Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-09-12
Death OF the "Father of Cheap
Postage' mt Boonton, N. J.,
July cath, 1884,

congressman John Hill, who will be
remembered as the Father OF the Cheap
Postage bill, died at his home in Boonton,
Morris county, N. j., July 24rh, at the
age Of Ga. lie was born in Catskill N. Y,
in 1921, and in about 1874 he settled In
Buunton, aud was elected from there to the
State Assembly in 1861 '62, and again IN
1866. During the latter term he served
as Speaker af the House. He was elected
toNe Fortieth. Forty-6rst, and Forty
second Congress, his last term ending 1883.
lie WAS freqeun,ly mentioned; in connection
with the Republican Gubernatorial nom
ination in New Jersey, and was considered
the foremost Republican in the State.
MIR. Hill was interested in The postal re-
form aud the question OF reducing postage
for many wears, and about sixteen years
ago, when he first entered Congress, he in
,roInced hill To abolish the franking
privilege, aud after two years or more of
hard work it was accomplished. About
the same time he introduced the one cent
postal card bill, and after two years or
more il was passed, against much opposi
tion. In hia remarks on those bills ut that
time, in April, 1872, he advocated re-
ducliOn in letter postage, considering the
abolition of the frnnking privilege aud
adopting the one-cent postal card the
| stepping stone to reduction IN letter po,
tage. After the organization Of the House
in December, 1881, he introduced his two
cent bill, which was referred TO the Post
Office aud Post Road Committee, who de.
layed reporting 1t to the House during the
first session. lie called the attention OF
the House to the bill, made several speech.
es ON the subject, and made every effort to
get il before the House for consideration,
In November, 1882, he went to Washing
ton to zee Postmaster General Howe and
brought the matter before him. He also
called on the President in regard to the
matter, and found him favorably disposed
toward the measure, and in his me essage
| to Congress a few weeks later he recon-
mended the reduction of the letter postage.
Shortly after the meeting Of Congress III
December Mr.. Hill saw the chairman oil
the Subcommittee OF the Appropriation
Committee Oh the Post Office Appropria-
lion bill On Wednesday morning, after
the third day, the latter offered res
olntion a.king permission of the house to
place the two-cent postage stamp meas
| ure IN the Post Office Appropriation Bill,
which was granted. and ON the next day
the Post Office Appropriation Bill was re
ported from the Committee in the House,
printed and brought before The House III Il
few days for consideration. A great many
amendments to it were offered, but after a
long and tedious fight over this clause, il
passed, and finally the whole bill passed
and, after long and bitter opposition in
the Senate, passed that body ON Friday,
the day after the report Of the Post Office
Appropriation Bill TO the Honse contain
ing the two-cent postage clause. Mr.. Hill
received many letters thanking HIM for his
interest in the matter, and also from asso
Citations aud public bodies with resolutions
OF thanks.