The Indianapolis journal., 1897-01-07
An Amendment to the Postal Laws
That Is Intended to Cut Down See
ond-CIass Mail Matter.
FEATURES OF THE MEASURE
SERIALS AND SAMPLE COPIES DE-
MED ONE-CENT-A-POUND RATES.
Bill Providing Free HomcStcads for
Certain Settlers on Public Lands
Discussed by the Senate.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 6.-The Loud bill
% amend the law relating to second-cIass
nail matter was passed by the House to-
lay after two days of debate by vote of
~ to 105. The opposition to the bill made
strong fight against il. The statements
made on the floor as TO its effect in certain
PARTICULARS were very conflicting. The
most important provision OF the bill denies
he serial publications admission to the
nails at 1-cent-a-pound rates. 1t is
ollows:
THAT nothing herein contained shall be
20 construed as To admit to the second
class rate publications purportinS to be is
sued periodically and 10 subscribers. but
which are merely books or reprints of
books. whether they be issued complete
N parts. whether they be bound or un-
pound whether they be sold by subscrip-
lion otherwise or whether they purport
10 be premiums or supplements or parts of
regular newspapers or periodicals.
The bill also denies to newspapers the
sample copy" privilege. and the privilege
enjoyed by news dealers of returning un-
sold publications at the second-class rate.
rhe only other important change in the
present law provides that publishers whose
publications are admitted as second-class
matter shall be required before depositing
such mail matter in the postof1ice to sepa-
rate the same into United States mail
sacks bundles by States. cities. towns
ana counties the postmaster general
shall direct.
Mr.. GrosVeDor created a slight furry at
The opening of the session by securing the
adoption. question of privilege. of a
resolution calling the several depart
ments as to why they had failed TO comply
with former resolution the House had
passed at his instance on June s. requesting
nfOrmdtlon OF the several departments
relative to the administration of the civil
service law. He made sarcastic comments
3n the matter.
Mr.. Terry showed "A disposition to con-
test the point TO whether the resolution
involved a question of privilege, but when
ne ascertained that IL related to the civil
service he acquiesced with seeming
aiacrfty- IF there Is anything you
ind out about the civil service" safd ne
shall be very glad to have you dis
sover it,
The resolution calls for information as to
The number of employees i'm each depart
nent VINO have died. resigned or been re-
moved since March T. 1893 the number APP
pointed under the civil-service rules and
he number not appointed under such rules
Nho are now covered by the extension of
.he cisll-serVice rules.
The general debate the Loud bill to
,nsnd the law relating to second-ciass
nail matter was then resumed. Messrs.
Hillikin rep, Maine). Wagner Rep;.
Morse (Rep.. Massachusetts,, and Mr..
Bingham tRep.. Pennsylvania made brief
speeches against the bill. the latter calling
attention TO the vast sums expended by the
government for the general welfare, the
.housands OF tons of mail matter carried
.ree under franks for the information OF
he people. the millions of dollars expended
,or the development OF commerce. the vast
sums expended at the centennial. worlds
AIR and other exposition for the enlighten-
nent of the people. Cheap rates for books
were. he argued. a part and necessary
part. OF the governments general scheme
.or the education of the people.
Mr.. Loud closed the general debate In
advocacy of his measure. He replied to
many OF the arguments advanced against
he bill and closed with an earnest appeal
,or it's passage. The bill was then read for
amendment under the five-ninute rule.
Mr. Tracy offered an amendment. the
purpose of which was TO permit the trans
mission second-clasS matter of serial
publications and books when sent as parts
Of regular newspapers Mr.. Loud said the
amendment would defeat the purpose of
she bill.
Mr. Moody made very bitter attack on
he opposition to the bill. He charged that
he return privilege enjoyed by
news dealers was in the interest of a large
1ews company. and that the country news
papers. which were protesting against the
Jill. were being made cat 's-paws of by this
company and the publishers of serial pub
ications.
The Tracy amendment was withdrawn
when the committee rose at o'clock and
The vote was taken on the amendment and
third reading of the bill This a test
vote on the bill. The motion was carried
! to los. The opposition made no further
effort in the face of this defeat. The bill
EaS passed without division and at 4:30 ID.
n. the House adjourned.