The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-19
xEpucrlos on rosrAor.

1. POSTAGE On uhtI-OuuCc letter prepaid tuEtc
cents; not prepaid five cents.
| 2. Postage on each Newspaper Of no greater size
than nineteen hundred square inches, transmitted
through the mails from the Office Of publication to
any place out of the State where published, one
cent; and for any newspaper delivered within the
State where published one half cent; and for every
per of dimensions than above specified
an additional rate for each additional nineteen hun
dred square inches, or fraction thereof. Pamphlets
periodicals, mngasines. etc. two cents for each copy
sent OF no greater weight than one ounce, and one
cent in addition for each additional ounce, frac-
ton OF an ounce, &c.
g. The directors of the minis to be authorized and
required TO coin pieces OF the value Of three cents
to be composed of three parts silver and one part
alloy, which shall be legal tender for all debts due
to the Government OF the United States, and to in
dividuas, persons, and corporations,
4. Provides that the Postmaster General shall
provide three-ce stamps TO the deputy postmas-
tiers.
5. One million five hundred thousand dollars ap-
Propriated to supply any deficiency that may arise
IN the Post Office Department.
MIR. POTTER moved TO amend the BILL by
striking out all after the enacting clause, and in
serting, in lieu thereof, substantially follows
l. That letters carried in the mails Of the United
States shall be charged not over one half ounce,
three cents; and for each additional half ounce,
three cents
2. On each newspaper, pamphlet, periodical,
magazine, book, anti every other description of
printed matter matter which shall be unconnected
with any manuscript or written matter, and which
IL INC lawful 10 trdnSHllt tnrcuSH tHc ndlls Ol
no greater weight than two ounces, one cent and
for each additional ounce fraction OF ounce,
one cent. Bound-book not weighing over thirty
ounces shall be deemed mailabe matter under the
provisions OF this section provided that newspapers
delivered in the State where printed shall be
chargeablc with only half the foregoing rates
3. The directors Of the minis authorized and
required to coin pieces of the value of three cents
composed of three parts silver and one part alloy,
which shall be lawful tender for all debts OF thirty
dollars or under due to the United States and to
individuals, persons and corporations.
The fourth aud fifth sections are the same as in
the original bill
8. There shall be charged upon all letters trans
ported IN the malta from any OF the Atlantic ports
in the United States to any Of the ports in the
United States upon the Pacific, or from any of the
ports in the United States up the Pacific to any
OF the Atlantic ports in the United States, four times
the usual rates; and upon all newspapers, pam
phiets, periodicals, magazines, books, or other
printed matter, herein provided for, three times
the usual rates.
Mr.. POTTER said thi. question was 80 we'll I'M
derstood, that he would not long detan the COM
mittee by his remarks. He referred to the opera
tons of cheap postage in Great Britain in com
mendation, and expressed the opinion that if the
former rates in our country, those which existed
prior to ls45 had continued, the revenues of the
Post Office Department would have fallen short,
instead of leaving large surplus after defraying
its expenses, under the present charges. He con-
tended that there be further reduction,
without detriment to the Department. and if the
the course OF hive years the surplus would be greater
than it now is. The main expenses for the
transportation Of the mails, and for the delivery of
the letters, including the compensation to the de
putty postmasters He did not know why letters
carried hundred miles should be charged double
the rates Of those conveyed but fifty miles. II
a mere question of transportation. The mails may
as well go thousand as a hundred miles. He 4
planned the amendment which he had offered ; and
was followed by
Mr.. CARTIER, who said that the proposition
would bankrupt the Department; and in proof OF
this, one million and half of dollars to be
appropriated to sustain il. Were they going to
follow the speculauons of the Postmaster General,
who had been 30 short time in office The
Secretary Of the Treasury informs Congress that,
with the immense receipts into the exchequer, they
viii fall short OF the demand by eight millions
nually. Would it not be better, then, 10 study
economy, and preserve our good faith and make
this postage machine sustain itself until there shall
be no public debt The object is to create a dis
junction IN favor of large newspaper establishments
In the Northern Atlantic cites and to supplant the
country local press. He would have little objection
TO this, II those cities would turn out pure senti-
ments and principles but he did not wish TO bring
the interior into dependence upon the sinister and
mercenary influence Of money, which constitutes
the sole guide OF city politcs He was in favor OF
reducing the postage only far by il the De-
partment could sustain itself to five cents, in
stead Of three. If this should succeed, still fur
ther reduction could be made, without at once
running TO the extreme verge Of postage, is now
proposed
Mr.. AsHMUN, after few preliminary remarks,
moved TO strike out the fret section Of the BILL and
10 substitute the following, viz
THAT from and after the fret day Of July next
the postage all letters shall be az follows: All
letters not exceeding half an ounce in weight,
Ncyed any distance within the United States shall
be charged with two cents postage, and like sum
for every additional half ounce fractional pa ri
thereof, the postage being prepaid in all cases and
all drop letters, letters TO be delivered at the
office when deposited. shall be charged with one
cent postage, 10 be prepaid"
Mr.. YENABLE said IL was right and proper
that the postage should be reduced lie was will
ing TO adopt the uniform rate Of five cents for he
was well satisfied that when this shall have been in
operation for few years, IL would be dcmonstra !
ted that reduction below IL will be proper and de-
sirablc. Notwithsta nding the rates were reduced
more than one-halfi In 1885, there IL more than
ball million Of surplus revenue from that source
lie could zee no reason why the Poet Office Depart
ment should be self sustaining machine, any
more than the navy should support itself by |
piracy or the army by plumber. lie called on the
freetrsders land he professsed 10 be one) 10 show
their iaith by their works and point out the differ
encc In effect between a tar on a letter and A tar
on yard Of riband. II you gay there should be a
low tariff the necssarics Of life because Il in
creases the revenue, then you should on the same
principle reduce the tax letters 10 increase the
revenue. II the doctrine be true 20 the one IL
s equally true as 10 the other. The honorable gen
tleman advocated the increase Of mail facilities for
the dissemination Of knowledge.
Mr.. sACRETT asked the attention Of the com
mittee to the subject Of country newspapers. II
we are 10 secure revenue from them, be said the /
postage Of that branch Of the service be great
~ reduced. IA the matter stands, not more
than i've per cent Of the weekly newspapers Of the
whole country press pass through the mails In
TACT, nearly the whole circulation, except er
changes, are cent by carriers by other than the
mail service This IL prejudicial both to the PEG
pie and the revenues Of the department. The
whole circulation Of the country press does not
now pay $4,000. With reduction TO ten cents
year, or two mills for paper. more than sir
hundred thousand papers will be thrown into the
mails, and at least $4,000 secured 10 the Gov
eminent; and, What ia Of vastly more oonse-
equence the community viii be far better served.
great increase Of Newspaper circulation will
be secured, and all the beneficial influences Of
a widely circulated healthy, vigorous, vell-sus-
tanned, domestic local paper will be permanent
ly established There now almost one thou
sand five hundred papers 10 be affected by this al
erston Of postage. The circulation is not less than
seven, eight, or nine hundred thousand per week.
The benefits OF such press are incslculabe; and
II IL 20 be encouraged by all proper legislation II
s nov practically denied the benefits Of the mails
The postage at present charged is more than fly
per cent on the cost Of the paper. In conclusion,
he offered amendment, that on newspapers
ID anv Mace Of the State here nubti.bcd