The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-29

improved but in many places lessened much, by want
Of official obligations secured through penalties ana hnes
forfeiture of valuable contracts and lucrative Offices
When the constitution of the United States was adopted
our experience colonies less than the experience OF
the mother country, had shown the great importance
therefore, OF placing the carriage of the mail IN the hands
of what was then the general government The hgh
estimate attached to the management OF the establish
ment in that way, under colonial existence will be
fully appreciated when recall TO your minds that 1t was
lnlrusted to such as DIR. Franklin, With what
delight if living, would he the lightning which
he drew from the clouds-eriput cello fuinen-used In
his favorte department. 10 transmit intelligence TO
mions-and this in minutes and seconds, rather than
weeks This establishment, consequently became, UNI
der the new constitution, matter OF grave public con-
Germ.
The trainers of the constitution proceeded expressly to
confer Congress the power "to establish post offices
and post roads" (Sec, sth, vol ~ Why, then, ques-
ton It's constutionaliy2 This paramount power,
whenever exercised by Congress- if not exclusive We
have already seen that in other way could be eff
Gent universal, economical, national Ii allowing the
States exercise like authority, after Congress had
made these more If allowing ndl
viduas TO do it at pleasure, whenever profitable, and
leave TO the general government only the burden OF the
mad, when unproftablei would from the start be ut
tery incapable of maintaining itself much less could
ever yield any income as a source OF pubic revenue.
1t thus throws into the hands OF the general govern
ment il should in all things, What national in its
extent and importance, and makes IT tributary, when
needed the public 1t renders the government,
likewise should be, Independent in war more parti
cuary less than in peace for the means oil sure and
speedy communication with It's armies, navies custom
houses and foreign corps besides its Legislative executive
and judicial functonares in ordinary times and on odi
nary topics.
for the before mentioned TO prohibit violations OF
this public establishment by private expresses no less
than TO impose penalties for distractions IN carrying the
mails, and for breaking open and proanng the confluence
of business and friendship under the sacredness OF seals
let me ask concluding these reviews, why should not
we, sworn supporters OF the laws and constitution OF
the general government, enforce them one and all Why
not a aw-abidng people, punish those who undertake
to disregard and break both'who set up their private
OF expedency against the constituted authorities
and sacrifice obedience to law, good example public safe
ty, economy and convenience, and cheap diffusion oil
the large scale of the Union, to the mis-
conceived small gains of few in limited sphere?
New England-the land of duty, of law, as well as
bertythe land OF order, sobrety and steady habits
should be the last either to violate public institutions
and public ordinances mlscalculate their real avana
and the last to counenance the escape OF those who
knowingly wantony perpetrate outrages upon them
The first specific offence against this establishment de-
serving public attention is any msbehavlor by deputy
postmasiers themselves
First in the natural order of these Offences is the brbe
ry of those deputies yield preferences to confer
gives and he that takes such brides is equally guilty, and
equally obnoxious to punishment for pervertng public
power to private gain. So illegal detention OF let
ter, If there be no bribery is made offence by the act
of July 30, 1896, and may be punished by fine OF $500,
or Imprisonment SIX months.
g. Next Is the illegal ranking OF letters by deputy
posmasters or others 1t is punished by the same act
with fine of 500 for each offence. Next, the conceal
ing matter in newspapers, to avoid postage
any person to open the mail who not duly empowered
and qualified to do it, may be fully in the act of
March 3d. 1925 The reason for this is not only the I'M
necessary exposure of the property in the mail to ire
sponsble depredatons but all the confidential matter to
the pryng curiosity of loafers and rivals and secet-ds
closing politicians.
t. The most common offence in these days, is that of
setting up any post for the conveyance of
letters and packets on any post road The penalty for
this, by the act of March 20, 1927 $50 for each let
packet This increased by the of the Sd of
March, 1915, to $3.50 for establishing any regular private
express for hire.
5. A branch of this Is the conveying of letters for
hire except on business connected with their freight
by steamboats, stages or other vehicles regularly plying
for each offence by X act OF March 30 1925, but trebed
by the act of 1915.
6. 1t is also punished by fine of $50 to send letter
ties exist; and knowingly TO carry agent with letters
on hand for hire is by the act of 1S45 made penal
T.. Akin TO this is the obstruction reardng of those
employed in transporting the mails, much of the
ulness OF this establishment depends its speed and
regularity The penalty for this is 500 for each offence,
by the act OF March 30, 1925.
s. Next specific penalties of fine and Imprisonment
imposed for inuding into the secrets of correspondence
by breaking seals or tearing open letters, whether mpe
led by the unsuitable curiosy-the Paul Pry monomana,
which oveooks the worst OF means in accomplishing its
Paltry espionage-or prompted by wish to gain some
thing from commercial information on new arrivals, or
hunting into political secrets and State AFFAIRS under the
impulse oil rvalshp unhoy spirit of party persecu-
ton 1t has been justly said, you may as well break
open my desk with mpunity as my letter In Italy the
sacredness of seals deemed important as to make
the breaking OF them once capital offence.
o. Another offence this subject is the larceny of let
tiers themselves, the mall and whether on the road or
a. post office This is punishable by fine not exceed
inc 81 900 and Imprisonment not beyond five years, by
the act of july 1896, and by the of 1925 somewhat
differently.
TO- And another is the theft of money or valuable pa
pers from letters with letters The penalty for this is
ten to tweny-one years Imprisonment.
IL. ramuiicaon OF this is to destroy or conceal
newspaper letter, which punishable by fine or i'm
prlsonment
H. Another branch of offence is to attempt to break
open or destroy mailbag. This is punished severely
by the act before named, of 1925 by fine from 100 500
dcars, and by Imprisonment to three years
- The last offence to which shall advert connected
with this subject robbery OF the mail or of the carrier
and which Is punished with imprisonment from five to
ten years for the first offence and for the second shall
forfeit life. So is the offence capital if committed with
dangerous weapon, to endanger the life of the carrier
or to wound him.
do not feel justified, gentlemen in OBTAINING you long
er on these matters If anything which have said on
this occasion shall lead you to approve higher our post
office establishment and appreciate favoraby in
uence society and the welfare of whole people
If any OF You by these ks shall be induced more
cordially and efficiently TO punish all wanton violations
OF the acts OF Congress- made 10 sustain it, and without
which must prove abortve and great public burden
on the treasury, well useless to the communty if
in short any of you will thus be led persuade others
TO rally stronger round the laws and the constitutions and
do their utmost to uphold both, the duty and the oaths
OF all OF us demand-ny purposes will be answered. and
my efforts to assist you this subject be abundany re-
warded.
BOSTON Aeademy's Collection of Church NIusic.-
ID Just received lot of the Boston Academys collection
church music, consisting of the popular psalm and
hymn tunes anthems, sentences chants, &c &c, togeh-
lIa.V HAN, al ,aaaA