The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-16

ment shall he abolished and thai individuals may be The
sole carriers Of maiable matter throughout the United
States. uGI
Mr. s. said he was constrained TO oppose both the bin
reported from the Committee the Post Office and Post
Roads and the substitute offered by the honorable chair
man of that committee lie opposed them because both
much resembed the existing post Office laws They
both retain the anking privilege for although the sub
stue proposed 10 abolish that privilege being charged
the expense of the Post Office Department it, nevertheless
made IL chargeabe upon the public treasury that
the same thing Members of Congress received many more
letters than they would il the franking privilege
abolished and II necessary for every person pay
the postage letters addressed 10 members the latter
would be relieved of Of letters trivial subjects
whilst persons desrous of obtaining important nor-
nation would write and enclose stamps for the return
every gentleman did when requiring information for his
own advantage. "
With regard to the speeches of honorable gentlemen
he did nosupppose the country would suffer much il those
speeches not distributed but ii would be easy TO sup
ply to each member few hundred dollars worth Of stamps
for the session of such distinctive character would only
serve for the purpose specified and the postage of printed
matter.
Mr. s. on to argue that il was the duty of govern
ment to leave TO the people the conveyance Of their letters
they left TO the conveyance of their other property
lie said the result Of this plan would be to reduce the rates
Of postage short distances TO cent CENTS Se
according TO their weight and the density of the popua-
tlon. ea..g 3.H &f# .8 ~ a .rat @.s
Mr. CHANDLER agreed with the gentleman from New
York in many of his statements but wholly differed from
him in his conclusions He contended that if the people
left to convey their letters the country would be
OF the by
system and the great West would be heavily taxed to OBJ
tain their letters in consequence of great distances He
trusted the honorable chairman of the Committee the Post
Office and Post Roads, after excusng the introduction of
the present BILL would agree to the posponement of the
subject @ n..s
Mr. HAVEN opposed the increase of postage rates. and
read statistics to show that to raise the postage would be
taxing the northern States that amply pay their
postal expenses in order to pay the postage Of southern and
western States, where the distances so great
After remarks from Messrs HOUSTON and VAN
SAINT, s.....aa. aen na.lu
The previous question secondedayes 76, noes not
counted. Pending the question ordering the main
question to be put the morning hour expired
CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC
On motion of Mr.. HOUSTON the House resolved itself
into Committee Of the Whole and proceeded Nlr Orr in
the char to the consideration of the civil and diplomatic
appropriation bill
Mr. HOUSTON said there appropriation in the
bill which provided for by law and therefore he
should not take up the time of the committee in explaining
the numerous items of the bill
The Clerk proceeded read the BILL section by section
Mr. HOUSTON offered sundry amendments, which he
had been instructed offer by the Committee of Ways and
Means. .#on
Mr. McDOUGALL offered an amendment for completing
the survey from the Mississippi California for the
struction Of the Pacific railroad, $4,000
Mr. Med said the survey the South Pass had not been
proceeded with and should be- in order TO have the plans
laid before the House in December next when he supposed
it would be the desire Congress to act integby upon
that subject.
Mr. PHELPS moved TO amend the bill to provide appro-
atons for the salaries of the governors judges, and
other officers of Kansas and Nebraska Territories adopted
Mr. TAYLOR of Ohio moved to amend the bill by pro-
vdng appropriation of $500 for libraries for each of
the Territories including lat the suggestion of Mr. PHELPs
the Territories OF Nebraska and Kansas: adopted
Mr.. PRESTON moved to amend the bill by providing
appropriations for completing the cusomhouses. Under
stood be the the items for this purpose rejected
from the deficiency bill
Mr.. HOUSTON opposed the amendment contending that
had already
plee the customhouses the most approved hreproo
principles. Richmond Virginia exception to this
and the appropriation for the custom-house in that city
the y he expressed himself willing TO vote for
Mr. DISNEY was surprised that the chairman of the
Committee of Ways and Means Mr. HoUsTos should OPP
pose these necessary appropriations lie went TO show
the importance of completing the custom-houses.
Mr. CASKeE spoke in favor of the appropriation for the
custom-house at Richmond, Virginia.
The committee without reporting the bill, and,
AT three O'Clock, the House adjourned.