The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-06

going into the mails; he was against any thing
going free; every thing should pay and he was IN
/ favor of prepayment. He therefore believed that
( hese three principles essential "a n fair and
prosperous administration OF the Department,
namely: /. 1t should sustain itself; ,. That all
matter should pay; and 3, should pay in advance.
lie did not believe that the committee we're pre-
pared 10 come up TO the doctrine, but he believed
that he could convince any man who would listen,
without prejudice, that this is the true mode II
the Department could only be established on this
principle, then we could determine at what rates
OF postage the Department could sustain itself He
did not attach importance 10 the ranking PRIV
/ lcge "a some gentlemen did, That the dement's
are equal TO the expen he did not believe, The
best man who has seat on this floor cannot exet-
oise the privilege impartally.
He asked whether il possihl" TO exercise the
frpnking privilege impartiallyf lie believed that
il had been tried, hut no man possesses the requl-
site information 10 enable him 10 act alrly IN tins
particular II is connected with another evil the
printing and book making abuses, which go hand
in hand The people at large pay Tor the parucu,
lar favors which certain individuals receive; and
this ought not TO be. When the honorable gentle
man concluded his remarks
Mr. PHELPS obtained the floor. He gave way TO
Mr.. COBB, of Alabama who gave notice of his
intention 10 offer an amendment to protect the
sparscy settled sections of country from the reduc-
ton of mail facilities which would result, should
the bill pass in its present form, which he could
conclusvely show.
MIR. SACKETT also gave notice of an amend
ment, proposing two, three, five, and ten cent
postage, according 10 distance, &C.
Mr. PHELPS yielded the floor for a motion that
the committee rise, which prevailed.
SCHOOL LANDS IN OREGON AND MrNSEsoTA.
Mr. SIBLEY, in pursuance of previous notice,
introduced bill authorizing the Territories OF Ore
gon and Minnesota severally 10 take charge of
their school lands, and for other purposes which
was referred to the Committee on Territories,
Mr. COBB, of Alabama, on leave, introduced
private bill, which was referred
TERMINATION OF DEBATE,
On motion of Mr.. POTTER. it resolved that
all debate the bill TO reduce and modify the rates
OF postage shall two in hours after it shall
again be taken up in comnlittec
The House then adjourned.
PETITIONS PREsENl AD UNDER THE RULE
BY Mr.. ROCKWELL: The petition of Rev. Ban
croft Fowler and sixty -three others, citizens of
Stockbridgc, Massac husetts, in favor Of arbitration
or Congress of Nations for the peaceable settle
ment of difficulties between nations,
By Mr.. HOWE: Two petitions from one hundred
and sixteen citizens of Pennsy yania, praying Con
gress TO prohibit the transportation OF the United
States mail on Sundays, and to prohibit postmas-
tiers giving out mail matter on that day. Referred
to the Committee the Judiciary.
Also, the petition OF Joseph Jaggar and forty
four others, citizens of Mercer county, Pennsyl-
vania, praying Congress forthwith TO repeal the
Fugitive Slave Law. Referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary,