The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-09-15
The New Postage Law.

An act to amend the act entitled. "An act
to reduce and modify the rates of postage
in the United States, and for other purpo-
ses," passed March third, eighteen hun
dred and fifty one.
BE u enacted by the Senate and House
Of Representatives of the United States in
Congress assembled,
That from and after the thirtieth day of
September, eighteen hundred and fifty-two
the postage upon all printed matter, pass
ing through the mail of the United States,
instead of the rates now charged, shall be
as follows, to wit: Each newspaper, peri
odical, unseaed circular, or other article of
printed matter, not exceeding three ounc-
es in weight, shall be sent to any part of
the United States for cent and for eve
ry additional ounce, or fraction of an ounce,
one cent additional shall be charged, and
when the postage upon any newspaper or
periodical is paid yearly or quarterly in
advance, at the office of delivery, or
where the same is mailed, and evidence of
such payment is furnished to the office of
delivery, in such manner as the Post-office
Department shall, by general regulation,
prescribe, one-half of SAID rate only shall
be charged. Newspapers and periodicles,
not weighing over one ounce and half,
when circulated in the State where pub
lished, shall be charged one-half of the
rates before mentioned: Provided, That
small newspapers and periodiclcs, publish
ed monthly or oftener, and pamphlets not
containing more than lG octave pages,
when sent in single packages, weighing at
least eight ounces, to one address, and pre-
paid by atiiXing postage stamps thereto,
shall be charged only half a cent for each
ounce or fraction of an ounce, notwithstan-
ding the postage calculated on each sepa-
rate article of such package would exceed
that amount. The postage on all tran
sient matter shall be prepaid by stamps,
or otherwise, or shall be charged double
the rates above mentioned.
Sec, 2. ind be IL further enacted, That
books, bound or unbound, not weighing
over four pounds, shall be deemed maiable
matter, and shall be chargeable with post
age ut one cent an ounce for all distances,
under three thousand miles, and two cents
|
sand miles, to which fifty per cent. shall be
added in all cases where the same may be
sent without being prepaid, and on all
printed matter chargeabe by weight
shall be weighed when dry. The publish
ers OF newspapers and periodicles may
send to each other from their respective
offices Of publication, free of postage, one
copy OF each publication ; and may also
send to each actual subscriber, enclosed in
their publication, free Of postage, bills or
receipts for the same, free of postage
The publishers Of weekly newspapers may
send to each actual subscriber within the
county where their papers are printed and
published one copy thereof free of postage
Sec. T.. Ind be 1t further enacted, That
no newspaper, periodical, magazine, or
other printed paper or matter, shall be en-
titled to be sent at the rates of postage in
this act specified unless the following con-
ditioDs be observed -
First. 1t shall be sent without any cover
or wrapper, or in cover or wrapper open
at the ends or sides, so that the character.
| OF the matter contained therein may be
determined without removing the wrapper.
! Second. There shall be no word or com
munlcation printed on the same after its
publication, or upon the cover or wrapper
thereof, except the name and address of
the person to whom it is to be SENT
Third. There shall be no paper or other
thing enclosed in or with such printed pa
per; and if these conditions are not COM
piled with, such printed matter shall be
subject TO letter postage; and all matter
sent 10y mail from one part of the United
States to another, the postage of which is
not fixed by the provisions of this act,
shall, unless free Of postage, be charged
| with letter postage
SEC. 4. And be IL further enacted, That
if the publisher Of any periodical, after be-
ing three onths previously notified that
his publication is not taken from the office
TO which it is sent for delivery, continue to
forward such publication in the mail, the
post master to whose office such publica-
ton is sent, may dispose of the same for
the postage, unless the publisher shall pay
il; and whenever any printed matter of
any description, received during one quar-
ter Of the fiscal year, shall have remained
in the office without being called for du-
ring the whole of any succeeding quarter,
the postmaster at such office shall sell the
same and credit the proceeds of such sale
in his. quarterly accounts, under such reg
ulations and after such notice as the post
Office Department shall prescribe.
SEC. 5. And be IL further enacted, That
so much of the second section of this act,
entitled IAN act to modify and reduce
the rates Of postage in the United States,
and for other purposes" approved March
Sd, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, as re-
lates to the postage or free circulation or
newspapers, periodicals, and other printed
matter, and AL other provisions of law in
consistent with the provisions of this act,
are hereby repealed.
SEC. 9. And be IL further enacted, That
when a list Of uncalled for letters shall be