The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-18
ounce in weight, upon official or depart

ounce In weight, upon ohciai OF uepa'r
InasmI,ch az no one but the writer and
the person addressed is likely TO Know
the contents OF a letter. II VIII readily
be seen that practically the only limit
to the exercise OF the prNliege Is 10 os
found In the limit or one ounce. This
limit will prevent the old abuse OF MEM
bers sending their so.led linen home TO be
washed. or OF following the examples set
by the members OF the GeoioslcaJ survey
in shipping tons of rock as well as sad
dies, brides, and camp equpage as mail
matter.
The ranking privilege had it's origin in
England in the reign OF Charles H.. and
was adopted in this country without much
question. 49,
Under the statute of 1872 members
OF the Senate and House OF representa-
tlves and the secretary oil the Senate and
clerk OF the House had the privilege Of
receiving and sending free by post letters
and papers not exceeding two ounces IN
weight. This statute, having been limited
In It's provisions 10 per.od or two years,
was re-enacted in 1894 and again in 1893,
the last time without limit as 10 weight.
In 1875 the lint OF TWO ounces was
placed on all matter 10 DE sent under
frank by senator's ana representatives.,
and they were confined In their exercise
OF the privilege to sixty days before
and after the session. In $50 the charge
for any excess IN the "elsnt OF matter
received by a member OF congress was
House OF which he was member IN
1873 the ranking privilege was abolished
entirely, and all matter sent thrOush tne
mail By members Of Congress was mace
chargeable with the same rates OF post
acc &C tbat sent by or to other persons,
and in 1874 a rate or ~ cents TOT each
bound volume Of pubic documents vas
established, and for uhoounu " sdihe
rate as on newspapers IndiIeu lIouh lio
DI,brshere but the next year II was
provided that the Congressman RECORD.
or any part Of it. or speeches OF ItYoI.s
contained In Il, might be sent Tree un i1e
frank Of the member on c,,,s,,t ver
bv him" and all public documents were
allowed To he sent free under the same
condftions In 1891 the privilege was gwen
meubers Of Congress ana HeillDs, IN. "a
OF sending under frank leIltIs 10 wv oil.
GERS of the Government Whcn addressed
Within the past year it has become the
orartice 70 have the frank OF a hleIhutI
OF Congress printed on enNelopra' 0 o,c
durine, tb4 late Campaign there was ON
- Cor i've millions OF such envelopes;
The campaign committees. both haupl1ss
and State utilized the loillhE Io oi,,9 V
the two Houses Of Congress loI ~ It.a.,i,
tbotr documents. which are sent dfeCtIy
$50, Tho printing office 10 the lplu -
room and from the folding room 10 ne
various campaign comm Itefts lo' cut
tribution. In this way "a Sln77ie .,e,,,
talree documents from me lolhi'6 i"-i
-. .bo National Committee, thence 10 lue
state l1 Committee thence to a county con- ON,
mittee. or TO an Individual wv ~,
s a local 'T Postoee to the persons for
whom til they are ultimately Intended d me
law allows each representative ana H sens-
u ~, and now that the members are
10 longer required 10 pay postage TINS
s s,1 VIII viii represent so much. addition to
iheir salaries The average dal% PoS 49,,
bin Of a senator would DE "po"' M
cents.