New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-15
THE ADVANCE In POSTAL RATES.

PIIsHED-SENATOR HAMIIN THE PROPOSER OF
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES or THE COM
MITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS or THE HOUSE
trRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEJ
WASHINGTON, Mach lS.--The question has been
repeatedly asked during the last week, How was
1t possible for Congress to double the rate of postage
on transient newspapers and periodicals without
ye subjects attracting attention at the time y
sWho is responsible for this legislation Y" brief
history Of the action of both Houses on this subject
will answer these questions,
On the 22d of February, the Post-Oftce Approprla-
ton bill being under consideration in the Senate
MIR. Ramsey from the Committee on Post-Offices
ano Post Roads, offered the following amendment
rs an additional section to the bill:
That Section of the act approved June o. 1874 max
Ing appropriations for service OF the PosOfice De
o aea 10 'Of s and Is hereby amended as
follows: Insert the words twelve ounces III neu vi
the words -four pounds"
He said that this had been agreed to unanimously
by the Committee, and explained that it limited the
weight of transient matter of the third class which
might be sent through the mails to twelve ounces
instead of four pounds This amendment was
known to have been inspired by the lobby agents OF
certain great express companies who conn lained
that the mails were seriously interfering with their
business. 1t not at all popular in the Senate
and after sufficient debate was defeated by the FOL
lowing vote:
-
Eat9n, Gold5nwate Hamt M, M 2 aar,mon
tfeIss) Hamlin johnston krs, Thnr
Nays~Messrs Acorn, Allison. Anthony, Boutwell,.
Cameron, Clayton. Cooper, Cragin, Dennis Fiauagau
Freiugauysen H3ger, Harvey Hitchcock, Hove, III
gals, Lewis, Mitchell. Morrill, Nle), MOrrl lEJ MOT
ton Osesby Pcsc, Robertson Sargent. Scott Shermln
Spencer sprague, Upton, WashDurn. West, WINDOW
AnseniMessrs BOgy, BOreman Brow%low CAREER TDsIr
tsr Cha4der EdnGaas' Een19"i rsrIS f RAM
sey Ransom, SchuIz z, and Stewards.
This amendment, it will be seen. was much less
Objectionable than the which finally passed 1t
did not increase the rate of postage on transient
matter, but simply excluded from the mails all
articles weighing more than three-fourths OF a
pound. Had it been adopted, transient newspapers
and periodicals might have been sent through the
mails at the old price, Having been fairly beaten
on a direct VOTE the express companies made no
further attempt to amend the Post Office Appropria
ton bill, but waited until the last night OF the
session. when the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill
was under consideration The following is the com
pete record of what took place in the Senate at that
time
Mr. Hamlin-I have one other smendnent which
offer, TO come in page 30 after the word dollars
IN line 46s That Section o. the act approved June
&C. 1874 making appropriations for the service OF the
Post ONCE Department for the fiscal year ending June
80 1885, and for other purposes, be- and the same is
hereby amended follows: Insert the word ounce
10 lieu OF tho words two ounces"
Mr. sargent-I move to lay tho amendment on the
,SS-..f-,7----~ -
MT Hamlln-I ask the Senator to give me my FIVE
minutes.
Mr. sargep,-I cannot take that away; but the
Senator had resumed his seat
Mr. Bamlu-I was trying TO find memorandum
which mslald will stale what the proposition is
Nh. sargent-of course 1 cannot make the motion
II tho Senator wishes the floor.
IT. lin hio ia
amendment which ef;r and whica is now before the
Senate to replenish Treasury; aud think at
this period Of tme when the revenues Of your Post
Odice Department are running so low, the amendment
which Offer that should commend itself to tae
Judgment of every Senator here. In 1872 We passed
law fixing the rate OF postage upon wuat was called
transient matter OF tho thrd class The question has
been submitted to the Post ce Department in relation
TO change VI that law, and have here an express
recommendation or the PostmssterG soeral in favor OF
tue amendment which submit Ihavea full knowledge
Of this Law. member OF the Post-OIie Commit
tee when the pan OF transmitting other taau Inaiabie
matter proper through the mail Was adopted 1t liked
the rate postage each two ounees III mas been
carried 40 70 four pouRds IL was an experiment DO
Dot seek TO change that experiment. but do seek to
place upon it rate postage which, II the statements
from the Post-Ohc Department be- correct Will give
YOU $1,000 900 of revenues In tho coming year II viii
operate As hardship whatever upon persons whom
we design to benefit by allowing merchandise TO go
through tho mails We support the mail department
proper upon postage at six cents ounce Tnis VIII
stll allow merchandise samples to go through your
malls for one at such low rates that
perssn who to avail himself Of the transmission
of the mails for such purpose Will have reason 20
complain OF our increasing tho rate.
Tho POstmaser-G General tells us IL should be done
Mr. Bangs. whom 1 regard ono OF the very best Off
GERS In that Departmcnthe is careful he understands
his businpss-has made the statement that 10 will
ms s2OlOOOO Of revenue II adopt the udment.
trust the Senator from California viii not To lay
,nch an amendment the table hut will let 10
and he 10 repensh the Treasury; II he does move
houe the senate will vote down the motion.
Mr. sargent-very well i; let us have the vote now
Mr. Vest should like to ask the Senator from Maine
what the IN reference to the charge
puon merchandise conveyed Ia the nails7 II is
eight cents pound and this proposes to make sixteen
cents
Mr. Hanlin-Yes.
AIR West--It 10 always a misfortune and always OBJ
Ictonab TO legsate With reference " statutes upon
ON ammonia ton bill Tue Committee on Appropriations
have examined that subject They have no such IN
formation from the Postmaster @ snersi
Mr. HamlinI have It, and get 1t for the Senator
Mr.. Wes,-Then II mas come In since.
Mr.. HamliD-No. Sir; before.
Mr. West-Tne Senate ought TO be aware that this
"A one OF the very things they voted down when the
lost Office Appropriation bill when 1t came from
different quarter entirely 1t is making the carriage
of merchandise mails Ga cents four pounds In
stead So far as the Committee on Appropriations
were concerned they had such Information.
Mr. Uanlin-I want TO SAY 10 the Senator that there