The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-01-25
Congress.

.
SENATE.-Mr. Peafce presented the memorial of
the clerks engaged in the post-offce in Baltimore
city, asking an increase in compensation.
Mr.. Hunter presented the credentials of the Hon.
James M. Mason, Senator elect from the State of
Virginia, for Elk years from and after March t. 81
Mr.. Seward presented six petitions from New
York and Pennsylvania, praying the repeal of the
fugitive slave law, which were laid on the table.
Aso, petitions for the abolition of slavery in the
Territories of Utah and New Mexico, and in the
District Of Columbia which laid on the table.
Mr.. Pearce introduced joint resolution in rela.
ton to the distribution of the books OF the expor-
ing expedition, which ordered to be epgrossed.
Mr.. Shields submitted resolution calling on the
President TO communicate information H. respect 10
the proceedings of the British agents on the Coast
ofSan Salvador which, after debate was agreed to-
Mr.. Benton offered resolution, calling for copies
of all correspondence between the United States
Government and the Spanish Minister, respecting
The Contoy prisoners. Laid over. ,ot
The bill providing for asceriaining and satisfy.
ing the claims of American citizens for spoaions
by the French was then taken up.
Mr.. Smith addressed the Senate for two hours in
support of the bill, when, without concluding he
gave way to motion to adjourn, and the Senate
adjourned.
HoUsE.-The House resolved itself into a Com.
mittee of the Whole on the state Of the Union, and
again took up the postage bill.
The amendment proposed by Mr.. Potter yester-
day, to the second section of the bill, was then
taken up, fixing the postage on newspapers, maga.
zines, and other printed maable matter at one
cent for the first TWO ounces, and one cent for
every additional ounce in weight; and limiting
the free circulation of papers; and the reduced
rate OF one-ialf on papers and magazines to those
which are sent from the Office where printed to
subscribers.
The amendment as anne ded being carried the
thiid section of the bill was read and Mr. Potter
moved an amendment, prescribing that the three
cent coin, for the issue Of which that section pro.
vides, shall be composed of three fourths of silver
aud one fourth of copper, and that such coin be
legal tender in paymen, of debts, which was car
red after very little discussion.
The fourth section of the bill was then read re.
quiring the Postmaster General to provide the sew
eral Postnasiers with three cent stamps and was
passed with an amendment, authorizing reduc-
non to persons purchasing to the amount of fifty
dollars. '
Among the opponents was Mr. Phelps, of Mis-.
souri,, who coniended that the rejection of the
amendment which he advocated of a rate of three
cents when prepaid, and five cents when not pre-
paid would create deficiency of the extent of
which members had no conception.
Mr.. Sweeszer, of Ohio, said that although he
had opposed the reduction which had been carried
yet he would offer no iactious opposition now that
the question had been decided but would give to
the supporters of the reduced rate the means thew
asked to meet any deficiency they contemplated in
the first instance, and that the business of the post
office might not be interrupted after the adjourn
ment OF Congress through want of funds
The amendment of Mr.. Phelps, to strike out
so0o,o0O from the section under consideration was
then negatived on division of 50 to 49,
During the consideration of this section. an
amendment was introduced and lost, substituting
envelopes Tor separate stamps was also another
abolishng the franking privilege, and providing
that the postage on communications received and
sent by and from members of Congress, and public
documents sent by the public departments, shall be
paid from the contingent fund.- or in the same man.
neI as the other expenses Of those departments.
The next section, fixing penalty of five years
imprisonment, or a fine of $500, on all persons
forging stamps or possessing forged stamps, with
intent to use the same, then passed
The sixth section appropriating sum- to the
extent OF million and a half Of dollars, to meet
any temporary deficiency that may arise from the
operation OF the act, as was expected, excited a
warm discussion, it being contended that the Post
office Department should be self fsustaining de-
partment, and that the reduction of the rate of
postage should not be made to an extent that would
interfere with that principle.
Mr. Phelps then moved that the remuneration of
two cents to mail carriers, ship masters and post
masters, for carrying and delivering letters, shall
be abolished, as also on free letters his object
being to impose the payment on persons receiving
the same which amendment was also lost
Mr. Potter moved that the postage on letters to
and from ports on the Pacific, be four times that
which is already determined on and on newspa-
pers, magazines, ETC., three times the same.
Ih.S mt WIN opposluon on the part oil the dele
gate from Oregon, and was ultimately lost. The
section was then passed, and The bill corrected, by
adding the word Territory after that of Estate.
| to comport with this decision.
An amendment was moved, authorizing the es
adjustment of offices Of deposit and delivery in the
| great cities of the Union, by which large amount
of revenue could accrue to the Post-office Depart
men and which is at present enjoyed by individual
| enterprlse-the charge for delivery not to exceed
one or two cents and that there be paid on adver-
| tised letters one centeach. This was negatved.
The eighth section Of the bill which authorized
and required, when the receipts of the Post. office
Department should exceed the expenditure, to the
extent OF tive per cent. for ten fiscal years. that the
| postage on letters should be reduced from three
| cents to two, was negatived without division.
| MIR. Phelps again called the attention of the
| committee TO the excessive remuneration paid 10
railroad companies beyond what is charged by
them 10 Express Agents, and moved an amend
| ment restricting the amounts to be so paid for the
| transmission of the mails in different class cars
| which was lost.
A motion was here made, that the committee
rise, which was lost. 'N>
and read by the Clerk, for striking ont the enact
ing clause, and fixing uniform rate of hostage n
five cents on letters, altering that on newspspsr n
and periodicals as already agreed to- defining Nh,
franking privilege, and prescribing punishment il
case of forgery Pending which, a motion wa
made to adjourn, and decided in the negative.
The amendment was again read and a motor
| to rise was again lost.
Mr.. Phelps attempted to explain his views, bu
the fall Of the hammer of the chairman cut shor
his speech, and motion was reiterated that th,
committee rise, which was carried, 76 to 70; ant