible men and ii
appears 10 that if the charge for carrying is reduced
you will fail to obtain any but irresponsible persons
perform that duty. certainly should not desire TO in
crease the pay for tae carriers were it not that the inter-
ests of the community in general require IT.
Mr. NILES said that the gentleman from Pennsylva-
MIA was Directing to very small matter lie was en-
tirely opposed TO the amendment This I'd section 1t
would be perceived, proposed 10 Introduce new system
into the Post Office Department There was no obllga-
amendment, TO deliver letters, TO facilitate the depos
ting of letters in the office In the bill proposed they
had adopted The practice which prevails ~ Europe with
some qualifications, making il part of the duty of the
department 10 deliver letters and 10 convey them from
different pousss u the post Nace, without additional
cass nnd It il supposed that the government will be
sufficiently Eemunerate by the increase OF the number OF
letters This arrangement proposed to be carried
cut only in few OF the largest cities, where there
is very great number OF letters received and sent and
if it should BIO adopted, there would be several places OF
depose to receive letters and 70 convey them TO the OH
ces free OF charges and the cost OF having them by
a e pc to
higher charge being made to the receiver OF the letters.
II the postmaster could get that service performed
the law no stood. great many letters were .ad-
vertised in two newspapers in all these cities where
is proposed TO carry out the system OF free deliv-
cry, and charge Is made against the persons re-
cevng the letters of two cents for each advertisement.
making four cenis and then two cents more Tor de:
livery, making in all six cents; while, if this bill should
with additional cent for delivery. The object ntend-
ed in the bill under consideration to convey letters
everybody at the Lowest 5a e. and ne
must be paid by the department. and not by the IN
dvidual. 1t was intended to guard against exorbitant
charges the large cities where vast number OF letters
were delivered by carriers and if the system should
work well as it was hoped il would probably It would
be found after length OF time that even this charge had
present make charge OF cent upon the delivery:
: Mr.. CAMERON remarked that the existing system OF
salaries the Post o S be
pay Carriers (said Mr. CO. get now only about $aSo,
and posmasers never willing to pay more than the
himself The salaries Of pos.masiers in our large cities
very large, and the duty performed very small and
irresponsible The salary OF the postmaster in PhlIa
clerks eight hundred and that OF the carriers
about three hundred and fifty dollars Now, the respon-
siby falls entirely upon the clerks and carriers, who
receive the smallest compensation am therefore de-
srous OF paying those who perform the labor and assume
the responsibility in order to AVOID the temptation 10
unaithuness and dishonesty If the business is left to
boys irresponsible PERSONS great temptation Is thrown
in their way. therefore am in favor OF suffclent sum
being paid to these individuals in order to avoid the evil
Mr. NILES would suggest one idea to the gentleman
from Pennsylvania. In the view of the committee, and
of all who favored this system Of cheap postage there
would be dimnuiion OF compensation to the carriers
The gentleman did to have considered that the
number OF letters would be duplicated in one year after
the law into effect; and in the course OF three or
that the carriers would soon receive more money by this
than they did under the former having only
to make greater number OF deliveries upon the same
route, which would be but trfe more labor
b The question being then taken upon the amendment,
/ MI CAMERON moved further to amend the bill in
the Sd section to provide that newspapers sent not
more than thirty miles Instead of "fy," as proposed
in the bill from the Office OF publication, may be sent
Mr. WESTCOTT moved to amend the amendment.
by substituting sin the congressional district in which
they published, for hirty miles from the office OF
Mr.. CAMERON. The senator make the amend
ment afterwards
Mr. WESTCOTT. believe now is the proper time to
move an amendment to the amendment. aa
MIR. CAMERON. | beg the senator from Florida to
whdraW his amendment for The present
another time, would withdraw it,
The VICE PRESIDENT stated that it would not be in
Mr.. WESTCOTT.. Mr. President, upon former oc-
casion have stated the reasons for this amendment
PREFER sir that the whole clause should be stricken outs
against the clause as II stands or as amended by the sem
aor from Pennsylvania, [Mr, CAmGRos.] ,c,
believe this provision 10 be-, as have stated before.
which is hcky populated. and of benefit at all to the
States AT former session OF Congress was pro-
posed to limit it to the county AS said then, con-
sidered it improper and unequal, because in the
States, have but two or three newspapers circulated
over the whole State. The majority Of the subscribers
so, 100, $50 miles off should like to know, sir,
why these newspapers are not entitled to the priv
leges as the little newspapers of the northern States
But this rule can be made equal by placing 1t upon q
federal principle taking the congressional district instead
of an arbitrary geographical limit of so miles, leaving
it to the Postmaster General 10 ascertain precisely tho
distance of each place from the Office OF publication by
placing the limits with the congressional district, there
can be of difficulty, and there is proprety in it.
The papers published in congressional district contain
the information relative to the election OF members OF
Congress- and the circulation OF political newspapers
especially is within that district
see no reason for refusing to adopt this amendment
have no objection 10 the retention of the half cent tor
papers published within the congressional district, and
for this The conversation have had with the
gentleman from Texas satisfied of the proprey OF the
rule that they ought to pay something for nothing OF the
kind ought pass through the mails entirely free Inc
senator from proposes that they shall 60
entirely free am willing that they should pay enough
IN for carving In congressional district,
think il will be enough 10 pay half cent. The nsces-
sy of taking paper within the district ia imposed upon
every man who wishes properly to discharge his political
duties but for those who live out of the district to take
live IN the newly settled States will the importance of
the subject Gentlemen who represent States not so
thckly settled Connecticut New York, and Pennsyl
vania will the necessity OF making the law equal in
its operation. 3ap 70tg agfd ,a1laH.e9t5 .7eta il
Mr.. HAMLIN It seems to me that both the amend
menl BY the gentleman from Pennsylvania, and the
amendment to the amendments submitted by the senator
from Florida wrong and shall oppose both OF them.
If the principe however for which the original amendc
ment contends is adopted i may be right that e ptlnci
pie which the gentleman from Florida asks TOR shouu
also prevail For the reasons he has stated, may DC
proper that the cctt in which these papers shaii go
free should be extended beyond the limits OF any pre-
scrbed number of miles There would be greater justice
in this--the amendment itself would be- more proper