The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-02-16
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xxxvlth coNGREss-lst SESSION.
wAsHrssros February is.

tho Committee to testify, and bring them be
fore the Senate to answer for contempt.
Mr.. Hale said he would vote against ii
He believed there was no power in the Senat,
to compel the attendance Of these men.
The resolution was adopted-Yeas 46
nays A.
Those voting in the negative were Messrs
Bingham, Hale, Sumner, and Toombs.
Messrs. Seward and King bothsxoted affirm
atively.
Various reports, petitions, and bills of 0
| private character were presented.
On motion of Mr.. Grimes, Mr.. Davis's res.
olutions were made the spscial order Of Mon
day next. s8 Wf a
Mr.. Hunter moved to postpone prior orders
and take up the Postofice Deficiency Bill.
Carried. e.st herp g.yg
The House having refused to confer in the
amendments, the Senate having abolished the
franking privilege, Mr.. Hunter moved that
the Senate recede from the amendments. He
was unwilling to force legislation on the other
House. The motion was agreed to--Yeas AZ;
nays IL. a q
Mr.. Toombs msved to reconsider. He was
opposed to the Senate receding. In the de-
bate in the House strong opposition was ex-
pressed adverse to the franking privilege, but
they were opposed to legislation being inoor-
porated in the Appropriation Bill now. In
this bill there was no general legislation. The
amendment regulating the printing Of blanks
effected radical change in the existing laws;
therefore, he wished reconsideration. Tho
motion to reconsider was lost Yeas IA; nays
AZ.
Mr.. Gwin now asked the Senate to proceed
to the consideration Of tho bill 10 abolish the
frsnking privilege. Agreed to.
The first amendment by tho Committee on
Postofioes and Post-roads was that the law
abolishing the franking privilege should no.
apply to those whom it was granted by name.
Mr.. Gwiu moved an amendment that during
tho session of Congress, and for thirty days
before the meeting and thirty days after the
adjournment, the President, Vice-Preadent
and heads Of Departments, and members of
Congress, should be allowed to send free mail
matter not over two ounces in weight
Mr.. Mason opposed the amendment.
Mr.. Doolittle wanted to relieve the Pcstoffice
Department Of tho heavy business imposed
upon 1t.
Mr.. Hamlin moved to strike out all the bill
except tho few lines abolishing the franking
privilege. He wanted TO abolish the system
in toto. tr..<
Mr.. Pugh was in favor of striking out en-
tirely the Federal Government, which expends
more than all tho States. The enormous
amount, if raised by direct taxation, would
not be borne moment. If the Government
expended only ten millions, we would never
hear Of an irrepressible conflict. It was merely
conflict of the spols. Franking was merely
the Government paying tho postage of msm-
bers Of Congress.
Mr.. Simmons would stop printing books.
That overloads the mails.
Mr.. Davis thought it might be we'll not to
take the franking privilege from the Ex- Pres
idents or their widows.
Mr.. Wigfall explained that tho bill, II not
amended, effected this.
Mr.. Hamlins motion was carried.
Mr.. Mason moved to add, that hereafter
nothing passed free by mail. Carried.
Mr.. Powell moved to amend, that persons
now entitled to the Thanking privilege be ex-
cused from prepayment, to take effect on the
18th Of April.
Mr.. Iverson opposed this.
Mr.. Clay wanted to get rid Of letters Of no
consequence. He had received notices of
patent medicines, abolition documents, go.
Mr.. Brown was in favor Of total abolition or
nothing.
Mr.. Hamlin objected to the amendment Of
the Senator from Kentucky.
Mr.. Powell withdrew his amendment, except
as to the time for it to take effect, (April 15,)
which was agreed to.
Mr.. Doolittle's amendment was rejected.
The question recurring on the amendment
Of the committee, Mr.. Hamlin moved to strike
out the proviso in relation to whom the priv
iIoge is granted.
Mr.. Benjamin said that Mrs. Polk was given
the privilege as o compliment.
Mr.. Hamlin proceeded TO withdraw his
motion, if she was the only person named.
Mr.. Cameron thought they had better strike
all out.
The amendment was then rejected.
Mr.. Powell moved to amend the substitute
Of the Committee 80 that the law take effect
on the 10th Of April. Agreed to.
The substitute Of the postofiice was then
agreed to.
Mr.. Mason moved that hereafter nothing
pass free in the mails.
Mr.. Cameron moved as an amendment, ex-
cspt newspapers.
Mr.. Seward suggested to except newspapers
az is now done by law.
Mr.. Cameron agree to this.
Mr.. Clay thought 1t would only tend TO give
increased circulation to the New YORK Tribune
and Herald, which would not do much to i'm
prove the morals Of tho country.
Mr.. Crittenden moved to adjourn. Lost.
Mr.. Mason withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. Trumbull moved as o new section, that
publishers Of newspapers be allowed to print
on the same. the date Of subscription. Re-
jeoted.
The bill was read third time aud passed,
only two members voting against it, Messrs.
Hemphll and Wilkinson, and ifty-three in
favor Of it. '4...
Mr.. Brown offered resolution that COM
mittee be appointed on the Inauguration Of the
Washington statue. Objected to. Adjourned.
HOUSE-Mr. Adams, of KY, presented
the petition of the delegate from Jefferson,
and the memorial of the Provisional Govern.
meut from that Territory, asking that he be
recognized as such. Also memorial author
ising the inhabitants thereof to call conven-
ton and form constitution preliminary TO
admission into the Union. Referred to tho
Committee on Territories.
There was call Of tho House preliminary
to taking vote for Printer. Mr.. Wilson
moved to postpone the matter until tomorrow.
Mr.. Bocook had heard several gentlemen say
that an election was to take place to-day.
He wished to know whether that agreement
was only on one side.
Mr.. Sherman and Mr.. BarksdaIe severally
said that it was the general understanding.
Mr.. Wilson's motion was then disagreed to-.
The House then proceeded to vote Whole
number Of votes ISL; necessary to choice 81;