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

MT UNDERWOOD. i he senator mas misunderstood
me- intended 10 say, and think did say, that design
ed introducing the present amendment whether the other
Mr.. FOOTE. We'll, sir, I am glad 10 be corrected
SHALL then, only respond TO single remark OF the non
orable senator which struck at the time oil lis utter
ance as containing sentiment not altogether as much
entitled to approval many things which are spoken by
that senator He suggests as an argument IN support oil
his present amendment that If adopted, 1t VIII save us
from much OF that caumnious reproach, IN connexon
with the exercise Of the Ianking privilege TO which we
have been heretofore subject suppose MN 10 aiiude
TO the denuncatIons of the press.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Will the senator allow me- |
did not speak of the press The cansure to which re-
ferred was in a communication from the Post Oice De-
partment some years ago received can produce the
document If necessary.
Mr. FOOrE | certainly understood the senator
employing language much general than that which
he But am satisfied with his explanation and
will proceed. The senator still urges us to vote Tor his
amendment in order TO avoid decrial wei, sir, having
been influenced for single instant OF time IN my
whole life by such motive the suggested by him.
must beg leave to decline voting for his amendment
If whilst member of this body satisfy my own
conscience the approval OF my own honoed con-
stituents and avoid giving just offence to the VTtuous
and patriotic portion OF my counymen, shall care very
little what IN office, not IN otlice-what ed-
tors, mercenay scrbbers of SANDER for corrupt news
papers-nay say OF me- expect not to escape calumny;
/ have been able to escape it, do not desire to
ESCAPE It, NV self esteem would be indeed most deeply
mortified, the wicked the mercenary, the iacous,
the unprincpleJ OF this world to praise me- Though
the humbest of the members here, II will be admitted
besandered, and icued, than all the Senate besides
Were tend incarnate could scarcely merit all the re-
proach cast upon me. But will any man say he has
heard complain of it Has 1t at any time appeared
that dreaded detrmen from such airocious assalment
Will any assert that he has me angry or cast
down. at all ruted by all the rufiiany nonsense that
certain maudln scrbblers have caused to be published
against me Have devated to the right or to the left
from the path OF democratic recttude in consequence of
euch assallmen? No. sr-no; the dread OF undeserved
censure should never find into this chamber
know that there is such thing vruous man living
down decal, may have been dew sed
and in this country public man who does not feel as
sured that he will, later have in his power
to meet and to put down calumny and calnmniators,
however thicky and ercely they may array themselves
against him, has none OF that inspiring confidence IN the
sound sense and perfect Justice of his countryman,
without which public duties can never be cheerfully
performed nor public honors be egmaely acquired
The yeas and nays having been ordered
MIR. DAVIS OF Massachusetts, have but a word to
say in regard TO this amendment. rise for the purpose
of inquiring of the committee whether, in the modca
tons which they have had under consideration to be
posed to this BILL has occurred to them at ALL sir to
consider the propriety OF eyactng prepayment upon all
letters, aboshng upon letter postage the additional two
cents proposed and reducing the whole to one rate and
upon that rate exacting prepayment IN all cases
Now sir, if that will answer purpose, we get md
of a great many difficulties know there are some OBJ
jecons to it but would say for one that would most
willingly and cheerfully give up The ght OF ranking pro-
vded you will carry with the obligation to prepay letters
andI will take upon myself, without hesitation, as one
member of Congress- the duty OF prepayng any letters
the gamer by the proposition. do not think, after all
that has been sail upon the subject OF ranking, that this
privilege brings to the member OF Congress any equiva
lent for the labor which it brings with it. For one,
should be glad to he rid OF it upon any terms AMI cond
tons which should be equitable in their character;
Then, sir let letters be prepaid in all ctses Perhaps
this rule would not he applicable to newspapers and pc
riodicals, but there is no very serious difficulty in the
way of preparing letters Let them be prepaid in all
cases, and you avoid The trouble and inconvenience
thrown upon members OF Congress By very unnecessary
correspondence. AT any rate II the correspondence Is
carried on, it brings with it, TO the writer the burden of
paying the postage; and that think, will avoid the dill
Guilty in large proportion of cases.
Then it brings with IT another recommendation You
rid Of all credits in the Post Office Department; you
are rid OF all books The thing settles ITSELF as II goes
along and the consequences is, tina, the government
ually realizes, ordinarily, from the transportaons In the
mail the revenue which is anticipated. II would get rid
of large portion OF the letters in the dead letter Office
large quantity OF letters accumulate at that office, the
transportation OF which necessarily without any com
pensation whatever 10 the government and which is of
no to any
desire know, sir, whether the committee have con-
sdered this subject and have found any nsnperabe OBJ
saces to the proposition? They may exist, and may
be satisfied that the plan should not be adopted but
seems TO that it has strong recommendations and
would, in very equitable manner dispose of the frank
ing privilege, II this plan were adopted, the ranking
Mr.. WESfCoTT believed that il the Senate should
adopt the system OF the prepayment of letters they would
avoid much Of the expense of the dead-leter Office He
believed, too, that it would put stop to much trashy
correspondence upon which the postage paid by the
receiver, but would not be paid could he have known
beforehand the contents OF the letter. He believed, how
ever that the Thanking privilege was for the benefit OF
the people well OF the members OF Congress; free
opportunity should be given for interchange between
members and their constituents. He hoped, however,
that the from Massachusetts, Mr. DAvIsl would
introduce his amendment.
Mr.. NILES objected to compulsory prepayment He
did not think would be expedent to adopt that rule
not always convenient to prepay letters. The sender
might 20 to the office and find closed, might Rave
change to pay the postage with There would, there
fore, often be great inconvenience in compulsory prepay
ment. The bill making double rate would pre-
payment, he had doubt 80 per cent of all letters
sent through the mails He admitted that it would be
great advantage have but all 1t would
good deal of paper and would enable the depart
ment probably to dispense with several clerks Still he
doubted whether the country would be accommodated,
and pleased with such an arrangement
With regard to the amendment proposed by the senator
from Kentucky, [Mr UNDERwooD, he hoped it would be
withdrawn. He did not wish to have the bill enbar-
raised at this time by any amendments other than those
which came from the committee he wished the bill
printed amended by the committee.
In conclusion, Mr. N. withdrew his amendment rel
alive to the ranking privilege; which movement, of
from Kentucky, [Mr. UNDERwooD.]
On motion, the Senate then adjourned. .
TUESDAY, JANUARY l6, 1919.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
CORRECTION THE JOURNAL.