The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-22


tie Offices kept for the part. and crossroad
laverns, where in attendance who generally
reads them IN the bargain; and do mol believe that
these postmasers regard II any serious nconve
nence TO deliver them.
II has been suggested to me that the amendment ought
To be modified not 10 embrace the two propositions
10 strike out the latter pant OF the amendment,
leave ii provide for The free circulation within the
county only. That am entirely content with. Nor do
want to spend any more time upon H. ask the unani.
consent OF the Senate 10 strike out the lat part OF
the amendment, leaving the circulation free within the
county. #".a
Mr.. SEWARD hope not hope il may he dis
unet question. My colleague think will be satisfied
with the suggestion that II will be desirable, for the sake
OF our constituents TO bring up the question as nearly
possible to allow newspapers circulate freely within
the congressional district.
One word in regard to circulation of daily newspapers
as compared with that OF weekly, have in my mind
Tour newspapers, published in the city of New York.
whose daily issues the aggregate 230. 900
copies. think IL is fair estimate that there are in the
State OF New York one hundred and fifty week papers
what are called week kles-wh average circulation of
seven hundred making in the aggregate l05 900. So
that there is very large balance in favor of the daily
circulation which is ninetenths of the whole newspa-
per circulation in the United States, the gentleman
from Connecticut Mr., SMlTH] supposes think is
very doubtful whether it bears the proportion OF much
more than two to one.
The question being taken on the amendment of Mr.
DICKINSON by yeas and nays, they stood as follows
lEAS-Alessrs. Cass Chase, Clarke, Cooper, Dayton.
Downs ETmg Feyh Mason Mhlsr, Phelps, Seward,
NAYS-essrs Atehison, Badger, Baldwin Bsrrien. Bor
and btad6nIy Clay Clemens, Davis Of Massachusetts,
Hunter, Jones kng Morton Morris, Peace Pat,, Khsti,
derwood, Wales, and la'ee-sl.
SO the amendment was rejected
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. | will now offer my amendment
which withdrawn, and ask the Senate to vote upon
it, The gentleman from Ohio [Mr, CHAsEl did not &C
10 accomplish, and therefore renew the amendment
VIII barely observe that my amendment would
have been proposed bul for the discrimination that this
bill makes in favor OF the large aud against the small pa
pers My amendment is intended 10 get clear Of that dis.
elimination against the country press Il is an act of
justice and will ask the Senate TO dispose OF at once
will not even call the yeas and nays upon it, ~
The amendment was hen read as follows: a
"P,ooidsd, further Thai newspapers published only
week, and whcn weigh when dried, less than one aud
ha ounce shall be charged oJy one.hal the rate charged
upon a paper exceeding that weight"
The question being taken upon the amendment, upon
division i was rejected as foows-ayes 10, noes %.
Mr. SEWARD ] now propose TO amend the amend
ment OF the committee by striking out the second section
oil that amendment and inserting in lieu thereof the
cond section OF the bill as came from the House. with
The amendment by the Senate, making read three cents
instead OF two cents. Upon that question ask the yeas
and nays. #Ga~
The question being taken upon calling the yeas and
nays, they were not ordered.
Mr RUSK. hope the Senate will indulge me in
reaiing communication from the Postmaster General:
Tue OF postage printed matter, and especially
bound books least for distances fixed by the
Hous bi low Tor the Of the Department
There to fear that the large increase of printed
matter produced by this bill viii overburden mui-,
aud more than guadruple the failures aud irregularities
now 50 much complained Of and which great
tent caused the weight Of printed
(ree and chargeable) now sent by mail II there is
crease rs great as may perhaps be anticipated the
cot back service numerous mail routes will be
CURED TO be raised twohorsc coach service, aud
horse to iour-hofe coach service hus requiring
nous lncTe ise OF our expenditures for transportation
the department is assume tue business Of
ompanes and other common carriers, it should bc allow
ed 10 graduate It's prices least in distance Ii
wa at once be perceived that with the uniform hxed
oy ,n, s ao T. 'as WIN only De allowed to carry
NOT probably Dc at the post office rates From Houlton,
ia the state OF Maine, Santa Fe New Mexico
y Paul in Mnnesoa to San Fraocis in Cnlorntat
Post Otice Department mus carry reprints OF novsA and
other books and other printed maier at the rate Of hsen
pound while private express woul undertake
carry the same ia parcels OF loo pounds five times that
Prepaid magazines (and what will not be a magazine
bl' b passes 10 bs carried at "a cents or lePer
expresses change 65 per pound packages OF
100 pounds from New York TO San Francisco Tho de.
transportation oil this isthus alone and,
slte allowing the % cent commissions TO the Posnas
distance om pnuadelphs, by the way OF New York, to
San Francisco"
take occasion here observe, that if gentlemen are
sincere y In favcr reduction OF postage, trust that
they will vote Tor bill that will approximate TO something
like what would be payment OF the expenses OF tbS
department; Otherwise the whole system will break
down. .. .-
MIR SEWARD suppose we may read letter for letter;
and will beg leave TO read extract OF letter from
gentleman OF knowledge and acquaintance with this sub
Iect which surpasses my knowledge, and which
will not be dsrespectfu say OF any person connected
with the government suTpasses his The iol-
lows: .9a
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. 1851.
"DrAR srR Although have not the pleasure OF per.
.,,.I ,rnu,ntance with YOU yet feel 1t a duty aud
thank you ior your advocacy OF cheap Po~sxe
Ia tue senate which in acoordsnce with the thoossnds
M netons all parts of the country which have boen
orr.rnted 10 C5ngress The people have asked tor a
nnorn rate o Two cents pepad-not for iro rates. and
neither OF them as low as The one they pet'ionea 'o
,e rates on ncwspHpers II adopted, will create unit
hrooghou, the cosnt,y ana sspocV
am oup the editors.
" Hon WILLIAM II SKwARD' ..#
This letter ia from Barnabas Bates, and am willing
10 abide nv the test OF his knowledge IN this matter
Mt DOWNS ! think the letter read oy tne sen..o1
from Texas is the most conclusive argument INN mss
amendment should not be adopted IL says, ~ unas'
stand /, Alright, tha, II the amendment be adopted Tue
failures IN The mails will be quadruped NOW, usy
are auadruped according to my experience we sna mes
have great deal less than nothing tor we nave io1f o
five failures week noT, and II they are quAdruPled
bonit Le to know what Is 10 be left fLaugher There
never have BEEN suppose IN the history OF the govern
men, before half many failures IN the same time xs
there have been within the last three or four months
They seem 10 multiply in s quarters and IN all directions
Now If the amendment ot- the honorable senator is TO
auadrope them, think we bad better shut up shop al
once tLsushter.1
The question being taken upon the amendment to The
amendment, 1t was not agreed to
Mr. SOULE, propose TO amend the eIgh'h socuon
by adding what follows:
Ind propidd further, That the Postmaster esnef ~ :"
the sporsuon OF the mails con'snpasu ~ ~, ,,,nx
ton shall be hound select the route WhcH sns' 80
tha aud the mos