Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1842-01-11
POST OFFICE CIRCULAR.

The IntSlGgencer contains the follow
ing circular; it possesses matters of
much interest TO The public:
TO the Post Masters throughout the
United Stdtes.-The multiplied and in.
creasing attempts to violate the law and
delraud the revenue, by writing on the
wrapper or margin of newspapers and
pamphlets sent by mail, enclosing memo.
randa or other things within them, under
scoring, dotting, or pricking letters or
words, and by various other devices, with
the view to evade the payment of legal
postage, force upon the Postmaster Gen
eral the necessity Ufdirecting me 10 call
the special attention of Postmasters 10
the unainchihg discharge of their duty
in this particular.
Che wrappers Of all transient paners
and pamphlets, which have reached their
destination, should be removed, and the
papers examined. Those used in the
manner above alluded TO, as the vehicles
of communication, should be charged,
ON delivery, with letter postage; ifrefused
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 postmarked, when
mailed, and marked with the rate of post
age. ..~
The Postmaster General cannot bring
himself to believe that the public senti-
ment, when we'll informed, will fail to
sustain you in the faithful discharge of
this duty, as imperative upon you as any
other.
By the law IF 1925 ''any memorandum"
in writing on newspaper or pamphlet,
subjects it 10 letter postage; and in the
opinion Of the Department any words,
however few, other than the name of the
person addressed, constitute "memo-
randum" within the meaning of the law.
The very great abuse eff the franklng
privilege, and the consequent loss to the
revenue Of the Department, and its de-
moraizing effect on the community, has
also attracted the attention of the Post
master General, and on this subject he
cannot burrepeat the language Of one OF
. his predecessors:
''It might be presumed that the high
character Of officers entitled to this priv
ilege would be guaranty ior its restrc'
ton within the limits Of the law; but it is
much TO be lamented, for the honor of our
country, no less than for the prosperity
of the department, that such has not al
wavs been the case. Letters to others
ure frequently enclosed 10 persons who
are entitled to the privilege of franklng,
and letters written by others are often
sent under their frank, in opposition to
the expressed letter Of the law There
is cause 10 apprehend that postmasters
have, IN some instances, been guilty OF
this fraud upon the revenue. This evil,
unless It shall find a remedy in the vigi.
liant and energetic cooperation of post
masters with the head of the department
must tend to paralyze all tseoPerations
1t is therefore expected that you will
watch, with the utmost care, against this
unlawful practice; and whenever you
have cause for suspicion, use all Lawful
means TO obtain evidence against the of.
fender. Let no effort be remitted, let nc
dignity OF station deter you; but, howev
er exalted may be the rank Of the oftice'
who shall violate the law in the abuse
Of franking privilege, never fail tt
enforce the penalty by legal process, aGf
repOrt each case 10 the department. II
ali lawful efforts 10 carry into effect th'
provisions Of the law against such as shal
incur ifs penalties, you will be sustained
By the department; but no postmaster. cal
expect 10 retain the confidence oi tn
department who shall wantonly vioIat
his franking privilege, or who knowlngi
shall suffer il in others with impunlty,"
The vast amount Of service whic b In
mail establishment is compelled TO pei
form by the existing laws without any r
mOnefation, and the many addition
mail facilities which the public voiC
daily calls Tor, render it absolutely n
ceasargs mt only that every dollar Of lav
fnl revenue shall be- collected and a
counted for, but thai. frauds and leaks
llkinds be prevented, .esBl ,t,a sscsaA