The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-19
HOUSE OF PERSONALITIES.
WEDNESDAY, December Is, l8

Mr.. FITCH asked unanimous consent to take
up the Senate bill providing for the appointment
OF Regents Of the Smithsonian Institution, hose
terms had expired. The m ,lion prevailed, and
the resolution WAS passed
Hon. Richard Rush, and Col. ]. G. Totten, are
appointed by the bill
! Mr.. SlBLEf introduced resolution,
Resolred, That the Committee on Public Lands
be instructed to inquire into the eXpediency Of
providing, by law, for transforming the 18th aud
Both sections of school lands in Oregon ard Min
nesota Territories to the Legislative Assemblies
thereof, and to allow of their being leased by said
Legislative Assemblies and that said committee
report by bill or otherwise.
Mr.. ALBERTSON presented the memorial Of
meeting OF citizens of the West at Evansville,
Indiana, and asked its reference to the Committee
on Railroads and Canals, and that it should be
printed. Carried.
Mr.. GILBERT introduced bill to establish
the Office Of Surveyor General for California Re-
ferred to the Committee on Public Lands
MIR. PHOENIX introduced bill establishing n
collection district in The State of New York, aud
port Of entry at White Hail Referred To the
Committee on Commerce.
Mr. THU RSTON introduced bill pro, idiEg
for a Revenue Cutter for Oregon.
Mr. CARTIER objected to It's reception, and
called for the regular order Of day.
Mr.. POTTER moved to 90 INTO Committee of
the Whole on the state Of the Union. Carried.
MIR. BURT in the Chnir.
The Committee proceeded to the consideration
OF the bill reducing the rates Of postage.
The bill is follows:
4 Bill 10 reduce and modify The rates Of postage in
the United States.
Be enacted by The Senate and House Of Represcn-
tatres Of the United States Of .Imrrra in Congress
assembled That letters carried in the mail of the
United States shall be charged with postage as
follows:
Upon each letter not weighing one half
ounce, when postage is paid where such letter is
mailed, three cents and for each additional half
ounce, or fraction OF half an ounce, when so pre-
paid, there shall be charged three cents. There
shall he charged upon each unpaid letter weighing
not more than one-haIf ounce five cents, and for
each additional half ounce, fraction Of half an
ounce, when so unpaid, the sum OF five cents.
Sec. ,. lind be il further enacted, There shall be
charged on each newspaper, Of greater size
than nineteen hundred square inches, transmitted
through the mails from the office Of publication
any place of the State where published, the
sum Of one cent and for any such newspaper de-
llvered within the State where published, the sum
Of one-haf cent and for each newspaper of
larger dimensions than above specified, shall lie
charged with additional rate for each addition
al nineteen hundred square inches or fraction
thereof. And all pamphlets, periodicals, maya
zines, and every other description Of printed mat
ter, Except newspapers which shall he uncOn-
nected with any manuscript written matter, and
! which it ia or nay be lawful to transmit through
the mails OF the United States, shall be chargeable
with postage at the rate of two cents for each
copy sent Of no greater weight than one ounce,
and one cent in addition for each additional ounce,
or fraction Of an ounce. Bound books not weigh
ing over thirty-two ounces shall be deemed mail
able matter under the foregoing provisions, any
thing in the fifteenth section OF the act approx ed
March third, eighteen hundred and forty five, to
the contrary notwithstanding.
Sec. 3. lind be il further enaced, The directors
OF the mlnts in the United States are authorized
and required to coin pieces Of the value Of three
cents, composed of three parts silver and one par,
alloy, which shall be lawful tender for all debts
due to the Government Of the United States, and
TO individuals, persons, and corporations.
Sec. 4. find be Il further enacted 1t shall be the
duty Of the Postmaster General to provide and
furnish to all deputy postmasters, and other per-
sons applying and paying therefor, suitable stamps