Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-12-18
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
November 4th 1S41.

SIR:-To the duty assigned you by any
former instructions, as Special and Conf
dental Agent of this Department, desire
to add that of strictly observing the man.
ner in which the Post Offices are kept in
the section and along the lines of route you
NAV be called to inspect and travel.
The Postmaster General expects that ev-
ery Post Office, whatever may be its i'm
portance, shall be attended to or supervised
by the Deputy Postmaster. The practice
which l re greet to learn, has obtained in ma
nv portions of the United States, of one
man holding the commission of Postmaster,
whilst another discharges its duties, must
be stopped; and when such cases fall with
in your knowledge, desire that they shall
be made the subject of special report.
Great carelessness in the opening and
keeping the mail in insecure places, and
permitting persons, other than the Pos'mas-
ter, or his sworn assistants, to have &C
cess to the same wien opening, or after It
is opened, has been charged, in general
terms, upon many of the Postmasers in the
small towns and villages. This evil must
be corrected, and when you have evidence
of the fact, it is expected you will make il
known to the Department, that the only ef-
fcient remedy may be applied. will not
continue in office those who will not them
selves give their time and attention to the
discharge of its duties, or who violate or SUI
fer violations of the rules of the Depart
ment in opening and distributing the mail.
II is also desirable that you observe the
department of all carriers and drivers OF
mails, an / report any misconduct arising
from wilful negligence or care'essness and
inattenton to their employers and to the
Department.
Many complaints have been made against
the agents or travelling Postmasters on rail
road routes, you are expected to observe
the conduct of such as may fall within the
range of your supervision.
Information has been communicated to
this Department that drivers and carriers
of the mail on the more distant and more
unimportant routes, arc in the habit OF car
rying letters in violation of the law, thereby
lessening the income of the Department.
As this may be done in ignorance of the
law, YOU will inform and instruct the con-
tractors TO charge the carriers and drivers
not to violate the law in this PARTICULAR
The act of 1925, section 90, directs that all
carriers sha! deliver such letters, whether
sealed or unsealed. to the first Post Office
at which they arrive after receiving them,
and the Postmaster is directed to rate and
charge the postage.
If YOU become satisfied that any Post Of
flee is not of public utility, and not required
for the public accommodation, you will re-
port that fact and the reasons for the opin-
ion.
Upon the active exertion and vigilant su-
pervision of the Special Agents of this De-
partment, mainly depend the regularity, Sc
curity, and efficiency of mail Transportation,
and cannot too strongly impress upon you
the Importance and high responsibility of
your stations. 1t is to you the Postmaster
General must look for information upon ali
subjects appertaining to the out door ope-
rations of the Department. Give me your
efficient aid, and ! do not despair of making
the Post Office Department eminently USE
full and popular
Very respectfully.
Your obedent servant.
C. A. WICKLIFFE.