Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-07-19
THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE.


The subject oil the Thanking privilege, under
the recent post-ofice laws, may be regarded
as a science. How far it is "utterly abroga.
ted," and how far it is only restricted, may be
learned in the following compendium, which
has been prepared by the postmaster OF this
city for the instruction OF his clerks.
The Vice President members Of Congress,
and delegates, have the same rights Of frank
ing and receiving free letters or newspapers,
and packets by mail, as under the former laws,
with the exceptions embraced IN the follow
ing restrictive provisions:
|. They cannot receive letters, newspapers, or
packets free, for more than thirty days be-
fore their first session, nor more than thirty
days after the end Of their last session; and
can only send free "written letters from
themselves" during the full period now au
thorized by law, to wit: from sixty days be-
fore their first session, TO The meeting Of The
next Congress.
II. The right Of transmitting documents,
(printed, by order of Congress, ceases with
the end of their service as members, &c, Oh
the Sd Of March, they can receive them on
ly by the frank Of their Secretary or clerk.
Ill. The Secretary Of the Senate and clerk Of
the House, can only send or receive free
"any letter, newspaper, or packet not ex>
ceedng ttco ounces in neight," during each
session, and for thirty days before, and thirty
days after each session; and may frank "writ-
ten letters for themselves" during their off.
cial service; besides printed documents.
w. The power given 10 the President of the
Senate and Speaker OF the House Of Repre-
sentaives, to send and receive free, packets
| exceeding tho ounces in weight, is 'utterly
abrogated" Except printed documents;) bu,
| the postage charged for any excess above
| two ounces, on "any matters or things re-
lived during any session." sc, by any mem
Der, &c, "touching his official or legislative
duties, shall not be paid out of the contin-
gent fund Of the house" to which the mem
Der receiving them belongs.
V. No executive officer, except the President
Of the United States, has the Thanking privi-
lege as now authorized by law.
The three Assistant Postmasters General
have each the power to send free, letters.
packets, &C., "relating exclusively to his Off
cial duties, or the business Of the Post Office
Department." endorsing thereon "oficial b.
SineSs;" and they are entitled to have remit>
ted all postags charged on matters received
by them, "touching the business Of the Pos
Office Department, or the particular branch
OF that business committed 10 them respec
lively"
And deputy postmasters have the same
power, lin totidem uerbis,) but without the
old restriction as to weight; endorsing there
on "PoSt Office BUSINESS" and the right OIL
remission on similar packets received, .'upor
yerifcation on oath OF their accounts for the
same, and transmission Of the charge let
tiers or vouchers"
VI. No adjutant general of State or other
general officer Of the militia, retains any
lrankng privilege; but the governors may
send free their laws, records, and documents
TO other State executives, as now provided
by law.
Ex-Presidents and their widows to retair
the franking privilege.
VII. Editors may exchange their newspapers
free as now provided; and, moreover sent
them by mail free, to their subscribers with
in thirty miles distance computed by The mai
route. But all newspapers over the sze o
1900 square inches spread OUT. e. two
| pages, including margn-are subject tc
/ pamphlet postage by weight.
| N. b. The conveyance OF any letters packets
or packages Of letters, over any mail route
out Of the mail, is prohibited under severe
penalties by this law; but all newspapers
pamphlets, and magazines, and periodicals,
"bound book Of any size" and "bank note
sent in bundles without written letters" arr
expressly excepted from these penalties
and $50 far as this law is atfected) may b.
corveycd) or transported out of the mail
without let or hindrdnce.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT, June l6, 1915.