Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-12-24
THIRTY-FIRsT CoNGREss--2D SESSION


WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 49, 1850.
SENATE.
Mr. Douglas asked and was excused from serving on the
committee on foreign relations.
The resolution OF Mr.. Bradbury concerning removals
from office, postponed till Tomorrow.
The bill 10 amend the Patent Laws taken up.
Mr. Turney moved amend the bill by providing that
when paenee sha any person for an infringement oil
lis patent The defendant may scire against
the patcnise Ia test the validity OF the patent and that tile
Original suit shall be stayed until the ciro facias oe deermn
I'd. After long debate this was agreed 10.
Mr. Davis, Mississippi! submitted substitute for the
whole BILL and the bill was laid on the table.
The Senate then by vote ot ~ 10 IT, adjourned Mon
day. "
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TIE House has to-day again been occupied in the discus
sion Of ne bill FOR the modification postage; which
various uendmcns were proposed having principally In
the Transmission of newspapers free postage dis
81 twenty miles throughout The county i'll which they
published, in Congressional districts; and also the
forwading o letters without charge and from officers.
soldiers md sailors the service OF the United States
Mr. Thompson OF Pa. having moved the adjournment had
The floor and spoke considerable length in favor OF
transmission Of plpcrs within thirty miles, and their Tree cir
cuitton Throughout the county.
sir Morse La opposed the proposed reduction.
Ii more wanted he would for them and
lad objection 10 make postage as low as possible hut he
protecting aay particular .nteres; III ts
any way. lie o! opinion all rhc excitement
The srae" had originated in the age cities and tina; the
agricultural portion o: The people vi the United States did
wish for The contemplated reduction who wcad be cali
upon equally with any other class u contribute TO
deficiency The which might DC ocoa>nned thereby
Mr.. Idy.oI OF ONO was favorable 10 the reduction OF
postage and 10 the transmission OF papers free OF charge
distanc. o: thirty miles. The President and Postmaster
General had recommended reduction, and he felt bound
believe that such wod be injurious Ia the pub
lie service, sad proposed Amendment providing for the
free circulation o. newspapers within thry miles.
Nj. incl OF M,ssacanse'. after aI"dng TO the carry
Ing mills, conended that the House should be particularly
cautious rnd guarded IN making 'educons as If The
cei2s of the Post Office Department did not the
r,ndGres The difference must be betrayed out Of the public
treasury. T. in favor vi Uniform rate Of five cents
and coneaded Also that much Of the In favor
cheap postage caused by petitions forwarded from the
Eastern States.
ali tters belonging officers soldiers and IN
service United States should be- forwarded by mail
without charge by sea and land, TO their destination In
consequence OF what had been urged by gentlemen In de-
5ue he had the conclusion that tho reduction Of
postage would injurious the rural population And he
was I'D 10 make this remark, because he had formerly been
instrumental In presenting petitions which he had since been
satisfied originated in common source, and did not ea
press III. sentiments OF his constituents and had therefore,
proposed amenameut which he was SATISFIED would meet
with universal approval.
Mr. Bissei Of H. proposed amendment, which prov-
led that poso.ce should be abolished In spacey set
tied districts 10 the OF the posofice should
be materially diminished BY the operation OF the b-which
amendment Mr. Ashmun OF Mass agreet TO accept.
NJ Meade from Virginia thought the agricultural commu-
nifty cid whether they paid i've cents for letter or
less "a thew satisfied the inaahit,nts OF large towns
and lie adjacent country would be alone benefited by
reduction and he himself opposed to excessive reduc-
,ions He willing however reduce the charge OF ten
cents 10 five ard establish uniform rate Of postage
DR. Walden from, New York. said that the predictions of
bankruptcy AMI ruin consequent upon reduction OF post
age which had been uttered during the debate had been ad-
venced upon every former occasion when such reform
ucmpted and although they had never been verified were
cgan confidently repeated He favor of reducing the
rate of cents; and II the receipts did not meet
the expenditure would deay the difference from the public
treasury He rejected the idea tina, the agricultural popua
ton did feel interested In The question: and these whom
he renresen:ed were satisfied reduction would be their
/ advantage.
Mr. Carey OF Pennsylvania in favor Of free trans
mission OF newspapers throughout, the Congressional dis
,ics end consned agricultural portion of the po
puaton should secure their proportion Of tie proposed
/ form now or they never would obtain IT,
Mr. Thurs,on from Oregon expressed himself with much
warmth against reduction which was not intended to ex
tend 10 the PaciSc and concluded speech OF considerable
length b. declaring tina, he would rests; the every
attempt degrade the distant portion OF the United State
which he represented.
The Houae then adjourned till tomorrow.