The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-04-06
ALTERATIONS OF THE POST
OFFICE LAWS.

the IDSt OltSt AdWS iIdsc us 0oust~5
al its late session. Some OF them are
extremely onerous and absurd-ihat, Tor
instance relating to transient newspapers.
bv which II becomes necessary, before a
man can send a newspaper 10 a friend, TO
pay 3 cents postage. The provision OF
the law of 1916 allowing newspapers TO
90 free within 80 miles Of the place of
publication is abolished.
So saws the New York Tribune We
have examined two laws passed by %
gress relating to the Post Office. and in
neither of these is there a word about
abolishing tic free postage on newspa-
pers adopted by the law Of l645. Where
then is che authority for the Postmaster
Generals edict ON this subject. If there
be Sd law embracing s,lch a provision,
we have moi seen il. The laws we have
seen show a disposition to tax the people
10 extend more favors to the law makers,
who enjoy entirely too many already.
REGULATIONS of the Post Office Depart
ment for the enforcement OF the act, OF
Congress Of the LIST, I'd and Sd OF
March, 1877.
/. All deputy postmasters are author
lied to send through the mails, all letters
and packages O weighing over two oun-
ces which they have occasion 10 write or
send, relating 10 the business Of their Off
ces or OF the Post Office Department en-
dorsing thereon '-post Office business
and signing their names thereto. All
those whose compensation did not exceed
5000, for the year ending the Both of
June, 1916. may also send free through
the mails, letters written by themselves,
and receive free all written communion
tons, on their own private business, not
weighing over one half unc
9. Members Of Congress and Dele
gates from Territories may send and re-
ceive free, through the mails from thirty
DAYS before the Of each
Congress, until The meeting Of the ext
Congress, letters and packages not ex-
ceeding two ounces in weight and public
documents not exceeding three pounds in
weight. Public documents are those
printed by the order OF either house Of
Congress. and publications or books pro-
eured or purchased by Congress or either
house for the use Of the members.
3. The same privilege allowed to
members of Congress, extended TO the
Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of
the House Of Representatives during their
official terms which terminate with the
election of their successors.
4. The privilege Of the Vice Presi-
dent is enlarged SO that he may send and
receive free, public documents during his
official term.
). Persons entitled to the privilege
of ranking should endorse On all letters
or packages, weighing under two ounces.
Free and sign the same designating the
Office they fill; and all public documents
which exceed 2 ounces in weight should
be designated by writing the words pub
lie documents" issued from the public
offices in the city Of Washington and d.
rected 10 persons authorized 10 receive
them free, may be designated by a stamp
specifying the Office from which they is
sue, and the words "publlc documents"
or such other evidence Of their character
as may be agreed upon between them and
The postmaster of the city of Washing
on. Any document folded and sealed
and not having such evidence of its cha
racter on the envelope viii be rated with
postage, which will be RENTED by the
delivering post master, upon satisfactory
evidence that it is a public document,
transmissable free through the mails TO
the person addressed.
G.. All letters and packages from and
to the heads of departments, or the other
public officers who were entitled TO the
Thanking privilege prior 10 the passage of
the act of Sd Of March lS45, in relation
TO the business of their respective offices,
viii be delivered to the person addressed
without any charge of postage, as an APP
preparation has been made by Congress
for their payment. All letters and pack
ages issuing from the departments, should
be marked on the envelope official BUSH
ness and be signed by the heads of the
departments or under their direction, by
their chief clerks, and by the other Off
GERS who were entitled to the Thanking
privilege prior to the act of 1915 desig-
mating their official capacity. But such
officers have not the right TO send or re-
celve free. their private letters or papers.
z. All Newspapers transmitted through
the mails will be hereafter rated with pos
tage, except exchange papers between the
publishers of newspapers, and those
ranked by persons enjoying the privilege;
and contractors may take newspapers out
of the mails, for sale or distribution among
subscribers.
8. Transient Newspapers, or those
not sent from the office of publication to
subscribers, hand-bills or circular letters
printed or IthaCranbeJ rot oxcsad;,r