Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-07-05
FROM "THE UNION"

THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE
The subject Of the ranking privilege, under the recent and
former post office laws, may be regarded science How
far utterly abrogaed" and how far is only restricted
may be leaned in the following compendium, which has been
prepared BY the Postmaster of this City for the instruction Of
his clerks
The Vic. President members of Congress- and Delegates
have the right of ranking and receiving free letters
newspapers and packets by mall under the former laws
with the exceptions embraced In the following restrictive pro-
visions
T. They receire letters newspapers packets free
for mDre than thirty days before their first session, nor
more than thirty days after the end of their last session
and can only send free written letters from them
selves during the full period authorized by law, to
wit from sixty days before their first session to the
meeting of the next Congress.
H. The right Of transmitting documents free (prnted by or
der Of Congess) ceases with the end OF their service as
members, &c. on the Sd of March after which they
them only by the frank of their secretary or
clerk.
III The Secretary Of the Senate and Clerk of the House
only send and receive free any letter. newspaper, OF
packet exceeding t,Oo in ,oegr during each
session. and for thirty days before and thirty days ate
each session and may frank written letters for them
selves during their official service, besides printed docu
Inv. ~ sewer d,sa = ~ PvussG r - ssuus = VI
Psssi3su and epsskg ~ ~ Hooe q hspWlfvs
10 ssnd and rsosve fiss pa1ss exceeding fp osnoes 4
- q ssisss sluogaleh lsxcse nEn1aa aecn
two ounces on any masters Or things rscsvsd during -
session." &c. by any member, &c. touching his ON
cial or Legislative dues shall be paid out Of the contn
gent fund Of the House to which the member receiving
them belongs
w. No executive officer except the President Of the Uniet
States has tho ranking privilege authorized By
law.
The three Assistant Postmasers General have eac,
the power to send free letters packets, &c relating
exclusively TO his official duties the business Of the
Post Office Department" endorsing thereon "c6ciai
business" and they entitled to have RENTED all
postage charged matters received by them "touchng
the business Of the Post Office Department the parti
cuar branch Of that business committed to them respec
lively"
And deputy postmasters have the power, I'm To-
Gde,a rerbis) but without the old restriction to
weight; endorsing each packet :" Post Office bust
ness !" and the right of remission similar matters
cieved upon verifcaon oath of their accounts for
the same, and the transmission of the charged letters
vouchers"
VI No adutant general of State other general officer OF
the militia retains any ranking privileges but the go
vernors may send free their laws, records and docu-
ments other State Executives, provided by law
Ex-Presdents and their widows retain the franking
privilege
VII Editors may exchange their newspapers Free
provided and moreover send them by mail free to their
subscribers within thirty miles distance, computed by the
mail route But all newspapers the size Of 1000
square inches spread out. 9. two pages, including
margin--are subject to pamphlet postage by weight
N B. The conveyance of any letters, packets or packages
Of letters any mail route, &c. out of the mail, is
prohibited under penalties by this law but all
snewspapers pamphlets magazines and periodicals, /"
bound books of any sze," and bank notes in
bundles without written letters expressly excepted
from these penalties and ESQ far this law is afected)
may be conveyed transported out OF the mail without
let or hndrance