Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-12-09
NUMBER Al.
From tie Madisoniaa.
THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.

va 49, X An E4kN
The following circular has been trans
mitted by the Post Master General to the
special agent Of the Department. The
abuses TO which the Postmaster refers,
have been praciised to no inconsiderable
extent, and it is TO be hoped they are nov
to be brought 20 speedy correction and
termination. The vigilance, sagacity and
economy, which the new head of this inn
poriant and comprehensive branch Of the
service has brought into the office, will,
we trust, restore it to the fullest prosperi-
ty and usefulness:
Circalar Letter 10 the Special Agents 81 the Post
Ofee Department.
Posr 0FFIcE DEPARTMENT,
November 4th, l84l.
SIR TO the duties assigned you by
any former instructions, us Special and
Confidential Agent of this Department, |
desire to add, that of strictly Observing
the manner in which the Pos, Offices are
kept in the section and along the lines of
route you may be called to inspect and
travel.
The Postmaster General expects hat
every Post Office, whatever may be its
Importance, shall be attended to or super.
vised by the Deputy Postmaster. The
practice which, | regret TO learn, has OBJ.
tanned in many 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 within your knowledge, |
desire that they be made the subject OF
special report.
Great carelessness in the opening end
keeping the mail in insecure places, and
permitting persons, other than the Post
master, or bis sworn assistants, to have
access to the same when opening, or after
it is opened, has oeen charged, in general
terms, Upon many Of the Postmasters in
the small towns and villages. This evil
must be- corrected, and when you have
evidence Of the fact, il is expected you
will make il known TO the Department,
that the only efficient remedy may be ap.
piled. | will no, continue in Office those
who will not themselves give their time
and attention to The discharge of its du-
ties, or who violate or suffer violations Of
the rules Of the Department in opening
and distributing the mail.
1t is also desirable that you observe the
department of all carriers and drivers Of
mails, and report any misconduct arising
from wilful negligence or carelessness and
inatten,ion to their employers and to the
Many complaints have been made a
gainst the agents or travelling Postmas-
ters on rail road routes; you are expect
I'd to observe the conduct Of such as may
fall within the range of your supervision.
Information has been communicated TO
Ibis Department that drivers and carriers
the mail, on the more distant and un-
routes, are in the habit oil car.
rying letters in violation Of the law, there
by lessening the income Of the Depart-
As this may be done in Ignorance
of the law, you will inform and instruct
The contractors to charge the carriers aud
drivers not to violate the law in this par
The act OF 1925, section 20, d.
rects that oil carriers shall deliver such
whether sealed or unsealed, to tho
first Post Office at which they arrive after
receiving them, and the Postmaster 10 d.
rected to rate and charge the postage.
If you become satisfied that any Post
Office is not Of public utility, and not re-
for the public accommodation, you
report thai fact and the reasons for
he opinion.
Upon the active e~xertion and vigilant
supervision of the Special Agents Of this
mainly depend the regularity,
and efficiency of mail transpor.
and | cannot too strongly impress
upon you the importance and high respon-
of your stations. 1t is to you tho
General must look for accu-
rate information upon all subjects pertain.
ing to the outdoor operations of the De-
partment. Give me your efficient aid,
and | do not despair of making the Post
Office Department e%minen,ly useful and
popular.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
c. A. ICkLIFT