WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1859
301
Give love to Nannie, to Grand Ma, and all kindred, also to Bro. Burleson and Lady. Affectionately Thy Father Sam Houston. Sam Houston, Jr.
1 The original is in Domest-ic Corresponclence, Texas State Library.
REMARKS ON THE AMENDMENT TO ABOLISH THE FRANKING PRIVILEGES, FEBRUARY 24, 1859 1 Mr. Houston. I have been reluctant to make any remarks on this subject; but I rea])y deem it my duty, at least, to give the opinion which I entertain upon it. I have not been as atten- tive to the discussion as I might have been; but I believe that I apprehend directly the object of this amendment. It is to abolish the franking privilege, and that all matter passing to ~.nd from members of Congress is to be paid for, or at least all matter passing to members. Now, sir, I think the error does not consist in the franking privilege, nor even in the abuse of it. I think that it is entirely owing to the unnecessary reduc- tion of postage below what it ought to be. I regard that as one of the most equitable taxes that can possibly be laid upon the people; for those who do not write letters will not have to pay for them. If a man is engaged in the transaction of busi- ness, he will not be prejudiced by it, because he will lay it upon his creditors, or his debtors, and those with whom he transacts his business. If individuals do not correspond, they will not necessarily be taxed with the postal burdens in this country; but they will be exempt from them, and it will only fall upon those who are interested in correspondence; and those who are not interested in it will be exempt from its influence. · If you do not bring the proceeds equal to the expenses of the Department, the money is withdrawn from the general Treas- ury for the purpose of making up the deficiency; and when you draw it from the general Treasury it falls on the whole com- munity, whether they are· correspondents or not; so that, to my mind, there is no tax laid upon the people, whether directly or indirectly, so perfectly equitable as the postal tax. If the post- age had not been reduced far below what it ought to have been, the revenue of the Department would have been amply suffi- cient to have supported it. If it had been retained at five cents, instead of being reduced to three, the Department would not
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