157
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1858
were to oblige every man disposed to read these documents to subscribe for a newspaper. They are matters of record,'and will be matters of reference. The humblest man of the community, if he intimate his desire to a member of the Senate, or of the House of Rpresntativs, can obtain the President's message with the accompanying documents. Hence, I think if it should impose a little duty on members they might well bear it. I have, in my life, borne it for sixteen years here. I never had, until the last few years, any assistance in discharging my duties in this way; and I am for leaving gentlemen heirs to a full share of the labor of it. I am not for imposing any arduous or unjust task on them, for I know when the people have reposed confidence in them, in their fidelity, good feeling, and patriotism, that it is a poor requital when they furnish them with such articles or such docu- ments as contain important intelligence in relation to the Govern- ment of the country, and which are furnished by the Government. Therefore it is that I never could see any advantage in this proposition, though perhaps it will be a saving to the country. If it is, I know not what that saving can be. I thank the gentle- man from Mississippi for his information. He may have given me light, but I do not perceive it. It may be owing to my dull- ness of apprehension. I have no doubt of his acumen, or of the explanation which he has offered, but I really cannot comprehend that there is any advantage in it. Taking for granted all that he has said, I cannot see any advantage to result to the country, and therefore I am opposed to it. 1 Congressional Globe, 1857-1858, Part 3, pp. 2991-2992. The Postoffice bill was up for debate. The Proposed amendment was that "the franking privi- lege now accorded to members of Congress, be and the same is hereby abolished from and after the 4th day of March next." Houston spoke on the franking privilege again on February 24, 1859, which see in this volume. CONCERNING THE AMENDMENT FOR HALF PAY FOR THE WIDOWS OF GENERAL GAINES AND COLONEL TURNBULL, 1 JUNE 11, 1858. I really do not intend to make any remarks upon these sub- jects. It is said, however, that these cases do not come ·within the purview ·of any general law, and that we have no precedent for them. It is for that very reason, I understand, that we are called upon to legislate. If we had laws and precedents to cover these cases, it would not be necessary to legislate now. We are called upon to supply the deficiencies of law, and to make law;
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