THE METRIC SYSTEM OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Speech in the Senate, on two Bills and a Joint Resolution relating to the Metric System, July 27, 1866.
May 18th, Mr. Sumner moved the appointment by the Chair of a special committee of five, to which all bills and measures relating to the metric system should be referred; and the motion was agreed to.
May 23d, the Chair appointed Mr. Sumner, Mr. Sherman, of Ohio, Mr. Morgan, of New York, Mr. Nesmith, of Oregon, and Mr. Guthrie, of Kentucky. Two bills and a joint resolution which had passed the House of Representatives were referred to the committee, and July 16th reported to the Senate by Mr. Sumner, with the recommendation that they pass, namely:—
“A Bill to authorize the use of the metric system of weights and measures.”
“A Joint Resolution to enable the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish to each State one set of the standard weights and measures of the metric system.”
“A Bill to authorize the use in post-offices of weights of the denomination of grams.”