The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-15
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TurcnAr I'm IL. 1871

TUESDAY, Jan. Ia, 1891
Mr.. ALBERTSON asked unanimous consent
to introduce resolution .insructing the Commit
tee on Roads and Canals to report without delay,
making appropriations for the Improvement o!
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Objected to.
Mr. ALBERSTON, moving suspension OF
the rules for the introduction of the above resolu-
lion, he was informed by the Speaker that the mo-
ton was not in order.
Mr.. STRONG called for the regular order,
which was reports from committees.
Mr. r. w. JOHNSON expressed the hope
that such reports would be received, as tEey mad
not been during the session.
Mr.. Pc TTER moved to go into Committee OF
tie Whole on the special order. Carried
CHEAP POSTAGE BILL.
Mr.. BURT, chairman in Committee Of the
Whole, stated that the question was upon the
amendm ent proposed by Mr.. Fowler to the pro
posed amendment OF Mr.. CaRrrER to the bill
reported by the Committee on Post Offices and
Post Roads.
The report of the committee proposed uni
form rate Of three cents on prepaid letters. Mr.
CARTER had moved an amendment proposing
to strike out three and insert FIVE. Mr.. FOWLER
had pro opposed an amendment to the amendment
striking out FIVE and inserting two.
MIR. C. II. WILLIAMS addressed the COM
mtiee in favor of the uniform prepaid rate Of five
cents, believing that its adoption would so slmph-
fy the keeping Of accounts at post Offices, as to
reduce expenses Of carrying on the Department to
one million Of dollars. He would vote against
any proposition to reduce rates to five cents unless
prepaid, because satisfied that without provision
for prepayment, the Department would not sus-
tain itself without deprving his portion OF the
country of present facilities.
The question was then put upon the amend
ment making uniform prepaid rate of two cents,
and it was rejected. Ayes ST. noes 80.
Mr.CARTTER'S amendment for uni'o pre-
paid rate Of five cents was then disagreed to.
Mr.. SACKETT proposed the following amend
ment:
'.Upon each letter not weighing onehalf
ounce, carried not more than FIVE hundred miles,
two cents; upon each such letter carried more
than i've hundred and not more than one thou
sand miles, three cents; upon each such letter car
ried over one thousand and not overtwo thousand
miles, FIVE cents; and upon each such letter carried
over two thousand miles, ten cents; upon every
letter Of greater weight than one-half ounce. there
shall be charged for every additional half ounce
or fraction thereof, the same amount as for the
first half ounce"
Mr.. POT Err said he should be willing to vote
for distinctions in rates, ii the gentleman from
New York would demonstrate TO him the addi-
tional cost Of carrying letter one thousand miles
over what it would for five hundred. 1t might
possibly cost one mill more. The mailing and
delivery of letters was the principal difficulty
Mr.. SACKETT'S amendment was negatived.
Mr.. VlNTON proposed an amendment strik-
rg out FIVE cents upon unpaid letters, so as to re-
quire prepayment in all cases.
Mr. VINTON said that the operation Of the
feature of prepayment not,speculative. IL had
worked well in England, and would here 1t
would so simplify accounts to great ex-
pense, and would work no Inconvenience TO BUSH
ness men. because they would provide themselves
with stamps. Mr.. v. stated that he should go for
the prepayment of letters addressed to members
r L IL L..
had devoted FIVE years of his congressional life to
other peoples business, when they should have
been given to the consideration of more important
matters.
Mr.. +. T.. MCLEAN would reverse Mr.. y,s-
TONS proposition relating to the correspondence
Of members with the people. He called upon the
Wing side of the House to support the plan Of
the administration. Enough votes could be OBJ
tanned on the other side of the House to ensure
it's passage. The people of the rural districts
were in favor Of reduction of rates of postage
Mr.. Mel. wss understood to be opposed to the
franking privilege, saying that there was no rem
son why one portion of the community should be
taxed for The payment Of the postage of another.
Mr.. VINTON s amendment was negrtived.
Mr.. DUER proposed to amend the bill so to
make prepaid postage two and a-half cents after
July, 1852.
MIR. DUER gave as the reason for this amend
ment, the proposition for the coinage of quarter
dime. It could not be coined and passed into
general circulation previous to July, 1859. Mr.
d. alluded tn his views Of yesterday, showing the
necessity Of the proposed coin, as fractional part
Of dimes and half dimes, in order that the FEEDER
nj money can be adopted to scales OF prices, and
drive six and twelve cent pieces from circulation
Mr.. w. J.. BROWN had read those views with
interest, but thought that years would elnpse be-
fore tho coin would obtain general circulation
He h, Id in hand the new three cent coin. Il was
40 light, TINT II might he blown away.
Mr. DUER'S nmcf dnent was negatived.
Mr.. CROWELL proposed an amendment to
the bill, reported by the committee, making let
tiers and printed matter, conveyed between the At
lantic and Pacific ports, pay double rites.
Mr., CROWELL thought the proposition OF