Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-03-14

passed through the mail at the same price.
That was an injustice which ought to be
remedied, and Temedied in the name OF the
public press, and the metropolitan papers
ought 10 consent 10 it for their own good,
knowing what public opinion is
Mr.. Tyner Of Ind, introduced bill TO relieve
all persons engaged in the military service at
the close Of the late war from the disability Of
desertion on account Of absence without leave.
Mr.. Mellish, Of n. Y, gave notice Of a sub
stitute for the postage bill reducing the rate Of
letter postage to two cents per ounce and the
postage on printed matter to half cent per
two ounces.
Mr.. Albright. OF Penn, spoke in favor Of the
postage bill OF the Committee, showing that
since 1892 certain rights were accorded to the
newspaper press, and that at the time tho
franking privilege was repealed there was no
demand for it so far as relates to the news
papers. He showed the Legislative history upon
this subject, and that in 1S45 the daily press
was accorded this right, as given by the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Townsend, Of Penn, gave notice Of an
amendment to make the free distribution of
weekly newspapers within the county where
published apply to all newspapers in all sec
tons.
Mr. Small, of N. H., presented resolutions Of
the New Hampshire Press Association for the
restoration of the law allowing weekly newspa-
pers free transmission through the mails in the
county Of their publication. Also, resolutions
declaring hostility to any action that may re-
suit directly or indirectly, in the restoration of
the abuses of the franking privilege.
Mr.. Cobb, of Kan. , criticised speech Of Mr.
Phelps, Of New Jersey as to his illusions to the
Changers. He decided that these Changers
meant business; that they were the movable
force Of twenty millions Of freemen; that it
was foolish to array against them the planks of
| the Philadelphia or any other platform, and
that they would have justice inside the Repub-
hcan party if they could, outside it if they
must.
Mr.. Lawrence. Of Ohio. declared himself in
favor of the section of the bill providing for
the free transmission of weekly newspapers.
The same principle which justified the support
of common schools at the public expense also
| justified the free circulation of newspapers and
periodicals within appropriate limits. Common
schools, the press, and the public addresses of
every man were the great moral and political
| instructors of the people. He knew no reason,
however, why documents should be printed at
the expense of all the people and distributed
among few. Mellish, Of N. Y, and Butler,
of Mass, approved the newspaper exemption
I section.
The House resumed the consideration OF the
bill reviVing the franking privilege. Mr.. E.
II. Roberts, of N Y, moved to lay the bill on
the table. Negatiyed-yeas 118, nays 40.
After several attempted amendments the vote
was taken on the final passage of the bill and
it was rejected. Yeas, 1919; nays, 131.
Mr.. Tyner, of Indiana, moved to reconsider
the vote Of the House by which the bill re-
viving the franking privilege WAS rejected, He
said he would call it up when the members
were more generally in their seats, and that
his object was to move to recommit the bill to
the Post-Ofice Committee with instructions to
report back the third section only which relates
to the free circulation of weekly newspapers in
the counties of their publication, and the free
exchange Of newspapers between publishers.