The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-25
THANKING STAMP
 FOR MEMBERS Might Not Correct the Existing Abuses, However REPRESENTATIVE TALKS Representative Floyd Gives Notice That He May Renew His Fight for
 Election of Senators By
 the People
REPRESENTATIVE TALKS
BY SIDNEY EsPEY

Washington, December 24-(Special)- "The suggestion that the postoffce de- partment issue special franling stamp for use on official letters mailed by senators and members is not a bad idea said member of the house committee on postoffices and postroads today. but 1t will hardly have the effect of lessening the amount of free mail. It is not many years that we have had the privilege Of franking our official mail. AS I recall it, the author of the law was Representative James D. Richardson of Tennessee. He was chairman of the house committee on printing at the time he introduced his resolution to extend the franking privilege to senators and members. He pointed out that most of such mall was of an official character, In that it re- quired correspondence with the execu- tive departments, and that if the con- stituent had written direct to a depart ment his letter would be answered un- der frank. He also showed that corre- spondence on matters pertaining to Con- gross and the departments was tax on some members, and as nearly all mall going out of the House and Senate was
 
 frank He made 1t clear, however, that the franlring privilege was not to apply to personal correspondence The resolu- ton was adopted by the House and Sen ate by practically unanimous vote. It may be, added the committee member, that the personal correspondence feature of the law Is not strictly observed, and the Postmaster General believes that hls special stamp suggestion, if used, will be taken as an authority for the issu- ance of the special franking stamps for all official matter sent out by Congress. I fail to see how 1t would correct any abuse but 1t would add some thousands of dollars expense in printing stamps. Some years ago each department of the government had its particular stamp. The White House was not an exception. AS I recall it the White House stamps were styled executive stamp ana were se- ries of six. They were in great demand by stamp collectors, But the department stamps were abolished by Congress in the interest of economy and to facilitate handling of official mail In the post offices of the country. I doubt if the House at this session will make any change in the franking privilege. as sug- gested by the Postmaster General.
 "Just after the holiday recess I will make another effort to obtain vote on my joint resolution, proposing an amendment to the constitution proyid- ing for the election of senators of the United States" said Representative Lloyd of Missouri, chairman of the democratic congressional committee, to- cay. "The resolution has been favor ably reported to the House. and in my Judgment it represents the wish es of the people If the House refuses to per init a vote to be taken at this session, vou may depend on it that the next House will pass 1t by large majority. A number of states have adopted the primary system, whereby candidates tor United States senator are voted for di- recently, members of the legislature chosen at the same election voting TOT the candidate receiving the majority of the vote of the people. I feel confident that the passage by the House of my joint resolution would have a whole some effect on those states that have not yet adopted the primary system of electing senators. I doubt If anyone would question how the people of cer- tain states would vote for some sera- themselves
 The last amendment to the rules adopted by the House the day before final adjournment, last June, has been fruitful in adding to the calendars of the House. It was known as the Clark amendment to the rules. the purpose of which is to place in the hands of the voting majority the power to discharge committee from consideration of any