New-York tribune., 1841-12-18
CIRCULAR
To postnasters throuzhom, the u. sfntes.

CIRCULAR.
To Post,nasters throughout the u. stntes.
The multiplied AID increasing attempts. to vio
late the law and de.raud the rev cnue BIZ writing on
the wrapper margin of newspapers and pam
phics sent by mail, enclosing memoranda o'hcr
things within them, undcrscoring, doting " prick
ing letters or words and by various other d vice,
W tn he view TO ev de the payment Of legal post
age, force upon the Postmaster Genera. the uece:-
s'ty of directing me to cal the special attention OF
Psi,masters 70 tie uudlnchng discharge of their
duty in til, plrticular
TIE wrappers of all transient papers and pam
phet-, which have reached their destinations should
be removed and the papers examined Those used
in the manner abcv alluded to- the vehicles OF
communication, should be charged on delivery,
with letter postage; if refused or not taken out
~ should be returned the office where fr,i
mailed and the Postmaster there should invariably
collect the legal penalty of live dollars. Of the per
son who committed the offence Such paper
should be samyed, waen aed aad marked viii
the rate of pos.as-.
The Postmaster General cannot bring himself
t, believe that pubic sentiment wh.n weli in
formed will fail sustain Won Ia th faithful dis
charge OF this du'y, as imperative upon YOU as an.
o;her.
By the law OF 1925 "any memorandum" III
a letter pos age and, in the opinion of the De
partment any word, addressed constitute "
murandum within The meaning of the law. The
very great abuse Of the ranhing privilege, and the
consequent loss to the revenue of the Department
and its d. moraiIzing effect on the community, has
also attracted the attention OF the Postmaster Gen
era and this SUBJECT he cannot but repeat the
language OF one OF his predecessors:
" 1t might be presumed that the high character
of officers entitled this privilege would be
guaranty for its restriction within the limits OF the
law; but it is much to be lanented for the honor
of our country, no less than for the prosperity OF
the Department, that such has not always been the
Letters TO others are frequently enclosed 10
persons who entitled to the privilege Of frank
ing, and letters written by others often sent un
der their frank, in opposition TO the express lette
of the law. There is TO apprehend that
Postmasters have; in some instances, been guilty
of this fraud upon the revenwe. This evil, unless
it shall find remedy in the visiant and energetic
co operation Of Poslmasters with the head OF the
Department, must tend to paralyze all Its opera
lions II is therefore expected that you will watch
with the utmost against this unlawful practice;
and whenever you have for suspicion, use nii
lawful mea IS to Obtain evidence against the often
der Let no effort be RENTED let no dignity OF
station deter YOU but however exalted may be the
rank of the officer VINO shall violate the law IN the
abuse Of his rankng privilege, never iail to en-
force the penalty by legal process, and report each
case 10 the Department. In all Lawful efforts Ia
carry INTO t feet the provisions OF the law against
such AS shall incur its penalties, you will be sus-
tanned BY Tie Department; but no Postmaster can
expect to retain the confidence Of the Department
who hail wantonly violate his franking privilege,
or who knowingly shall suffer II in others with I'M
punity.
The vast amount of service which the mail es-
adjustment is compelled to perform by the exist
ing laws without any remuneration, and the many
additional mail facilities which the public voice
daily calls for, render it absolutely necessary not
only tina, every dollar OF lawful revenue shall be
collected and accounted for. but that frauds and
I leaks of all kinds be prevented.
Your Alteration is also called to the instruction
relative to your duty in the transmission OF money
to the publishers OF newspapers or acting as their
agent. Much misunderstanding appears TO exist
on tins subject. which 1t Is desirable should De
corrected. AL that YOU may lawfully do Is con
tanned in the following and If this Is not strictly
observed the PoStmast ter General viii be compelled
TO withdraw the instruction entirely.
A postmaster aay enclose money IN letter to
the publisher of a newspaper, TO pay the ssescrp-
ton Il hird person, and frank the letter, II writ
ten ar signed BY himself but i. the letter be signed
by another person the postmaster cannot frank IL
But this is q service not required OF HIM, and he
NAV perform II as q matter OF courtesy or decline
it, at his option. Such letters should contain on
". and relate solely TO, the transmission OF money
from individual subscribers te publishers OF news
papers, and not TO the collection. OF agents or
Others and they should not cover correspondence
on any other subject whatever; and 1t Is not pro-
per for postmaster to becene the agent OF news
paper publishers or others, aud use his frank IN
the transaction OF such business.
Should you be requested attend TO any news
paper business requiring the Of yeur frank re-
specting which you have doubts, YOU should de-
cine it altogether.
am instructed to add, in view OF the numerous
applications on the subject, that, OF the . Laws
Instructions and Forms 2" last published in 1882
and the Table of Post Offices last published
in 1887, 10 copies have for some time past been
on hand for distribution; but ii is the intention 81
the Postmaster General order new edition OF
both, TO be published soon as appropriations are
made 10 NEE, the expense.
am. very respectfully. your oeedent 'ervant'
PHI c. FULLER, 2d Asst T. NJ zen.
Pcsr OFFICE DEPARTMENT luta Dec ie4i.
The INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS az OEio'-N'