The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-07
CIRCULAR.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, !
September 4, 1850. (


September 4, 1850
A n EXAMINATION of the post bills, accounts of
"A mails sent and received, and of the accounts OF
postmasers has disclosed the fact that the published
regulations are continually disregarded This viola
ton of the regulations is attempted 10 be excused by
many postmastcrs, by alleging that their predc-
ccssors and others have, for a long period, been
permitted TO practise II without ccusurc. After
the end Of the present quarter such excuse will
be admitted. Postmasters arc expected 10 make
themselves thoroughly acquainted with their duty,
and 10 that the printed regulations strictly
followed by all persons in their employment e1-
cept only in where different instructions have
been specially given.
Every postmaster, or other officer Of the Depart.
mcnt, Is required TO report 10 the Postmaster Cen
eral every violation OF the law or regulations on
the part Of any other postmaster or officer OF the
Department; and every postmaster is especially d.
rected 20 sond TO this office all letters circulars
which have been o shall he sent him by any other
postmaster in regard TO the mailing or distribution
Of letters, or any change in The practise Of hs
office.
Special agents Of the Department arc required to
report every postmaster at any important Office
who docs not personally supcrintcnd its business
All postmssters whose commissions are sufficient
to allow the employment Of clerks are especially
cautioned not TO employ more than are necessary
TO tho prompt despatch " the business Of their re-
spectiye office, nor to pay oStravagant salsr's.
Such salaries will secure the beet services Of com
petent and faithful clerks may be allowed, subject
to the limitation prescribed by law. All commits
sions which are not needed 70 defray necessary
expenses 10 be faithfully accounted for.
Postmasters will see that the mail arrangements
Of the Department are faithfully executed. They
will promptly report every variation from them,
with the name OF the contractor who makes II, e.
pccially where different dave for the mail trips or
a different mode Of conveyance, may have been
substituted. They will alsO report all defects Of
arrangements in the days aud hours Of departure
and arrival, and also every disconncKion Of ono
route with another.
The slst regulation must be observed, and in
furhcrance of IL, distributing post Offices will mail
matter received from other offices for distribution
direct 20 the office addrcsscd and will bag the pac
age to the proper distributing separating office,
40 that the Department shall in case be charged
with commissions for double distribution.
POstmasters should not mail letters direct
packages eastward" westward" "nortbern,"
or southern" or by any similar designation. All
letters are 10 be mailed, and packages 10 be adj
dressed to particular Office, directed by section
81 Of the Regulations; and whenever, after the let
October, 1850 letters arc received at distributing
Office which have been Improperly sent 90 such Ot.
hce for Distribution are distributed there In con-
sequence Of not being addressed 10 a particular Of
fee, the postmaster at such distributing Office is
directed TO notify the postmaster who mailed such
letters, and report the facts 10 this office, as re.
quircd by the Hath regulation and this require.
ment to notify and report is hereby extended to
every where letter IL sent 20 an Office tor dis
tribution, when IL should, under the regulations
have been mailed and sent direct, or TO any other
distributing office.
The attention Of postmastors is particularly called
TO the regulations in regard to drop letters pre-
paid newspapers, circulars, pamphlets, and period
icals, and TO the mailing Of letters, &c, con-
tanned in chapters 9, 10, H. 10, IS, and u, Of the
published regulations.
The late addition to the number Of the clerks Of
this department has enabled the Postmaster Cen
era to establish separate bureau for the constant
thorough, and systematic examination of the poet
bills and accounts Of pOstmastcrs; and II Is hoped
that this, with the reports OF irregularities how
required from posmastcrs and other agents Of the
department, aud from the auditor and examiners
in his Oficc, will, in great degree, secure the de-
partmont against the violation Of instructions and
other abuses n. X. HALL,
Sept 6-3t Postmaster General.