Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-04-23
THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE
We have often been amused at the truth
contained in that doggerel of Brete Harte

contained in that doggerel of Brete Harte :;
"For the ways that are dark
And the tricks that are vain,
Is the heather Chinee,"
and we are equally amused at the scrupu-
lous nicely of ingenuity as is brought into
execution by our modern Congressman.
1t will be remembered that only few
years ago, Members of Congress, actuated by
a proper appreciation of economy in the OPP
Grafton of governmental functions, or thei r
desire to increase their popularity at home,
abolished the franking privilege. 1t seems,
however, that they have never been con-
tented with the adjustment of this priv-
lege, and have from time to time, in obed-
ence TO an overwhelming popular clamor,
voted to repeal Il.
-Four years ago attempts were made 10 re-
store the system as a whole, but there were
not enough Congressman who We're sufli-
GENTLY brave TO go on record in favor Of the
entire restoration, and il was decided TO at
tempt a revival Of the privilege. This was
done by the passage Of law authorizing
the ranking Of public documents through
the mail. This very liberal provision was
right and proper, it removed heavy burden
from members in the distribution of public
documents which are printed for the public
But up to this period there has been no way
in which Congressman could avoid paying
postage upon their private correspondence
or upon correspondence addressed to them
by the constituents, upon business RELAXING
not to the Congressman themselves, but tC
the interest Of the constituents. The only
contingent appropriation which Members o
Congress can in any way use for ilat pur
pose is the sum OF one hundred and twenty
five dollars voted qt each session to eacl
member for stationery, &c,
BY an exceedingly ingenious construction
Of the law relative 10 the ffanked envelopes
used by the several departments, they have
to some extent removed the hardships i'm
posed by the repeal Of the ranking priyi
I lege, aud il has been decided that Congress
men can obtain from the government printer
through the departments, what are termed
penalty envelopes" which cary the con
tents free, subject TO penalty Of sun fol
misuse. These penalty envelopes, accord
ing "a ibe decision Of the authorities, ma,
be used by Congressman in answer TO any
letters relative TO mates IN the respective
departments. This comprises the egcet bull
of the correspondence OF Congrossmen. l3u
how fsF ibe Legitimate object anticipated b,
the law giving to the departments thes,
penalty envelopes will Dc observed b.
Members Of Congressman is perhap, 9Ues
ton which viii disturb, TO some extent, IN
elasticity u congressional conscience.
We think that Congress should have me
this question fairly and squaIely snd no
have taken advantage Of what was eyiden,l
passed and only intended for the several Dc
partmenis A large amount Of departments
business throughout the country Is tran.
acted through the Representatives In Con
grcss, persons haying such business thinking
that The same cap ~ more readily transacte,
4 through their members, cue y y coiiaigly
ycfy unjust imposition 70 iaz momber viii
this cost aBd Troy should have had ih,
courage 10 have restored 30 privilege q
this extent and not stoop " take sdyapisgC
Of construction OF law which, II not wF0ng
certainly was never anticipated and must
therefore be a violation Of IL true spirit