Franking Privilege

The privilege of sending certain matter through the public mails without payment therefor. It is enjoyed by various officers of the federal government, theoretically for the public good. See Brightly, Dig. U. S. Laws.

'The privilege of sending certain matter through the public mails without payment therefor. It was first claimed by the house of commons in 1660, and was confirmed by statute in 1764. On the establishment of the penny postage in 1840 it was abolished. See 1 Bla. Com. 323; 2 Steph. Com. 632. It was formerly enjoyed by various officers of the federal government, including members of both houses of congress, theoretically for the public good. By the act of (January 31, 1873, the franking priviwhatever. The act of March 3, 1875, s. 6, permits members of congress to send free public documents and acts; a qualified exercise of the privilege has been extended to certain ofilcials, where public convenience seemed to require it. By act of March 8, 1877, it is made lawful to transmit through the mall free of postage, any letters, packages, or other matters relating exclusively to the business of the United States, provided that every such letter or package bears over the words "Official Business,” an endorsement showing the name of the department or bureau from whence transmitted. This provision was extended by act of March 3, 1879, to all officers of the government and made applicable to all official mail matter. By the act of January 12, 1895, members of congress are entitled to send through the mails free, under their frank, any mail matter to any government official or to any person, correspondence not exceeding one ounce in weight, upon official or departmental business. They may also frank the Congressional Record or any part thereof. U. S. R. S. 1 Supp. 70. By act of April iS, 1904, the vice president and members, memberselcct, delegates and delegates-elect may send free any mall matter to any government official, or to any person correspondence not exceeding four ounces in weight, upon official or departmental business. By act of June 26, 1906, lending the privilege to any committee or organization is forbidden. FRANKLEYN (spelled, also, Francling and Franklin). A freeman; a freeholder; a gentleman; francus homo. Blount; CowelL

The privilege of sending certain matter through the public mails without payment of postage, in pursuance of a personal or official privilege,