The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-23
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
REDUCTION OF POSTAGE

REDUCTION OF POSTAGE.
Mr.. BOYD moved a suspension of the rules, with
view of making Senate bill the special order of
the day.
The SPEAKER remarked TO the gentleman that
the motion could not be entertained at this time,
as a motion to suspend was two weeks since made
by the gentleman from New York, (Mr. CoNoER,)
and which had the precedence, and was in order
to-day.
The resolution which this gentleman wished to
offer read, as follows
Resolved, That the Committee on the Post Office
and Post Roads be, and they hereby instructed
TO report TO this House, with little delay as prac
tcable, bill to abolish the franking privilege and
for the reduction Of postage to the uniform rate,
when prepaid, Of two cents on letters weighing no
more than one half ounce each, and five cents when
not prepaid; also providing that all newspapers
within the county OF their publication, or the dis
lance of thirty miles Of the same, may be received
through the mails, by actual subscribers, free of
postage.
MIR. BROWN, Of Indiana, moved to lay the reso-
luton upon the table.
The SPEAKER said that the motion was not in
order, il had not yet been received by the House.
The question was taken on the motion TO suspend
| the rules, and decided in the negative-yeas 81,
nays 74-not two-thirds.
Before the result announced,
MIR. HALLOWAY, not being within the bar
when his name called asked the unanimous
consent Of the House TO record his vote. There
objection.
Mr.. BOYD made an Intellectual motion TO sus-
pend the rules, with view Of making the bill for
the improvement of the Cumberland dam the spe-
cial order Of the day for the 30th inst.
ISvxsTIoATIoN INTO THE OFFICIAL CONDUCT or THE
SECRETARY or THE INTERIOR.
Mr.. RICHARDSON asked leave to offer the fol-
lowing resolution, which was read for information,
viz:
pointed, with power TO send for persons and pa
pers, TO inquire and report TO the House whether
Thomas Ewing, Secretary OF the Interior, re-
opened and paid 10 G.. W. and w. G.. Ewing
Ireo
ST. 900, after the same had been adjudicated and
rejected by the proper officer of the Government
before said Ewing was indicted into the said office
Of the Interior; who were the agents and attorneys
for said claim; what clerk in the Office Of said De
partment Of the Interior had interest in said claim;
and how said interest, il any, was acquired.
2. Whether said Ewing rcopencd and paid in
terest 10 the amount Of S3l 900 on the pension
granted 10 Commodore James Barron for services
rendered in the Virginia navy during the revoiu-
tonary war, after the principal bad been fully paid
IL simple or compound; who was the agent or at
torney for said claim, and the authority Of law for
such payment, IL any.
3. Whether said Ewing reopened and paid a
indiana, Of los 900, after the same had been
adjudicsted and rejected by the proper officer Of
the Government before said Ewing was inducted
into the Office Of the Interiors who the agent
agents, attorney or attorneys, and who the
party parties in interest, and whether either Of
said agents, attorneys, parties In interest held
at the time Of such payment any Office under this
Government, or now holds such Office; and, II 90,
what office.
4. Whether said Ewing usurped the power Of ap-
pointment in the Pension and General Land Office;
whether the same was in violation Of law; also,
whether any clerk Of said Ewing's appointment
reviews the opinions and decisions Of the Commits
sioner Of Pensions, by order and under direction Of
said Ewing; and II so, the authority for such order
/ and direction.
s. What persons in Office by appointment from
said Ewing correspondents for newspapers,
their salaries, and what papers they edit or write
4 for.
Mr.. GENTRY said that he was in favor Of some
inquiry. He made no objection to the introduction
/ Of tho resolution.
MIR. RICHARDSON was willing TO modify Il, il
there was any thing Objectionable
! Mr.. GENTRY hoped that there would be no op.
| position 10 the introduction Of the resolution.
Mr.. PRESTON KING wished 70 know whether
this IL. was 81, f :. lui or petition day.
Mr.. KING. I don't object.
Mr.. MoREHEAD agreed with Mr.. GENTLY; but
IL struck him that the resolution should call for I'M
formation. Thus amended, be would vote for II
There being no objection from any quarter, the
| resolution was introduced.
Mr.. GENTRY Immediately offered a substitute
for IL, with view 20 arrive at the facts by diff
fercnt process Instead Of a select committee oi
nine he proposed 10 call upon the Secretary Of the
Interior to furnish the House with the information
and omitted from the inquiry the last clause, az
TO what persons in the office correspond with news-
papers. This would be courteous towards the
Secretary.
The SPEAKER remarked that the substitute
would not be IN order az an amendment, unless en-.
tertained by the unanimous consent Of the House
or accepted by the gentleman from Illinois
Mr.. RICHARDSON said that he could not nc.
ccpt II in lieu Of his resolution.
Mr.. MEADE observed, that IL appeared 10 him
the course Of the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr
GgrTRy) was the proper one. The resolution ol
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. RfcHAppsor)
seemed 10 assume the guilt Of the Secretary Of IN.
Interior.
Mr.. GENTRY. That's the point.
Mr.. MEADE. Having called ON the secretar,
for the information, il can be referred 10 a com
mittec
Mr.. RICHARDSON did not know whether tn