Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-02-03

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lected Secretaries.
@. M Yorks was elected corresponding Sec.
retary
Charles J Bruner was elected Treasurer.
Here followed the names of the members.
On motion, adjourned to meet at the Court
House on the first Monday in February
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Post Onice R.form---Mr. NIerriclxs Bill.
The following is an abstract ofthe bill recently
introduced into the Senate by Mr.. Merrick. The
bill has been read twice and referred to the Com
mttec on the Past-oiFice and Post-roads
SIC. proposes rate of postage "upon all
letters, newspapers, pamphlets magazines and
other matters. and things conveyed in the mails
OF the United States Letters not exceeding
holfan ounc" in weight 10 pay for any dis
tancr not exceeding hundred miles FIRE cents
fot all distances exceeding 100 miles, tn cents
and no more. Upon letters weighing more than
! and not more than ! OF any ounce" the above
rato. are doubled; cxccrding / and under an
ounce. the rates are trcblrd and an additional
charge oi or 10 cents is TO br imposed for every
quarter of an ounce excess in weight a. the case
may be-
SIC. ? provides that all newspapers of no
greater superiiccs than 1925 square inches, may
b. transmitted free Of postage to persons within
tn" county where th" paper is printed; if sent
to persons beyond the limits of the county a
postage of half cent for any distance not cx.
cccding 100 miles and cent for all greater dis
tanc" The editors publishers are to keep a
register of all papers subject TO postage. sent by
/ mail and return the same periodically to the
! Postmaster General, which shall be his authori-
! ~ for charging the Postmastrrs in charge of tn"
Offices 10 which the papers sent, with the a.
mount Of postage. Publishers neglrctng or re-
fu>ing 10 make such returns are TO have their
papers subjected TO the old rates. Upon all
newspapers of greater size than 1925, the present
rats of postage are to be paid; but onr cent
additional is to b. charged for every go square
! inch above the excess of 1925 inches.
/ SEC. relates to pamphlets. magazines peri
odicals, and all other description of printed mat.
ter, except n"wSpap each copy not weighing
more than ounce, is 10 pay ,! cents for any dis
tancc under lG0 miles ) cents for greater l
cent additional for every additional ounce Froc-
tional rxccsses in weight to be charged as full
weight
SEC. gives power TO tn" Postmaster General,
/ if the paper mail becomes so great as 10 threaten
TO rctard materially the progress of the letter
/ mail, or TO any considerable augmentation
in the costs of transporting the whole mail at the
present rate of speed. Ia carry the paper mail by
separate conveyance. regard being had TO the
cost and the means al his disposal
SEC. proposes to repeal all laws at variance
with the bill.
Sc, requires all Government officers of the
I United States, who have the privilege of frank
ing, To keep an account of their franks. and what
they receive under them, which account is to be
audited and paid quarterly out of the contingent
fund of th'ir respective departments. The three
Assistant PoStrnasters General To have their
postag" rcnittrd by the Postmaster in Washing
ton. They must endorse all free letters with the
words ''oflicia business - false endorsements TO
be punished by fine of $50 and instant disns-
sal; corresponding provisions made in rcla-
tion TO Deputy Pos,maSters.
Sec. gives the irankng privilege To the Pro-
sidrnt, the Vice President, all Ex-Presidcnts the
dents. the Secretaries of STATE, Of the Treasury,
of War, Of thr Navy, the Postmaster General,
and the Attorney General. Documents printed
by Concres. are still to be frankcd
Sec. sproposes that members Of Congress, the
Secretary of the Senate, and the Clerk Of the
House OF Representatives, shall continu" 10 re-
ccive letters and papers, not over two ounces in
weight, free. Over two ounces. il relating their
official duties to be paid ont of the contingent fund
of the house.
Sec. 0proposrS that members Of Congress shall
have five free stamps or envelopes da " instead
of the franking privilege which shall free letters
not over half an ounce.
Sec 10 imposes penalty Of $3.50 upon any
person conveying letters by private express.
Private expresses to be unlawful,
Sec. II iorbids tho owners of any conveyance
whatever engaged on post route where there
is regular mail, TO carry letters or other malta
Bile matter under penalty of 100 the conduc-
tors or drivers to forfeit $50.
Sec. IL is a similar clause TO the last but has
special relation to the proprietors conductors
ofeonveyances, knowingly carrying any person
in charge Of an express.
Sec. IL proposes hne of $50 upon all persons
sending mailable matter BY private express or
. other means contrary 10 law.
. Sec, II, Foreign ships are forbidden 10 convey
mailable matter between one port and another in