The daily union., 1852-03-09

porance There certainly great deal contained in
that tabular statement which il seemed 10 him was en-
tTey useless and, the other hand there were some
statements which have been omitted that ought TO have
been made. Il was matter, howeVerS Tor eonsldera.
uon and he knew OF no better mode Than by re-
ierrng the plan TO select committee, so that they might
know, when the question TO print came up IN what form
to send these returns returns 10 the world before they de-
termlned 10 print them.
Mr. BADGER hoped the resolution would be laid
over.
So the resolution lies
CHEAP OCEAN POSTAGE.
Mr. SUMNER submitted The following resolution for
consideration
Resotusd That the Committee on Naval Aaairs while
considering the nan and extent of aid 10 be grant
ed the steamers, be directed inquire whether
unnecessarily large and bnrdensome foreign
respondence and whether something may not be done
and If what 10 secure the great boon Of cheap ocean
postage
Mr. s. asked the immediate consideration of the reso-
luton.
No objection being made. the resolution was con.
sidered
Mr.. SUMNER then said The Committee on Naval
Affairs is charged with the responsibility, as understand
OF shaping some measure by which the relations be-
tween the government and the steamers will be
defined and since special nducement TO these rea-
TONS involving the bounty now enjoyed and also further
solicited. the carrying OF letters. trust that the com
mittee will be willing 10 undertake inquiry into the
pracicabty OF some reduction OF the postage foreign
correspondence know that by the postage act OF 1884,
the Postmaster, by with the advice OF the President is
authorized from time 10 time TO diminish the postage
all maabe matter between the United States and foreign
countries But the existence of this power in the Post
master under act OF Congress- cannot render improper
for the committee now Immediately in connexion with
this matter to give TO il their special considerations with
view 10 some practical action or at least recommends
ton thereon.
Sir, the question is one of peculiar interest nor do
know OF any measure easily accomplished which prom
ises to be SO benefcent cheap ocean postage. The
argument io seems to me to be as bre as at the same
nd do
sire TO say one word.
letter be carried 5000 miles in the United States
for three cents but the for cheap postage
land equally applicable to the ocean In point of
fact, the conveyance of letters by sailing steam
packets may be carried out for less cost than the
conveyance by railways. Besides cheap post
age would tend TO supersede the clandesne illicit
conveyance OF letters, and to draw into the mail all mail
able matter, which is now often ntrusted TO the pockets
OF passengers, or the boxes and bales OF merchants With
every facility OF correspondence there is naturally
new expansion OF human nercourse and there is
10 beeve-indeed, well founded reason to believe-lhat
with the increased number of letters cheap ocean post
age would be self supported.
Further cheap postal communication with foreign
countries would be OF ncalculable Importance TO the
merce OF the United States And, again, by promoting
the intercourse OF families and friends, separated by
the ocean, cheap postage would add TO the sum OF human
happiness The present high rates OF ocean postage
namely, "a cents on letter weighing half ounce, AS
cents on one weighing an ounce, and 80 cents on one
weighing FRACTION more than an ounce-are severe tax
upon ALL budensome especially upon the poor amount
ing in many absolute prohibiton of all foreign
correspondence This should not be- II particularly be-
comes cur country, by the removal of all unnecessary
sans upon foreign correspondence to advance the
fort OF European emigIants now making home among
us, and TO destroy far practicable every barrier
free intercourse between the Old World and the New
And, lastly, cheap postage will be new bond OF peace
among nations, and will extend good will among
Such, sir, in Brief TO be the for which
this measure is commendabe. Much as rejoice in the
American steamers, which now vindicate for peace
ful supremacy OF the seas and help to golden
tissue between the two hemisphere. cannot consider
these with all Their unquesllonabe advantages an equiv
alent for cheap ocean postage But sir do not regard
one as inconsistent with the other, and hope both may
happily prosper together. hope the resolution, which
one simply OF inquiry will be adopted.
MIR. RUSK | have objection TO the passage OF the
resolution but involves an inquiry the part Of the
Committee on Naval Affairs which do not think they
established by treaty between England and this
try. They regulated by treaty articles With regard
TO the enormous rates to which the senator from Aassa-
chuses audes they were reduced by the last Congress
on one half which all that could do because we
could not interfere with the treaty stipuations.
Mr.. SUMNER. The resolution is, in the first place,
simply OF inquiry and it is directed TO the committee
which, after some reflection upon the subject seemed 10
me- under the circumstances at the present moment the
For the that that committee, have already
stated is specially charged with review OF the relations
between the government OF the country and the ocean
steam packets with view TO modification OF them,
putting them different footing, giving them in
creased power Now desire that the committee having
that subject in charge should, at some time, consider
Oy OF OnerWlst, tney may not
do something TO promote cheap ocean postage II the
committee taking the subject into consideration, do
not feel able 10 do anything IN that direction, then, sir
this inquiry so lar as they are concerned ends and
mains 10 be whether there is any other committee TO
take charge Of it, will state, however, that before Of
ferng the resolution consulted at least two OF that
mee, and understood that it would not be unaccept-
able.
Mr. GWlN. The senator from Massachusetts named
the subject TO but was very much engaged al the
time, and did not the bearing OF IL as do
think now IL should go 10 the Committee the Post
Office and Post Roads | think the Naval Committee
will discharge themselves OF this whole subject Of
steamers IN a few days.
Mr. BADGER DO not see why, il this subject should
come before The Committee Naval Affairs, il is not
proper TO be considered by any other committee Perhaps
the best way will be TO let the resolution lie till to-
and the senator from Massachusetts, can the
mean time, consider what committee he would like 10
have IL submitted 10.
Mr. DAVIS. hope my colleague will consent that it
should be referred 10 the Committee on the Post Office
and Post Roads That is really the appropriate commit
tee TO consider the subject do not know exactly what
the resolution is but my colleague will perceive that
change can be made in the postal arrangements by
cannot diminish il very we'll in this country, unless
there IL agreement the other side 10 accede 10
that dimnuiIon because il would derange the whole sys
TEN and therefore il would be for the committee to
consider whether any measures should be taken through
the executive branch of the government TO effect such an
object
MIR. SUMNER All that | had in view when I offered
the resolution was that any reduction OF post
age depended al imately upon the treaty spulaons be-
tween this and other countries had supposed, however,
that the committee in this body having that subject in
hand might al least make some recommendation which
would promote that object But perhaps il will facil
ate the decision Of the matter il the resolution IL read
order that fha ms fnlly