Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-02-21
The Post Office Bill q 1t passed the Senate.
A0cTUACr

form, and ) cents for all distances for eve
ry single letter, and double. and treble and
quadruple these rates for two, three or four
sheets; one half an ounce is to be deemed
single letter, between one half an ounce
and one ounce is to be deemed a double
letter. Drop letters are to be charged 2
cents each, and advertised letters are TO
have the charge of two cents for the adver-
tisement added to the postage.
Sec. 2. All newspapers Of no greater
size than 1900 square inches may be trans
mitted 80 miles free Of charge, and for
greater distances one half cent for distan-
ces of 100 miles, and one cent for all grea-
ter distances. Newspapers OF greater size
than 1900 square inches are to be charged
the same rates of postage as are presented
by this actt be charged on magazines and
pamphlets.
Sec. 3. Printed or Autographed matter,
circulars, hand bills, advertisements, or
:. qnarto post or cap paper folded, directed
and inserted are to be charged cents for
any distance. Pamphlets, magazines and
periodicals of no greater size are to pay d
cents for no greater weight than l ounce,
for distances Of 100 miles, and one cent for
each additional ounce. Fractional excess
ses of not less than one half an ounce shall
pay for the full ounce.
Sec. 4. In case of emergency the Post
master General is authorized to detach the
letter from the Printed mail in order to OBJ
tain greater speed for the former.
Sec. 9Th and 9th. Franking is abolished,
except upon letters written and received by
members Of Congress letters received
and written by Ex-Presidents, Mrs. Mad
lson, and Mrs. Harrison. Public docu-
ments is the only printed matter which can
be franked except during the session OF
Congress, and for 80 days before and after
the session. Letters may be franked du-
ring the year.
Sec. 18th and 9Th. The Departments and
Bureaus are to have their postage paid from
the contingent fund assigned them, and the
three Assistant Postmaster Generals are to
send out any thing free of postage which
,, :eates to, and is marked official business
and country postmasters are TO have per
centage or pay not less than $50 per an
mum.
Sec. 9th. Private expresses are prohib-
tied from carrying any letters, packets. or
packages of letters, or maiIable matter, ex~
cept newspapers, periodicals, and pamph-
lets, and for every offence the penalty shall
be $3.50.
Sec. 10, l l and IL, declare that it shall
not be lawful for any stage, coach, railroad
car, steamboat, packet boat, or other vehi-
Gle or vessel, running between any places
Which enjoy mail facilities, to carry mail
able matter, with tue exception of newspa-
pers, pamphlets, magazines, and periodi-
Gals, under a penalty of $50, both to the
agents and owners and all in any way con-
cerned in violating the law; Provided, that
nothing in these sections shall be construed
TO prevent the transmission gratis of letters
or packages by private hand, or by spe-
cial messenger employed only for the sim
gle particular occasion.
Sec. 18th, allows steamboats, to take let
ters and packages weighing less than three
pounds, on condition Of delivering them
over to the postmaster or other authorized
agent of the department at the port or place
where they may be directcd-the same
postage to be charged on such letters and
packages as if they were conveyed in the
mail.
Sec. Id. The Postmaster General is au-
thorized to make special contract for car
rying the mails upon the Western waters
for specified time, but not to be paid be-
You'd the price allowed for transmitting the
mail.
Sec. 18th declares that the terms mail
able natter &C., shall be deemed and ia
ken to mean, all letters and newspapers,
and all magazines and pamphlets periodi-
cally published, or which may be publish
ed IN regular series or in successive num-
bers, under the same title, though at IRE.
gular intervals, and all other written or
printed matter, whereof each copy or num-
Der shall not exceed ounces in weight,
except bank notes sent in packages or bun
dies, without written letters accompanying
them bound books not included. The act
is not to be SO construed as to prohibit any
person from transporting, over any mail
route, any books, magazines, pamphlets,
or newspapers, not marked, directed, or
intended for immediate distribution to sub
scribers or others, but intended for sale as
merchandise, and sent or consigned to
some bona hde dealer or agent for the sale
thereof.
Section 18th forbids any person to forge
the stamps Or envelopes ofthe Department.,