Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-12-02
The Post Office Depn nt.--Circular Letter
TO the Special Agents of the Department.
PosT OFFIcE DEPARTMENT.,


Sir To the duties assigned Won by any former
instructions, as Spccial and Confidential Agent of
this Department., desire to add. that of strictly
observing the manner in which the Post Offices
kept in the section and along the lines Of the
route you may be called to inspect and travel.
The Postmaster General expects that every
Post Office, whatever may be its importance shall
be attended to or supervised by the Deputy Post
master, The practice which regret to learn, has
obtained in many portions of the U. S. of one
man holding the commission of Postmaster, whilst
another discharges its duties, must be stopped
and when such cases fall within your ledge,
desire that they shall be made the subject ofspe-
cial report
Great carelcssness in the opening and keeping
the mail in insecure places, and permitting per-
sons cher than the Postmaster, or his sworn
sstants TO have access to the same when opening
or after it is opened has been charged in general
terms, upon many of the Postmasers in the small
towns and villages. That evil must be corrected
and when you have evidence of the fact, it is ex-
pectcd you will make it known 20 the Depart,
ment, that the only efficient remedy may be ap-
piled. ] will not continue in Office those who will
not themselves give their time and attention to
the discharge of ITS duties, or who violate or suf
fer violations of the rules of the Department in
opening and distributing the mail
1t is also desirable that you observe the deport-
ment of all carriers and drivers of mails, and re-.
port any misconduct, arising from wilful negli.
gence carelessness and inattenton, to their
employers and the Department
Many complaints having been made against the
agents or travelling Postmasters rail road routes.
you are expected to observe tie conduct of such
as may fall within the range of your supervision.
Information has been communicated to this De-
partment that drivers and carriers of the mail on
the more distant and unimportant routes, are in
the habit of carrying letters in violation of law,
thereby lessening the income of the Department.
As this may BE- done in ignorance of the law, you
will inform and instruct the contractors to charge
the carriers and drivers not to violate the law in
this particular. The act of 1925, section 20, d.
rects that all carriers shall deliver such letters,
whether sealed nnseaed, to the first Post Office
at which they arrive after receiving them, and the
Postmaster is directed 10 rate and charge the
postage.
If you become satisfied that any Post Office is
not of public utility, and not required for the
public accommodation, you will report that fact
and the for the opinion.
Upon the active exertion and vigilant supervis.
ion of the SPECIAL Agents of this Department,
mainly depend the regularity, security and eff.
cheney of mail transportation, and | cannot too
strongly impress upon you tho Importance and
high responsibility of your stations 1t is to you
the Postmaster must look for accurate information
upon all subjects pertaining to the outdoor opcr-
atoms of the Department. Give me your efficient
aid, and do not despair of making the Post OF.
fee eminently useful and popular.
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
c. A. WICKLIFFE.