The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-06

documents. lie characterized this book making
~ great abuse. We prias because we can und
ffees and frank because we print. The people
Dad for liz whole. He lernaed much OF the matter
- in(srior. and fshe principal part Of the farmer
library was composed Of Congressional documents
he iiaugAter) seuld only say, God help the
farmer. ~
Mr.. SwEETZER, interrup,ng, was under
stood to say that he supposed such was the fact
in Mr. Roofs district because of the action OF the
people in relation to him.
Mr.. ROOT resuming, said that the member who
could make use OF ungentiemanly remark,
WINS at liberty to enjoy the benefits derived from
such Libraries. He maintained at length the duty
Of Government when using the mail TO pay Tor
such The franking privilege was principal
ly for the benefit Of esqaiyss, colonies and rssss.
ends. II those receiving documents were Obliged
to pay postage they would not Thank members for
some Of them. No man had On enemy whom ne
would sentence 10 read congressional documents.
Spare him the document. (Laughter.) Mr.. X.
advocated at some length prepayment Of postage,
both upon letters and newspapers, Persons writ
ing TO others upon business solely concerning
themselves would transmit in their letters, stamps
for the prepayment Of the postage Of the letter in
answer As to newspapers, he was opposed to
their free transmission because not just. lie WAS
for the prepayment Of postage upon them and be-
lieyed that the system would lead TO what he re-
garded as desirable to publishers, the prepayment
Of subscriptions.
Mr.. r. stated that unless the rates Of postage
were reduced, the expresses would continue to car
ry maable matter and thus deprive the Depart
ment of revenue. lie closed by remarking that
he should vote for propositions before the com
mittes, which should most nearly accord with the
views he had expressed.
Mr.. COBB, Of Alabama, proposed amend
ment repeating the law authorizing the Postmaster
General, to diminish service npon routes whose
mi IN tha ext nor IF car
ing the mail thereon.
MIR. COBB said that he proposed this amend
ment for the benefit Of sparSely populated sections
Of the country, particularly ofthe West. He then
went on to speak Of the inconvenience resulting
from the curaipg of facilities under the operation
Of the law OF l645 as we'll as Of the difficulty of
obtaining an increase Of service at the present
time.
Mr.. SACKETT proposed an amendment, max
ing the postage on letters weighing not oyer one
half an ounce, two cents for any distance under
500 miles--over 500 and under 1000, three cents
over 1000 and under 1000 five cents-over 1000,
ten cents, additional half ounces or fractions there
Of, the same as for the first half ounce. Newspa-
pers carried more than 200 miles and out Of the
State where published, one cent--within the State
where published, or within 200 miles if sent out
Of the State, one half cent-within 80 miles of the
place Of publication, or within the county where
published, if weekly, ten cents yesr-for u
semi-weekly fifteen cents-for a tri-weekly TWEEN
ty cents, and for daily thirty cents, payable six
months in advance.
MIR. BURT, the chairman, reported that the
committee had come to no resolution.
Mr.. SiBLEY, by unanimous consent, intro
duced bill authorizing the general assemblies Of
Oregon and Minnesota to take charge of school
lands, and for other purposes. Referred to the
Committee on Territories.
Mr.. COBB, ofAlabama, by unanimous consent
introduced bill for the relief of L. X. Reyborn
Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. POTTER made the usual motion for the
termination Of debate upon the postage bill on
Monday, two hours after the committee shall have
taken that subject under consideration. Carried.
Mr.. A. H. STEPHENS requested to be excused
from serving on the Committee Of Ways and
Means. Agreed to-
Th. House then adjourned.