The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-17
A CODE OF POSTAL LAWS
House Takes Up Bill to Classify
and Revise Certain Statutes.
Mr.. Loud, Chairman of the Postofice
Committee. Explains the PrOvI-
sions of the MeasuTe-sIade IA Con-
tinuinE Order-Mr. Hepburn Would
Take Power From the Senate

The House of Representatives met at
noon, with only ffty-seven members in
attendance. The special order for the
day was the bill Ito revise and codify
the laws relating to the postal service -
At the suggestion of Mr. bingham, the
order was so modified as TO make it a
continuing order, which shalt not inter
fere with general appropriation bills or
conference reports
The House, at 1905 O'Clock, resolved
itself into Committee Of the Whole, with
Mr.. Lawrence in the chair, for the con-
sideration of the Postal Codifcation bill.
The first reading was dispensed with, and
Mr.. Loud, Chairman of the Committee
on Postofices and Post Reads vas rec
ognized, that he might explain the pro-
visions of the pending measure. lie said
that the last revision OF the postal laws,
both civil and criminal, was made by the
act of June s, 1872. which revision. with
slight changes, was incorporated in the
Revised Statutes as Title XLVI The
laws relating TO the Postoffice Depart
ment are comprised in Title TX Of the
Revised Statutes, and other sections re-
lating to the Postofice Department, the
Postal Service, and the Office OF the Audi
toi Va the IOSlOLHCG department, WHICH
are classified under various titles of the
Revised Statutes, are included In the
pending bill. Numerous amendments to
these laws and many additional proyis-
ions have been enacted by Congress
These amendments and subsequent stat
utes have been incorporated in this re-
vision. and alterations have been made
to reconcile apparent differences
Changes have also been made in the
mira Epoip0y of eyfcr7uo laws For- he sale
Of clearness or uniformity. and il several
instances different statutes relating to
the same subject have been consolidated
The laws relating 10 offences against
the postal service were revised by the
commission constituted by Congress to
revise ard codify the criminal and penal
laws OF the United States, which revi-
sion was reported to Congress by the
Attorney General under date of February
"A, 1893, and is incorporated in the bill.
No changes Of consequence have been
made in the criminal laws as revised by
the commission, except that IN all cases
where minimum punishment is pre-
scribed this provision has been omitted.
II being the opinion Of the committee
that the question % punishment, within
the maximum fixed oy law, should be left
to the discretion OF the courts
Several new criminal provisions which
were not called to the attention of the
commission by the PosJofice Department
at the time the criminal revision was
prepared are included in the bill
Mr. Loud was frequently Interrupted
Mr.. Robinson wanted TO know i the bill
treated of the matter of yacaL lions for
Government employees outside of Washing
ton The postal regulations" said Mr.
Loud. '-on this question were incorporated
in the BILL
Al 1870 the reading Of the bill by para
graphs was begun When Section 2 was
reached which provides that there shall
be in the Postofce Department four as
sistant postmasters general who shall be
appointed by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate
Mr. Hepburn moved TO amend by striking
out the words by and with the advice
and consent OF the Senate The amend
ment was opposed by Mr. Loud and Mr..
Bartlett The question being put the noes
had it. and MIR Hepburn demanded a di-
vision, which resulted ayes 10, noes 81