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New Post Office Bill

New Post Office Bill image
Parent Issue
Day
15
Month
August
Year
1842
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Washington, July 25.POSTAGK, NEWSPAPERS, PENALTIE8, CONtracts &cc. - Some eix or seven years 6ince, Mr. Merrick of Md. from the committee on Post offices and post roads introduced a bilí into the Sonate in reference to all these important objections connecteil wkh the Post Office Department. The bill slcpt quietly upon the table until yesterday or the day previous when theauthor of the measure insisted upon its consideration. In the progress of business and the industrious action of the Senate, for the last few weeks the bill was placed upon the calender in its order, and becomethe subject of a brief debate. Some of ts provisions were monstrous and absurd, and those for the most part, were struck frora the Bill. Vhat remains. so far a3 its provínoos are important to the public, I send you. Tho bill wasordered to a third reading with an enrosementjof its ameidments on Saturday, and will probably pass the Senate to-day. lts passage in the House at this session is probable, and would be certain, but for the late period of the session. Rates of Postage.- The bill proposes Ihal the rates of postage be uniform lo our own currency,- ihat every single letter conveycd a distance not exceeding 30 miles shall pay five cents.- tíiat every letter conveyed over 30 and under 150 miles ehall pay ten cents,- over 150 and not exceeding 300 miles fifteen cents, - over SoO and not exceedinor 500 miles,20 cents,over 500 miles 25 cents. Doublé and triple letters are to pay doublé and triple postage, and those composefl of four or more pieces of paper, or one or more articles, and wcifrliinfr one ounce avoirdupois, to pay q'.iadruple these rates. All way ijewspapers will in future be subject lo letter postagp, and none will pny the simple paper postnge but those sent from the office of the püblisher. The sise of newspapers are to be linüted also,k.thosemfretl)nn 1307 inches,(the size of the N. Y. Daily Morning Express and Courier,) vill pass ïhrongh the mails ns they do under existing regulations. Upon all beyond 1307 square inches a postage of one cent is tobe paid for every five square inches. Fines and Penaliies are to be paid intn the Treasury of the United States, and credited as received for the use of the Post Office Department.Railroads, Coaches, Steamboats, Packetboats.and all vehicles are prohibited from conveying nny letter or parce!, excepl such asbe]nn: to the convoyance, under a penalty of $100 for every oífiíiice, one half to be given to the informer and the other to the owners. The penal sections form the lieaviest part of vhe law, and are dweil upon at prent length, s o chat any escape tnay be regarded as quite impossible. Private Expresses are also proliibited nder a penalty; the only exception to this is whcre no comjpensation is received, and a special rnesaenger may be employed for a single particular occasion. Foreign slnps, sfeainpliip?, and vessels of ill kind.nre prohibted from conveying letters bet ween different ports of the United States, unless relating to ahip or cargo, under a penalty of $500. This however, does not repeal the law of Marcli, 1825, wiiich specifies in wliat manner letters may be transmitted by steamboats. Contracts are authorized to be made by the Post Master General with the owners or commanders of vessels upon the western and other waters of the United States, provided the public iuterests and convenience will be promoied thereby, and the expense of service shall be beyoñd prior or existwa contracts. The last section ofthebill rehtes to Boxes. They may and must be fitted up to any extent for the benefit of all citizmis who want them, and at uniform prices. The postmaster may retain 12 per cent. of such 6ent beyond the amount now received by law as a part of bis compensation. QA brush manufactory was burnt at on the morning of the 29th uit. - The loss is cstimated at some 2 or 3000 dollars.

Article

Subjects
Signal of Liberty
Old News