The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-14

Mr.. STANTON replied thai the manuserip, in
The hands OF the printer.
Inc amendment was adopted, aud The resolution
passed
THE posr oFFIoE DKPARTMERT.
Mi. GREY asked leave to offer resolution request
ing me POSTMASTER General to furnish 10 the House copies
OF al orders rules and regulations adopted BY hun de-
syng 10 members OF the Committee the Post Office aud
pos Roads The privilege OF going into the OF the
department during office hours and then and there ex
aiming the public records OF The department. and fur
Their, that the Postmaster General be directed 10 abolish
all orders and regulations which prevent and deny 10
members OF mat committee such privilege.
MI PHELPS objected TO The reception OF the resolu
ton.
Mr.. GREY, however obtained the consent OF the
House 10 make an explanation. He said that a resolu.
lion had been adopted calling for information in relation
TO the carrying OF the mail between Mobile and Mont.
gomeTy but as the reply OF the Postmaster General was
contradictory he went 10 the department 10 ascertain how
II was He there stated that he thought there was mis-
take in the report But he denied such an invest.
CATION or examination as was necessary enable him TO
discharge his duty member OF the Committee on
the Post Ohics and Post Roads. He then addressed a
letter TO the Postmaster General but received answer to
~ and, therefore, he was constrained to come before the
House for their interference By tho original contract
the mail was carried between Montgomery and Mobile
for $5e,l75, in ffty-eght hours; but there now paid
for the same service 100000, and the mail goes through
In fifty nine hours or one hour longer time.
MIR. PHELPS repeated his objection to the introduc-
ton oil the resolution.
Mr.. GREY asked, as it impossible for him to in
vesgate the facts TO be discharged from further service
on The Conmitee on the Post Office and Post Roads
Mr.. HARRIS, of Alabama, said he was prepared to
meet every objection to the present contract and wanted
Mr.. PHELPS said he objected TO the resolution be.
cause he considered the regulations TO be right
Mr. OLDS was willing that the resolution should be
referred TO the Committee on the Post Office and Post
Roads but
The objection not Withdrawn
Mr.. GREY was then discharged from service as a MEM
Der OF that commitiee-ayes Sc, noes 81.
The SPEAKER thereupon appointed Mr. JONES' of
Louisiana. 10 fill the vacancy occasioned thereby
Mr. ODS, on leave, reported, from the Committee on
the Post Office and Post Roads, bill to amend the act
passed in 1851 entitled "An act to reduce and modify
the postage OF the United States"
The bill read Ii proposes increase the rate of
postage all letters under half an ounce TO five cents
for any distance under 5000 miles, and to cents be-
yond that distance II also provided that the rates
be applied to postage, except where treaties with
foreign governments would prevent.
Mr. o. said the committee had instructed him 10 report
that bill because they had concluded that they must
either abandon The idea Of making the Post Office self
sustaining department and make it chargeabIe on the
treasury or so raise the postage TO make the income
equal TO the expenditure There was deficit of over
millions OF dollars in that department. and the result
was that when gentleman from the western southern
States applied 10 the Postmaster General for increased ia
ces in The rural DISTRICTS they received the reply that
there were no funds for the purpose He called upon the
House either 10 raise the postage TO make the Post
Office charge upon the treasury, same as the army
and navy, and then the Postmaster General would un-
dersand that he could increase the facilities the rural
Districts irrespective OF the income of the department.
Mr. FLORENCE wanted 10 be convinced that in
OF the department II the gentleman could convince hm
OF that, and that IL was good policy, he would support
the bill but be did not expect 10 be convinced.
Mr. OLDS said that he feared the old adage-
He ihai's convinced against his will
Is Of the same opinion slip
would apply 10 his friend from Pennsy MIR FLoRs
ENcE) He then proceeded TO show, that under the
higher rates of postage much larger amount had been
received and contended that statistics showed that FIVE
and ten cent postage the revenue point.
The bill proposed to do away with all unpaid letters,
stamps; the reason OF which was that by using stamps
they would greatly simplify the accounts OF the Post
Ofce and have better check upon deputy posmasters
II provided that the bill should come into operation on
January fusi,ls55, giving time for the country post
Offices TO become supplied with new stamps for the par
Mr. SHELTON asked tina, the consideration of the
bill be postponed 10 day certain.
Mr. OLDS, IN order TO keep the bill before the House,
moved that II be recommitted 10 the Committee the
Post Office and Post Roads
blr WENTWORTH, Of Illinois, opposed to the
poslponement.
MIR oLDS explained that, with regard TO the news.
papers, the last section proposed TO repeal much of the
present law as made reduction of fifty per cent for
postage paid advance He calculated that the passage
oil this bill would increase the revenue OF the department
two and halt millions annually.
Mr. CHANDLER said he wished 10 reply 10 the re-
marks OF the chairman OF toe Committee on the Post
Office and Post Roads, [Mr OLpsl bu, as it was likely
that this bill TO come up again, with the understand
ing that he would have the door on the subject, he would
defer his remarks
was postponed until this day four weeks, and ordered
he printed.
hT. STANTON, q Tennessee. on leave, introduced
bill to modify the judicial system OF The United States
which referred 10 the Committee the Judiciary,
and ordered TO be printed.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The House then went into Committee OF the Whole,
and proceeded (Mr FULLER IN the chair 10 The con-
sderation OF the special oderbeng Mr. CoBBs bill for
reducing and graduating the price OF public lands.
The various amendments to the bill were debated
der the hve-mnU,es rule, and several adoped Il
when the committee rose, and
Mr.. FULLER reported the bill and amendments to the
House
The amendments passed.
The bill, amended, provides that the price OF The
public lands shall be regulated according to the following
be subject TO sale al the price OF dollar per
fifteen years and upwards sevcny-hvs cents per acre
twenty years and upwards fifty per acre twenty
five years and upwards twenty-five cents per and
thirty years more, twelve and bali cents per acre
provided that this section shall be rued
extend 10 lands reserved TO The United States grant
ing lands 10 STATES for railroad other internal improve
menis, TO mineral lands held 81 IS ger The
bill provides that nothing in The all be so construed
interfere with any tight which has may by
virtue OF gny act granting pre-emrton TO actual settlers
on public lands
Mr.. BRIDGES moved 70 lay The bin on The table
The question was iaken--ycas e6, nays 90; so the
House refused 10 lay the bill on the table.
Pending toe question the engr0ssment, The House
adjourned, a. O'clock
PsrIrioys gro,