Revue française d’études américaines 2007- 2 (n° 112)| ISSN 0397-7870 | ISSN numérique : en cours | ISBN : 2-7011-4711-6 | page 052 à 064 Distribution électronique Cairn pour les éditions Belin. © Belin. Tous droits réservés pour tous pays. Il est interdit, sauf accord préalable et écrit de l’éditeur, de reproduire (notamment par photocopie) partiellement ou totalement le présent article, de le stocker dans une banque de données ou de le communiquer au public sous quelque forme et de quelque manière que ce soit.

ABSTRACT — The congressional debates on abolishing the franking privilege in 1872-1874 open a window into the institutional arrangement and administrative practices of the U.S. federal State in the 19th century. Through the use of the frank, Congressmen acquired a privileged position as intermediaries between the Executive branch and the citizens of their districts. Thus, they performed a key administrative task. This finding is far from today’s common conception of the State, and prompts us to reevaluate our understanding of the forms and practices of the federal State during its first century.

The congressional debates on abolishing the franking privilege in 1872-1874 open a window into the institutional arrangement and administrative practices of the U.S. federal State in the 19th century. Through the use of the frank, Congressmen acquired a privileged position as intermediaries between the Executive branch and the citizens of their districts. Thus, they performed a key administrative task. This finding is far from today’s common conception of the State, and prompts us to reevaluate our understanding of the forms and practices of the federal State during its first century.
Keywords : state, post office, administrative organization, franking privilege, Congress.