The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-20

wrappers from transient papers and examine them IN
reference to frauds on the revenue as TO ascertain
whether letters be single or double, whether the
postage be correctly charged Nothing can be more
unjust than to censure Postmaster for vigilance in
| this branch Of his duty.n
5. al Uriting on Newspapers, &c. prohibited ercept
The direeton-Eyery person is prohibited from writ
ing any thing whatever on newspaper or pamphlet,
or either the inside or outside OF the wrapper
Even his the initials of it, or anu thing
else chateuer is prohibited except the direction under
a penalty Of fpe dollars. Besides the particular in
sructons on this head the following Circular g To
the Postmasters throughout the United States" has
been received.
| "The multiplied and increasing attempts to violate
the law and defraud the revenue by writing on the
wrapper margin OF newspapers and pamphlets
sent by mail, enclosing memoranda or other things
within Them understanding, dottng, prcking letters
words and by various other Devices with the view
to evade the payment Of legal postage, force upon the
Postmaster General the necessity of directing me TO
call the special attention of Postmasters to the un-
fnching discharge of their duty in this particular.
The wrappers Of all transient papers and pamph-
lets, which have reached their destination, should be
removed and the papers examined. Those used in
the manner above alluded to, the vehicles of COM
muncation, should be charged, delivery with let
ter POSTAGE II refused or not taken out, they should
be returned to the Office where first mailed, and the
Postmaster there, should invariably collect the legal
penalty of FIVE DOLLARS, of the person who
committed the offence Such papers should be
stamped, when mailed, and marked with the rate Of
! postage.
The Postmaster General cannot bring himself to
believe that public sentiment, when well informed
will fail to sustain you in the faithful discharge Of
this duty, as imperative upon you any other
" BY the law of 1926 amy memorandum in writing
on newspaper pamphlet, subjects il to letter post
age; and IN the opinion of the Department any words
however few, other than the Of the person adj
dressed, constitute memorandum within the mean
ing of the law"
g. Uha letters to printers may be franked by Post
nGsers.-"A Postmaster may enclose money in a
letter to the publisher of newspaper, to pay the sub
scripon OF third person, and frank the letter, if
written signed by himself, but if the letter be
signed by another person the postmaster cannot frank
it. But this is service not required Of him, and he
may perform il a matter of courtesy or decline it,,
| at his option. Such letters should contain only and
relate solely to the Transmission of money from in
dvidual subscribers to publishers of newspapers, and
not the collections of agents others and they
should not cover correspondence on any other sub
ject whatever.
T. "PaStage required on all Handbiiis, Circulars, Sc
sent TO Postnasiers 1t is the practice of many to ad
dress their handbills to Postmasters by which
they give them extensive circulation free of post
age This Is an abuse which must be corrected.
In every instance where you receive communication
addressed to you Postmaster, which is of private
character and designed to promote private interest,
with evident intention Of giving circulation to it
without paying postage, you will return the same to
the person who sent it, under new envelope, with
the charge of letter postage endorsed"
g. "Forearding hierS.-Orders to forward letters
should be in writing, and filed by you This direc-
ton applies in all cases be the distance small or
great"
8 "Postmaslers, Clerks and Assistants are by law
exempt from Militia duty, or from serving on Jurles,
or from any fine or penalty for neglect thereof"
A5Editors throughout the Union will please copy