The Arkansas advocate., 1831-08-31
whom they are detained, and report the facts to the Department.

facts to the Department.
 There is, with some. postmasters. a want of proper care in receiving and changing the mail. Packets of letters and bundles of newspapers are often left n the mail to pass beyond their des- tination5 or to take q wrong direction, through the inattention of the person whose duty ii IS to separate thern. ' our especial attention is called to this sub- beet. At all connecting points, or at places from which other mails branch. 1t is the duty of the postmaster to cx- anime carefully the packets in the mail i; 10 seperate from them those which be- long to his own office, and all such as should be sent by the kranching mail, and to give them their proper direction. to go by the earliest conveyance. II will be of little avail to the public, to form connections and provide for the expedition of the mail, unless postmas- tcrs carefully attend to their duties in this respect. Neglect ont this point brings reproach upon the Department, and of ten casts it upon those who least merit the censure. Whenever this duty is neglected, it is srequifed of the first post master who shall discover it, to return such packets 10 the postmaster who has given them wrong direction, or whose neglect has suffered them to wander, ,and report the facts 10 the Department. It is expected that this injunction will be strictly regarded. It will enable the Department to detect the errors and carelessEess of delinquents, and to as- certain through what offices packets of this description may have passed by want Of proper vigilance 10 arrest them. h such cases, the most clfeetnal correc- tive will be promptly applied.
 Aa evil prevails, t is apprehended, with the smaller post offices, and with some Of the eintermediate offices on routes much trayeiled-wIiich may, perhaps moro than any Of the greater derelic- iiohs of duty, contribute to 1jnre the reputation of the Department. Ii is this:-Tle opening of mails by post master or assistant, in a public store or other room, within the reach of persons not Swori--in violation of an express instruction. This must be wholly d. yoided. In the smaller offices, too, where the letters and newspapers remaining on hand are 4ews there is sometimes great careicssnessi in otpreserying them we'll under lock and key. They should be kept in secure case, or desk, and no person not officially sworn, allowed to have access 10 them. And llle practice which obtains ia some offices of lending newspapers, must be abandoned alto gether. Injuries of this kird will be promptly redressed. Postmasters arc also moro strictly enjeincd, to give due notice to publishers, when their papers or periodicals are refused, or uot taken from the post office. 4 wilfal neglect Of this injunction bs. postmaster, nay subject hinl to private damages on the suit of a publisher, who can establish the act- besides thc.conscquence of q complaint 10 this Department.
 1t is required by law, that every per son employed by the Department, whe thef postmaster or clerk, contractor, car rier or driver; shali take the oath pre- scrlbed. 1t has lately come 10 the knowledge of the Department, that in some instances this has been eglected, both in post offices and witll nail earri- CTS or drivers. You will inquire into this; and if it has ever been neglected by any person in your employment, you will have the error immediately correct ed. A wanton disregard ofthisfequire- ment in future, will be considered am- ple cause for removal from office, or for annulling a contract.
 It is required of every contractor to be scrupulously punctuai, in his times of arrival, at the specified points with the mail. In every case of delinquency in this respect, the fine will be imposed and rigidly enforced; and q repetition will incur a forfeiture of the contract. If insurmountable obstacles intervene, lthe contractor must lose no time in pro- curing the best evidence of the facts which the. nature of the case will ad- init, and forward it by the earliest mail to the Department A delay in doing this will prevent the excuse from being considered; and no obstacle which is not absolutely aasuynsoaatatte, will De consid- tered a sufficient apology.
 Ii is required of all postmasters at the
 beginning and ending of each route
 and at any other points named ln the