New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-01-28


A CLEAN SWEEP EFFFcrED-THE OLD ABUSE
COMPLETELY ANNIHILATED-TEXT OF THE
BILL.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSE.I
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-The bill repeating the
ranking privilege passed the House, to-day, as
amended by the Senate by the overwhelming vote
AZ 142 Yeas to IS Nays 1t works a total repeal of
franking in all its multifarous forms, after the LIST
day Of July next. Not only Congressman, but the
President Cabinet Ministers and Department Off
,as of every grade WILL after that date be obliged
20 mt stamps on their letters like other people No
nrovision is made by the bill for the free trans
mission of public documents official COM
mnnications The entire ranking abuse
"a in short, TO be plucked up by
che roots This result is signal triumph of public
oppIon. The people and not Congress believe
that the privilege ought not TO be continued. A
large majority Of Congressman would like to go on
writing their names with NJ c. across their letters
and thew abandoned this much priced perquisite of
their office only in obedience TO an unmistakable
popular demand. The bill originally passed the
House last June, shortly after the Philadelphia Con-
yeption more as a piece of political clap-trap than
with view to it's ever becoming law. 1t provided
for a modification rather than abolition of
the abuse. Stamping machines were to be used, UNI
der certain restrictions, 10 frank public documents
for members of Congress and official communica-
tions for the Departments. The Senate, which had
treated all former bills on the subject with
tempt, surprised the House, last week, by passing
this with amendments making complete sweep of
The privilege. To-day, Mr.. Farnsworth moved TO
suspend the rules in order TO take the bill
from the Speakers table and concur in the
Senate's amendments. Messrs. Conger and DON
nan insisted on offering amendments, which, if
adopted, would have sent the bill back to the
Senate, and probably defeated it for this session.
Mr. Farnsworth refused TO yield for these amend
ments and insisted on a direct vote. The Yeas and
NAYS were called amid considerable good-humored
excitement. The small negative vote of As came
chiefly from members of little note, who undOubt-
edly set high value the ranking privilege as
almost the only means they have of keeping their
constituents from forgetting them. The following
is the bill, as passed:
Bel enacted &C., That the ranking privilege he, and
the hereby abolished from and after the hrst or
July A. d. 1873 and that thenceforth all official CORE
spondence OF whatever nature and other maable mat
sent from addressed 70 any officer OF the Govern
shall be chargeable with the rates OF postage
may be lawfully imposed upon like matter sent by or adj
dressed TO other persons.
The efforts of the PostmaSter-General have IN
questiQnably done much to accomplish the success of
the bill He has been indefatigable in his labOrs to
remedy what he believed to be crying evil, and his
reiterated recommendations for the abolition Of the
ranking abuse backed up by statistics of its mag
nitude and cost, have greatly enlightened public
opinion on the subject. He has been earnestly
seconded by Senators Ramsey, Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Post-Ofices and POst-Roads,
and by Gen. Farnsworth and his associates of the
House Committee.