The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-14
House Of Representatives.

WASHINGTON, April 13, 1854.
THE SURVEY OF TIE AMAZON.
The House ordered to be printed 20, 900 additional
copies of Leuts Herndon and Gibbons report of the
vey of the Amazon and its notwithstanding 80 900
copies in all.
RULES IN THE PosT OFFICE
Mr.. GRAY, (whig) of Ky asked leave to introduce a
resolution calling upon the Postmaster General to fur
nish the House copies Of all the rules and regulations
adopted by him, denying members from the Committee
the Post Office the right of going into the rooms
public records and further that the Postmaster
abolish all such regulations lie stated that the report
of the Postmaster General in reply to the resolution
tween Montgomery and Mobile being contradictory, he
went thher to look into all the facts but denied the
privilege. 1t impossible for him TO discharge his
duties without such facilities and he therefore asked to
be discharged as member of the Committee on Post
Roads. Agreed to.
The resolution was referred to the Committee Post
Offices.
NEW POSTAGE Rru-rnerosEo INCREASE IN RATES.
Mr.. OIDs (dem) of Ohio, from the Committee on
Post Offices and Post Roads, reported bill modifying
the rates of postage lie said two weeks ago when
he reported a bill increasing the compensation of
deputy postmasters Ire avowed himself willing to
vote for the increase Of postage He asked the House
now to consider and mature this bill, and either
either abandon the ,tdea Of making the Post Office
Department self. sustaining machine, and throw
1t for support the treasury of the United Staes
If not raise the postage to sustain the department AS
long have neither thing the other the sys
tenn operates injuriousy the rural distrcts-not in
Northern cities, where postage arrangements are per
feet We have annual deficit OF more than two mil
lions OF doars-and what is the consequence gen.
tleman goes from q Western Southern State to the
Postmaster General nd asks increased facilities
post Office, and the answers is There is funds the
Post Office Department is cramped for means; but If
you throw the department on the treasury, you do
the army and the navy, raise the postagcs, you can
be accommodated lie would appeal to the Southern
and Western members to support this BILL He expected
opposition from New York boston Baltimore and other
large cities, becausethe cheap postage system results
benefcialy to the commercial classes His friend from
Pennsylvania said he in favor OF the principle OF the
bill, but could not vote for 1t because 1t would be
against his constituents He hoped however that gen
tlemen would be convinced of the propricty of its
passage.
Mr.. RrrcuE (whig) of Pa. said he should desire the
gentleman TO designate the member from Pennsylvania
Mr.. OIDs replied, 1t was not the gentleman who had
lust taken his seat
Mr. FLORENCE, (dem.) of Pa said hc certainly wanted
postage would be beneficial lie feared that the gentle
man from Ohio would fail TO convince him that this bill
this is just and right and proper, and that his
constituents would be benefited by It, he knew very well
ahat he would vote for IL. Gaughter)
Mr.. OIps-It is m old adagc, Convince against
his will and he's of the same opinion still' suppose
at would be so with my friend from Pennsylvania.
(Iaughter.)
Mr. sKErToy (dem) OF N. j.. asked that the bill be
postponed till certain day It was measure OF too
much importance to be considered at this time.
Mr.. WENTWORTH, (dem.) Of ILL.,, said he tired OF
postponing bills to days certain lie preferred certain
Gays hereafter
Mr. OIDs resumed, arguing that five per cent postage
is the revenue point and this viii sustain the Post Office
Department and add two and half millions annually to
ats revenues The bill proposes to charge five cents
single letters from any distance under three thousand
miles and over that distance ten centpostage in all
to be prepaid with postage stamps This mode of
prepayment will establish perfect check between the
department and the postmasters which does not now
exist The act to into effect next January to enable
the stamps TO be printed meantime and supplied to the
posmasers The next is to alter the postage He
could see for charging twenty cents letter
fhat goes by water, and only three cents when carried
mot exceeding three thousand miles by land
The bill proposes the same rate when II goes wholly or