Mobile register and journal., 1845-03-15
TIE POSTAGE REFORM BILL,

The Post Office law whnh passed both Houses of Congress, and signed by the late Acting President says the New fnk Courier, contains 2l sections, of which the provisions are briefly these :-
 l. Alter the Isl oi July next. all sing letters are to be charged trs cents for transmission under SOO miles, and tn cents for over that distance. Double letters pay double price treble letters treble price, &c Letters weighing less ihan half ounce are 10 be accounted single, and every additional half onHce IS to be charged additional single postage Drop letters pay two cents, aud letters adverIised i are 10 pay the cost nf advertisement 2. Newspapers of 1900 square inches or less go free within 30 miles of where they printed for greater distances they subject l0 the rates o the law of 1925. and newspapers of greater size to pay the rates charged upon magazines and panph- lets.
 3. Circulars. handbils. &c., printed on single cap paper or no larger, and unseaed pay ttro eens eath whatever distance they may be sent; pamphlets, magazines, Sc. pay and [ cents per copy of an ounce weight, less, and cent additional for each additional ounce, whatever be the distance {; and fractional exeesses over an ounce, of not less than half onnce, to be charged full ounces 4. The Postmaster General, in case of an over | loaded or retarded ma is authorised to send the letter mail al it's usual speed by separate convey | ance.
 5. All the frankIng provisions of former acts are repealed, [though restnrcdb by subsequent sections 6. All officers of the Government are to keep ac- count of postage payable by them on mail kmatter,
 uchng the business of their offices, and these are 10 be i'd quarierl, ofhe contingent fund of the department to which they belong. The three Assis- ant M G.'s, have the frank'ne privilege .on all letters touching their business and are required 10 endorse all letters official busIness; and are 10 pay $3O0 for ever, such endorsement falsely made. De- pniy Posmasers have the same privilege under the same restrictions and penalties. When the comins- sions of any Postmaster less than S25 per annuln | they may be n reased hy the Postmaster General, not to exceed 50 per cent the letter postage re- al,n la all lr tt,I | are to be psd from the contingent fund of the TWO Houses and he Departments, or in default thereci, l from the U. s Treasury.
 ' Public Documents may be transmitted by State l Governors, Members of Congress, Delegates from Territories, the Secretary of the Senate -a d Cle k | of the House, free of postage, as heretofore. g. The same persons may send or receive, during the recess letters weighing less than two heretofore; and postage cha,grahle letters tourh- | ing official business, and weighing more than two ounces, ls tu be pad from the contingent funds oi | Congress.
 9 No person shall in any way, be instrumental l in conveying mail ron,es, ou of Ihe mail any | mailabe matter except newspapers pamphlets, mag az,nes and periodicals; and every person offending aga,nsl this provision. directly or indirectly, IS to forfeit $l00 for each offence.
 10 Boats, stages, cars, &c. are prohibited from | conveying letters any other marketable matter with lhs before specified exceptions, and except such letters may relate to some part of ihe cargo articles conveyed, under the penalty of lO0 to bt | paid by the driver, captain, conductor, Sc. | II. Owners of conseyances are subjected io the same penalties, for transporting persons acting as | private expresses, as the persons the,nselves-bu nothing m the act is 10 be construed as prohibiting | the conveyance of letters or packages by pripat, hands, when no compensation I rendered. or by special passenger employed for the single occasion
 l2 All persons who shall qtfer the passage of h' act ranSmit by any prohibited pryale express mail. able matter, or place at any designated spo del'r such matter for such transpsrtation forfeit for eacl offence $50
 provided by the act of 1925, prov ded they de.
 vered on arryal. To the authorized agent of Ilt Port Office Depa tment, who shall charge upon them ordinary postage; and no Postmaster shall receive to be conveyed b, mail, any packet weighing | pounds.
 IA The Postmaster General has power to con tract with steamboat owners, for extra occasions without the previous advertisements required by law provided the price to be paid does not exceed the average nte.
 15. Mailable matter is defined: and it does not in clude books, magazines, pamphlets, or newspapers not directed nor lnendeds for distI IIbutoA to sub scribers, but for sale merchandise.
 l6. Forging, or uterng stamps provided for in this law, is declared 10 be felony and subject the offender 10 imp, sonment for not less than six months, more than five years, and 10 fine of ho over S5O00
 IF. Newspapers are defined, and free exchange is allowed as heretofore
 J8, All penalties and forfeitures incurred undel this act go, half to the informer and prosecutor ana the other half 10 the Cover nment and all causes o action may be sued before the Judicial Courts, of the States and Territories.
 l9. Mail contracts are to be given tn the lowest bidder, and advertisements of letters uncalled for to be made in the newspapers having the largest circu laton. the fact to be decided by evidence
 20. The P. M General is to divide lhe railroad route into three classes according 10 the size of the malis the speed with which they are to be conveyed and the importance of Ihe service: and for convey ance roads of the first class than S20O per mile per aunuIn: on the second class not over Sl00: and ihe third class $50, shall be pad And the service be obtained for these rates provisions may be made for separating the letter from the general mail and for the proper conveyance of each portion. 2l. All causes of action under this act may be sued before any Circuit or District Court of the U S. or of the District of ofCoumbia, or the U. s. Ter. rltories.
 22. The sum of s750 000 is appropriated to sup ply any possible deficiency in the revenue of the De pertinent under the operation of the law
 23. Any far her deficiency IS to he paid out o moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropria l ted
 24 The franking privilege of the widows o | Madison and Harrison is continued.