Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-03-23

wishes, can see and read it, and derive sd-
vantage from it.
Nor do think the argument, tha, it is not
the legitimate business of Congress to make
books for the people-to undertake public
education has any more force. | do not
think that it would do any harm to any of our
constituents, 10 have good, solid, practical in
formation, upon a subject intimately connec-
ted with the best interests and prosperity Of
the country, and that, too at the expense of
the Government, which they maintain and
support. Your farming interests comprise
nearly eighty per cent. of your entire popu-
lation and ask you, what do you expend
for their benefit What do you do 10 sup
port and encourage these interests, besides
this yearly pttance for this reports and of
this you wish now 10 deprive them. Sir, we
who represent honest, hard-working farmers,
would be rccreant 10 our duty !0 ont,constitt-
ents, il we did not resist earnestly the at
tempt that is now made to cut off from them
this mite, which has always been given grud-
ginely.
The gentleman from South Carolina mir.
Woodwardl objects, that it is mere compi-
lation, and contains extracts from agricultural
lournals--that he wants learned and scien-
titic report, Sir that it embodies a vast a.
mount Of plain, solid, practical information, is
true; and that, in my judgment, is its chief
merit. Send out learned, scientific disqusi-
tions OH the subject Of agricultural chemistry,
alkalies and gasses 10 fagmers, and they will
not thank you forl them They would not
give SOUS for bushel of them. They want
something which tells them in plain, s,raigh.
forward tarmeE-like way, how they may ims
prove their farms, and their cattle, and bet.
Ter their condition, and those things these re.
ports contain, and those, | repeat, are their
best features
The gentleman from North Carolina MIR.
VESADIE opposes the printing Of this report,
because, he says, he is in favor of reducing
postage, and these reports will tend TO en-
cumber The mails, | will go as far as that
gentleman, or any other upon this floor, to
reduce postage. | believe, sir, with that
gentleman, that it is measure loudly called
for by the people and the press. 1t isneces-
| sary, sir, in order that intelligence may be
circulated freely and fully throughout the
country. | would make it, if could, as free
as the light Of heaven. I am, too, sir, for
! cheap postage on letters, and fol- the free cir.
culation Of newspapers, within thirty, forty,
or fifty miles of the place where they are
/ published, or within the county, or Congress.
sional district, where they are printed. This
is a measure OF reform that much desire to
see and am glad to know that we shall
have the talents and influence Of the gentle.
tleman from Moth Carolina with US on that
subject
! But If we adopt one wholesome measure,
il certainly affords no satisfactory reason why
we should abandon another. II the Post
/ Office department cannot sustain Itself, and
bear this additional burden, under the pro-
posed reduced rates, lei Government pay for
their transmission. Ii is the peoples money,
and il expended fer their benefit, whs has
,he right to complains arr, therefore, for
printing this report, and printing the very
largest number namcdi nope, air, not less
than 100000 Of the agricultural report
And for my vote on that cs well as for the
proper distribution of those shall receive,
will answer 10 my constituents,
I am, aware sir, that these reports have,
perhaps, moi been as perfect rs they might,
aud would have been, ii the interests which
they seek 10 promote, had been properly
cared tor by Congress While you vote nil
lions for the army and navy, and eXpend
thousands upon thousands every year for -
military academy a; West Point-zmake coast
surveys for the benefit of commefce-miner-
illogical surveys, and publish maps and de-
scrplious of them--f, ont and send forth
exploring expedilions--t gentlemen don't feel
shocked at this yet, when we come to ask
that the Government shall exhibit TO this
large and most deserving class of her people,
that they are not entirely overlooked, gentle
men rtarrie at the enormous expense, Why,
sir, il is but a few days since, that the gentle
man from Maryland introduced a resolution,
, providing for the printing of thirty thousand
copies of the Report Oh Commerce, for the
5 benefit of his constituents, and others, who
= represent large commercial cities,
voted for it---l did not object TO it; yet
t wish TO treat all alike, and all not only f2i,ly
5 but literally; for none will go further
, than for the interests of the farmer,
will go with gentlemen for the erectIr,
of an Agricultural Bureau, 10 take charge @
g this great interest, and believe it TO be de
manded at our hand2, by every principle @
0 justice and fairness, as those who contribut
T most TO the support Of Government, an
5 whose OCCUPATIONS and pursuits form the basi
e of her wealth, her power, and he, greatnes.
6 should have at least one bureau among all he
D deparlm ents, to look alteF, to guard, to pro
+ mote, aud to protect their welfare. hope
= therefore, Mr.. Speaker, that the vote will b
J. re'consideFqd--the number greatly augment
2 ed, and that we shall have them speedil,
: prnted, ana for distribution among our con