The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-16
News from Europe.


We referred TO the new Post Office laws that
were passed by Congress at the close of the last
session, and to the regulations which have been
adopted by the Postmaster General, under those
laws, in all article in yesterdays Herald We re-
cur to the subiec, to-day to point out another be-
neht from these laws, which escaped our atien-
lion at the time
The community know very well hat the mail
department of our government has been IN q
deplorable state Of irrssularity for TWO more
Fears past. Letters and newspaper. deposited in
the post offices in large cities have, durng that
time, remained sometimes twelve, twenty-four
and thry-sx hours, before being sent on their
Journey; and Wien they did reach their destna-
ions they were, of course, frequently two and
three days behind the time when they should heye
arrived there This evil was acknowledged 10
exist by the postnas,ers themselves, in m any in
s,ancss, and aggravated by the negligence OF mail
Coatractors, but they knew no remedy that was
IN their power 10 apply Under tho cheap post
age law, the bulk OF correspondence increased
tg'o aud three fold TO what il was under the old
law. The business. Of the deputy post offices, Of
course increased ia the same ratio, and eqUired
more clerk labor Notwithstanding this increase,
tue commissions II the postmasters decreased,
rea1aiied he same, and the same amount OF clerk
labor that existed under the old law obliged
10 pc form the increased business of the post Of.
fee under the new law.
TINS was one OF the causes Of the irregu arity
of the mails, have been frequently in
formed by the postmasers, but it appears by
the law recently passed, that it will b obvated
il The future, because the commissions of the
postmasters are increased TO amount, that
will enable them to employ abundant labor to
perform the du les of their respective offices.
unde the new law thew are allowed forty per cent
on receipts when amounting to one hundred dol
lars per annum ; thirythree and one third on
sums between hundred and four hundred
thirty per cent on sums between four hundred
and twenty. four hundred, and twelve and half
per cent on all sums over twenty. four hundred,
On newspapers, pamphlets, SC, the rate is fifty
per cent.
These are very liberal commissions, and will
enable every postmaster to hire such additional
assistance as will enable him 10 attend to the du-
ties of his office perfectly The excuse that post
masters cannot attend to their duties is now
therefore removed, and they must hereafter
be held responsible for failures and irregularities.
Sach OF our subscribers as do not receive the
Herald regularly, will look to the postmaster of
their town or village, for the future. They may
feel assured that no pains will be spared on our
part to have them sent regularly. We have
mailing department separate and distinct from the
remaining branches of our establishment, which
gives constant employment to eight clerks, and
their assistants. These clerks are young men of
experience in that business, and who, we are
satisfied, attend strictly to their business.
The mails must now be strictly watched.