The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-24
P9IyHEGED QUESTIONS LAST YEAR AND THIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

tionary conduct OF MIR. GroW ana MS coadJutors
Dosr the close of the last Congress to defeat the
rostal appropriation bill. We believed that Mfr.
Crows spasms, on account of the alleged invasion
nv the Senate Of the constitutional rights of the
Uouse. were all moonshine. The amendment of the
former body increasing the rates of inland postage
to five cents was the offence complained of. The
Hause. under Mr.. Crows leadership, when this
amendment to the postal appropriation bill came to
them after waiting q convenient season, became
suddenly aroused TO a sense of offended dignity, and
nroceeded in vindication of their constitutional
rights 10 smother their own offspring. They had
TO them with am amendment increasing the rates of
hostage. They did not strike out the amendment,
and thus assert and maintain their right to originate
all revenue measures -their ideas of dignity re-
ouired them to kill their own bill. They could vindi-
cate their privileges only by striking down an inn
portant arm of the public service.
On the 10th Of June, 1889, the Post Office appro-
priation bill being under consideration in the Sen
ate
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, submitted an amendment
;creasing the rates of letter postage to five cents for any
distance under three thousand miles, and ten cents for
any distance over three thousand miles; which WAS
agreed to-ycas 10, nays l5-as follows
YRAs-Messrs. Benjamin, Bright, Broderiok, Brown Clay, Cling.
man, Davis, Fitch Gstn, Hunter, johnson Of Arkans.s, johnson o.
tennessee, 9, s wnIss, e"''' i"N' '~N' " ~
s~AYs-Messrs; BsisTr, ch 1dh as Slars, poolat's s, poasl Wn.a ae's e.
Trsht-ib.
The bill thus amended was sent 10 the honse-ihe
same House, and under the same organization as that
which was 80 indignant at the Senate's amendment,
this year increasing the rates OF postage. we quote
the proceedings OF the House Oh inc iilh Oh June
1858, on Mr.. 'oinsohS proposi''oh
1.-The amendment increasing = raves o. le.et pas.
t tanoa under three thousand miles. and ten cents for any
distance over three thousand miles, WAS reported. Con-
sioe,aoie = y W'rn: Z an,.n 90 .ho, f,r.u
distances within one hundred miles the present rate Of
postage shall remain in force which motion was not
80 T.x,o. of Nav York moved to add a proyiso
that this increase shall only take place in the States where
me postage Is ihsaneleit 70 pny te Apenses VI .no 10
.. The question bling taken, the amendment was TO-
jected-ayes 80, noes &c.
Mr.. Grow and his republican associates were pres
emf, and participated in these proceedings. They
did not then regard their constitutional rights as in
vaded by the Senate. The two amendments last
year and this were the same. They were added in
both cases TO the Postal Appropriation bull. The
Senate was composed Oh the same men lhe mousse
was the same. IL there was an offence committed
THIS year there certainty was iast year but III uutn
it had not become the settled policy OF the repnbh-
cans in June, 1858, to strike Town the public admin
istration. They were not then prepared tor revolt
ton. Their privileges were not then invaded, be-
cause they had not reached the conclusion that 1t
was best to defeat the democratic party by GRIPPING
and para'yzing the government.
The committees OF conference this year between
the two houses discussed in detail the question OF
constitutional law involved IN the Senates amend
ment and the House committee were warned that
They were told that their measure OF vindication was
an act Of suicide that in order TO assert their own
rights, it was only necessary to reject the Senate's
amendment that to kill their own bill beca'lse the
Senate had appended to it an amendment, the subject
matter OF winch they thousht 'he latter pody had
no right 10 actapob' Wouio DC ah acs Oh madness ana
Ioily unworthy Oh q dehoefauVe Dody'
ihe proposition is a pain one that us House mas
tile exclusive risht ahaer tho CONSTITUTION 10 org-
nate revenue measures" There was no pretence
In this case that the Senate could invade the prIvl-
deges of the House upon this point. They weF@ Cons
sldering a House bil they amenSeu o house biii.
but neither the bill nor the amendment bore the
character of a "revenue measure The House
thnuphf en- Iaai WAR and we think IL rauaarluhin