The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-01
THE UNION.

Mr. argued 10 show that as these documents bound in
one volume would not make than 93l pages. they
should be SO ordered be prepared for tus uss of the
House
This amendment having been further advocated by
Messrs WENTWORTH and FOWLER,
\ MIR POTTER moved the previous question.
Mr. FULLER, by leave, remarked that he had infor-
nation from the public printer that il would be delayed
Tor lnee months awaiting le engrayngs. which would
| make the solune very unwedy.
: The previous question being next seconded by the
/ House, the amendment was adopted; aud then, as
| amended. the resolution was agreed to.
Mr. JONES moved 10 reconsider the last vote and then
TO lay that motion on The table; which last motion was
| agreed to-
| posrAoEs.
| Mr. POTTER moved the suspension OF the rules TO 90
into Committee of the Whole on the state OF the
| Unlon--ayes IT. noes 49,
Mr.. ROBINSON demanded he yeas and nays no, or
dcred.
The SPEAKER then ANNOUNCED that this motion had
been agreed to.
Whereapon the House went into Committee of the
Whole on the state OF the Unon, (MT. STRONG in the
char and taking up the bill M the reduction OF the rates
MI. HEBARD, who was entitled 10 the floor, giving
Mr. POTTER remarked tina. he intended TO press this
bill from this time until the House finally disposed Of
Last year similar bill had been defeated by permitting it
to lag so long that the general appropriation bills,
by rule crowded il out OF its place He proposed on
Monday, to take final vote upon it, This being holy
day week, many OF its friends absent he could
not ask vote on il to-day.
|
Chairman, when the committee last had this subject
under consideration. was proceeding to remark upon
some amendments that | had sent TO the desk 10 be
read Il was my purpose then to have detained the com
mittee but short time in the few remaining remarks
that desired to submit; but SO long time has elapsed
that shall be still brief than then intended
The first amendment proposes smaller sheet to pass
though the mail at the fixed rate, than the one proposed
BY the bill, The amendment proposes to substitute
twelve hundred inches for nineteen hundred Ii not
mistaken, twelve hundred inches will give larger paper
than printed in this city; and unless the size is restrict
ed TO something less than nineteen hundred inches,
stricon is needed. No merely reading paper would
exceed twelve hundred inches 1t would only exclude
those mammoth sheets that filled with advertisements
and other worthless matter, and which become burden
TO the mail and nuisance to those to whom they are
sent, do not regard the amendmen, of very gea, i'm
porance but repeat, let the size be restricted within
reasonable limits, to attach to il practical
utility, or let all papers pass without restriction
to their size.
The next amendment is that | regard of more i'm
portance and the adoption or rejection OF this or some
other OF kinered kind, will show the determination of
the committee upon this subject. Some discrimination in
favor OF the country press is needed to put them
equality with the city press am not disposed 10 make
war upon the city papers; buthey have facilities which
the country papers have not but this discrimination
only Incidental The city papers enjoy the privilege
but 1t is an arrangement that they less need than the
country papers--they derive less benefit from it, The
country press cannot be dispensed with account of
its local lnlegence II is necessary the city press
for the diffusion OF general intelligence, and should there
fore receive that encouragement which is claimed 1t il
the true policy of enlightened and liberal government,
TO provide for the general diffusion OF intelligence among
The people.
II That amendment of the kind should be adopted
lregard OF intrinsic Importance. The particular form
provision OF the principle being secured is all that is i'm
portant But am not quite prepared with the gentleman
from lPennsyvsqa lMr cA.EY to say that unless this
can be secured shall go against the whole bill. am
for what can get am for radical change in the rates
of postage upon letters and newspapers am for such
change as the condition Of our finances will warrant, and
such change intelligent public in the whole length
and breadth OF the land have demanded But if cannot
get all desire, will accept what be Obtained
The objection that government is in debt is to
ys poor argument against doing 10 abou s "a
j.Js meDt ny very unwise policy II this debt is any
argument for retrenchment let begin BY looping off the
exravagan appropriations by hundreds and thousands
and not by attempting TO increase the by holding
on TO a lew cents postage.
Another objection that is urged against this reform is
not deserving Of great weight II said that the
towns and cities the only to be benefited and that
as TO these petitions none OF them originated IN the agr
cultural districts Sir represent agricultural district
and agricultural Stale-and State that pays large
excess OF postage beyond the expense incurred. And |
must here be permitted to deny for my constituents
what the gentleman from Missouri asserted or his-tha
the people who signed these petitions did not know what
they were signing and felt no interest in The subject
assert, sir for that they did both know what they
were signing, and felt an interest IN the subject and that
the petitions were not got up IN the cities but originated
where they signed. Bu, supposng it is the bust
people OF the cities that pay the most postage aud
feel the most interest," that any argument az alnst this
reform! Why should the merchant the manufacturer
the broker be oppressvey taxed than any other
classes II they receive letters they pay post
age proportion. They them have the rights and
the sane burdens TO bear IN common with the rest.
repeat then, SIR in accordance with the spirit OF inn
provement and the progress Of the age gse the people
the reform they SO loudly call for Remove this obsa-
Gle 10 the dissemination OF truth, 10 social intercourse
and the Improvement OF the kindly and humane principles
Of our natures | must be permitted to repeat that
astonshed al the opposition that this measure has
met. 1t is 10 remarkable that this country should
so doggedly insist upon tagging far in the of
Great Britain upon subject in which the most vital
principles OF liberty and prosperity are involved.
here yield the floor without further trespassing.
Mr.. CHANDLER then addressed lhe House in favor
OF the principle OF low hostages, taking occasion TO
correct the miss OF the facts likely grow
out OF making special privileges for the country over
the city press and urguing that they should be treated alike
in the legislation OF Congress He conceived that
irary policy would be as improper as unjust. tie de-
signed proposing amendment which would embrace
magazine literature viz authorize the publishers to
The department met with almost entire loss OF the
postage them, they sent TO subscribers by ex
press.
Mr. WENTWORTH argued in favor Of nominal
postage newspapers sent within thirty miles OF the
office of publication, which shall be paid in advance.
Mr. w here sent TO the Clerks desk his amendatory
propositions which read at length for the information
OF the House.
Mr. FOWLER oaeq pm amendment, to make the rate
OF postage cents prepaid half ounce letters for all
distances.
Mr. F. then argued at some length in favor OF his
proposition
Mr. OTIS next advocated the enactment Of the BILL not
as reported from the Committee on the Post Ohcc and
ht,s al h tha nd ~ NJ