The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-28

The following 10 an abstract OF the bill recently
introduced into the Senate by Mr.; Merick, to
which we have several times alluded in previous
numbers. The bill has been read twice and re-
ferred TO the Committee on the Post Office and
Post Roaos. II contains IL sections.
The title of the proposed measure is, ga Bill TO
reduce the rates Of postage, to limit the use and
correct the abuse of the ranking privilege, and for
the prevention Of frauds. on the revenues Of the
Post Office Department"
SEC J. proposes q rate Of postage 'upon all letters
newspapers pamphlets and other matters and
things in the mails Of the United States Let
tiers exceeding half In weight 70 pay Tor
any distance not exceeding hundred miles five cents
for all distances exceeding 100 miles, ten cent? and nc
than OF an ounce the above rates doubled exceed
and under the rates arc trebed and an I'D
dona charge Of 10 cents is to be imposed Tor every
quarter of an ounce in weight the may be-
SEC provides that all newspapers Of no greater super
fees than 1925 square inches may be transmitted free Of
postage within the county where the paper Is
printed persons hey the limits Of the county
postage cent for distance not exceeding 100
miles and cent for all greater distances The editors OF
publishers keep register Of ell papers subject to
postage sent by mail and return the same periodically to
charging the Postmasers charge Of the Offices to which
the papers sent with the amount OF postage Publish
negectng or refusing TO make such returns are TO
have their papers subjected to the old rates Upon all
greater size than 1896 the rates OF
postage to be paid but cent additional is to be
charged $50 square inches above the excess Oh
SEC relates pamphlets magazines periodicals and
all other description: Of printed ms:s except nsw:ps
pay q cents Tor any distance under lo0 miles cents for
greater cent additional for every additional ounce
Fractional nweght to be charged AZ full weight
SEC 4 gives power to the Postmaster General, II the
paper mail becomes great as to threaten to rea ma
terisy the progress the letter mail or to cause any
considerable in the costs of transporting the
whole mail at The present rate Of speed carry me paper
nd tha at his
SEC proposes to repeal all laws al variance VIII" III"
States who have the privilege OF frankng to keep an &C.
count Of their franks and what they receive under tne
which account IL to be audited and paid quarterly out OF
the contingent fund Of their respective departments Inc
three Assistant Postmasters General TO have their post
ages RENTED by the Postmaster In washington, iney
endorse all free letters with the words official ns
ness false endorsements to be punished by me OF S9o
and instant dismissal Corresponding provisions are made
in relation to Deputy Posmasters.
SEC gives the franking privilege the President the
Vice President, all Ex.Presdents, the widow OF any Ex
President all ExVice Presidents the Secretaries OF State
Of the Treasury of war Of the Navy the Postmaster e
neral and the Attorney General Documents printed ny
Congress still to be ranked.
proposes that members Of Congress- the Secretary
Of the Senate and the Clerk of the House OF
ives shall continue to receive letters and papers moi
two in weight free. Over two ounces, re-
ang to their official duties to be paid out Of the contin
gent fund Of the house.
SEC proposes that members Of Congress shall have
Ave stamps envelopes daily instead Of the frankng
privilege which shall free letters not over half an ounce
SEC 10 imposes penalty of $3.50 upon any person con-
veyng letters by private express Private expresses to
he unlawful
Sec. II orbids the owners Of any conveyances what
ever engaged post route, where there is regular
mail to carry letters other maahle matter under pc
naty Of $780, the conductors drivers 10 forfeit 500
SEC - similar clause 10 the last but has special
relation to the propretors conductors Of conveyances
knowingly carry ing any person in charge Of
SIC l3 proposes fine Of $50 upon all persons sending
maiabe matter ny private express other means contra
~ TO law. 49,
SEC a. foreign ships forbidden TO convey mailable
between port and another in the United States
under penalty Of $500
SEC u.s. the Of relating to the conveyance or
transportation of letters by steam boats not repealed BY
this act.
SEC. l6 empowers the Postmaster to contract for the
conveyance OF the mail on the Western waters.
Sec II, Interpretation clause.