Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-17
TEE FRAMING PRIVILEGE.
First Adopted Years AgO-The Various
Changes since Then.

The revival of the franking privilege by a
section of the printing bill. which was pub
Hshed I'm full in yesterdays Star, is a mat
ter that Is attracting considerable atten-
ton. Up to 1873 the members of Congress
had the right to the free use of the mails,
snd then the privilege vas abolished
Franking is an English Institution. and
soon after this government was organized
1t was Introduced here.
Under the statute of 1892 members of the
Senate and House of Representatives ard
the secretary of the Senate and clerk CT
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 its provi-
sions to a period of two years, was re-en-
acted in 1874 and again in 1879, the last
time without limit as to weight. In 1S21
the limit Of two ounces was placed on all
matter to be sent under frank by Senators
and Representatives, and they were con-
fled in their execise of the privilege to
sixty days before and after the session. In
1S4J the charge for any excess in the
9eiSht-of matter received by a member OF
Congress was paid out of the contingent
fund of the house of which he was men,
ber
In 1913 the franking privilege was abol-
tshed entirely, and all matter sent through
tEe EldlI Dy members Oh SOHpTesS was
made chargeable with the same rates of
postage as that sent by or to other persons,
and III 1871 a rate of ten cents for each
bound volume OF public documents was
g. established. and for unbound the same rate
as on newspapers mailed from the publish
ers. but the next year II was provided that
the Congressional Record. or any part of ii,
or speeches or reports contained in 1t,
might be sent free under frank of the
member OF Congress written by him.
and all public documents were allowed to
be sent free under the same conditions. In
ISL the privilege was given members of
Congress 2nd members elect or sending
under frank letters to the officers of the
government when addressed officially
The practice has recently grown up of
having the frank OF a member OF Congress
PRINTED or envelopes. and using the latter
TO send out campaign literature.
Mr. Richardson's Statement.
Mr. Richardson, the chairman of the
House committee on printing. said today to
D Star reporter In reference to the publish
Cd statement that this provision of the
kin was never referred TO when the bill
was before either house. is altogether er-
porecus and misleading.
The provision was not in the printing bill,
- reported 70 the House at all. but was
plscci there 10y a vote of the House. ii be-
ing aH amendment proposed by Mr.. Hay yes
Of Iowa while the bill was being consider
Cd. After Mr.. Hayes proposed the amend
Eent IL was upon my motion amended,
0srkiHs- ont the word two and inserting
the word one so that the weight Of the
Drin ntable matter should be limited TO one
ounce. instead of two The amendment
Fas dis used by several gentlemen, as the
feCord shows. and then adopted by the
Nous. hy vote of ~ ayes to 10 noes.
fConE. Record. page 2i4S. vol. 1876. Octo-
Or - lSh3t There Is, therefore no occa-
fIoa for surprise upon the part Of any MEM
Sar"