Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-07-07

as are III this, to have been expected Mr. Barry
found the department with high character, but in
vovcd in contracts beyond its ability TO pay IL was
due to the character OF the departments; il due to
himself TO look to the legitimate OF its
TO meet its disbursements IL due TO the character
of the government ITSELF that he should existing
abuses and enforce as far as possible, the vigilance
and operation OF all its agents II for This pur
pose that the circular, tle fruitful Of so much
complaint and Misrepresentation, issued. Mr.. Bar.
ry has introduced ne,o regulations either as to the
amount of postage to be charged or the manner of
charging collecting it, All that he has required i, |
the correction oil existing abuse, and careful adhe-
renee to The law and former regulations Of the depart
ment
The Inelligencer complains that deputy pos,masters
and their clerks, are required TO be careful in eSdnlf
ing letters, and insnuaes that il the intention of
the department, that the post office should become aux
ary to system Of espionage. Is there single ind-
vidual who believes such charge! lis there single
individual who does not know, that any deputy post
master his clerk guilty OF such offence would be
instantly removed by Mr.. Barry!
We have great cause TO congratulate Mr. Barry and
the administration, that their opponents compelled
TO use grounds ofobjection which every in the
community disbelieves.
The Integencer claims the merit of being the frs,
TO sound the alarm against the regulation In re-
ply TO this. II is enough TO that regulation
has been made The inteligonccr made great out
cry about the postage charged ation
sent back TO them by postmaster in Massachusetts,
But they have taken special TO be silent in rela-
lion 10 other cases coming uoder the former usage OF
the department in which the postage has been remit.
ted. One of the New York editors assas Boston pa.
and insinuatcs that under this administration most
masters will not remit the postage charged blank pa
pcrs, old pamphlets and vexaous letters, evidently
forwarded through the mail for the purpose of improp
eriy taxing postage Now, The editors of the Inte-
gencer know that, under the regulations the depart
ment, as now exists, all such postage s refunded up
on the return OF the letter charged Their notice
OF the case we mention may have led distant deputy
Po'tmasters to suppose that Mr. Barry had given ec
construction TO the laws and there have been
where Postmasters have refused to postage i'm
properly charged voxatious letters If So the edi
tors OF the lntellisenetr and not the Postmaster Cen
erai, are to blame: because they, Knowing that the
practice oil The Office in this city remains the same that
was under the former Postmaster General and that
such postage has, in all cases been returned TO them
as well as others were bound to say Messrs Gales
Il Seaon, know too, that regulation has bee in
troduced by Mr.. Bary-yet whilst they are ready TO
deal out praises upon his predecessor for the rim
tendence OF the department, they let portunity
for censuring MIR. Barry. escape Are we to suppose
that the editors OF the ntegencer the advocates
OF abuses in the Post Office Department. II they are
not, why do they censure Mr. Barrys circular the OBJ
ject of which TO correct abuses? We have said
does not introduce neto regulations into the office
The following letter from the postmaster in Baltimore
is in point: m
tFrora The Baltimore Chronicle.l
To MeSsrs. Lcakin g. Sands.
GENTLEstEN.-lf, as is presumed % be the fact
your observations in the Chronicle OF Ibis morning head
ed Post Office Extoriion," refer the case of p,vae
article headed hr .Niehoison's Case" permit me to
state that Is case OF private controversy printed on
hGt sheet Of paper, folded and PACED and that the
charge OF letter postage made not under "DrGc-
tice introduced bg the present Post Master General"
but under instructions from his prodecessor-Ir these
words "1idgdSnes, Pamphlets and Legislatiye jour
ndis"-These words be taken i'm heir comma,
meaning, that is, Magazine is a monthly pamphlet
containing articles on science, politics, news &c
Pamphlet IS small unbound book, consisting of one
or more sheets--dH kinds Of advertisements printed
or written, and all articles by mail which do no,
come within the description of newspaper, magazine
pamphlet or legislative journal. 10 be charged with
SETTER postage"
See instructions page sl-sgned John Mclean mn,
me- IA AL fan
Post Office laws and Instructions, are kept in the Post
ONCE here; where they are always accessible md ex.
hibted with pleasure to any " no may desire 20 ex
anime them, and especially editors OF papers who
are most interested in their due and faithful execution
The present Postmaster General has given no new
instruction. IN reference TO like the one in cues
lion. Under Instructions from Mr. Negs dated 25th
July, 1920, Postmasters bound to consider t,,o
sheets as necessary to constitute pamphlet printed
articles, on less than two Sheets liable to letter
postage. Mr. Mclean instru cted US after the net of
1872 as has been shewn, 10 con5ider pamphlets as
',sinaii unbound books. consisting Of or more
sheets when therefore in any case, and more es-
pecialy in one not of public nature hut OF priya.
controversy the party has for distribution
to printing hay sheet il was not considered tha,
was entitled to exemption from letter postage merely
because with that view, it was folded and PACED in the
form of pamphlet.
This explanation which would have been cheerfullv
made to the party has been made here, to depre-
cate discussion IN matter OF public concernmeu nor
censure OF The administration OF this particular Office
when there is any thing in its practice to call for J
Is made IN the assurance, that of Justice would
prompt you TO hear with pleasure what can be said in
defence oil an act, deemed worthy of being denounc
ed as POST Office ExtOrtion In the pursuit of truth
which is our oHfy AIM let us bear in mind the differ
ence between what the law u.s. and ideas of what il
ought to be. Far from wishing practice any inposi-
ton, il is alike my duty and my wish TO prevent it,
where circumstances appear 10 indicate the contrary
snail be happy TO hear and 10 explain them, as they
may be susceptible Of explanation Respectfully your
obedient servant, j. s SKINNER
June ~, 1879. Bait. Post Office
ERO5f QUE CORREsPONDENr
TTashin 0Iou ITyelInee2o,t E,eu;no