The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-11
PREFARATORY NOTICE.

PREPARATORY NOTICE.
The enterprise in which we now embark, and
OF which this paper at the commencement C..
and sample of the papers that are TO follow, az
for its aim no less purpose, than to impart in
struction in the general and detail, to the Officer
and Agents fthe American public, in respect both
to their duties and their rights, and to make them,
and the people ut large acquainted with the organ
ixation, decisions and action of the Executive de-
partments of their Government. There has hith-
erto Teen no vehicle for the regular and proper
communication Of Information Of this kind The
publication of the Laws and the isaue Of iostrur
ticns, more or less comprehensive and atintervafs
more or less extended have proved wholly made
quate, in the absence Of the construction Of those
Laws, applied to particular caBes, and OF details
and illustrations to make the regulations and in
structons ineligible. The valuable documents
annually reported to Congress, are too yoIuminous
and printed in quantities too small for general
circulation; whilst the debates in Congress and
the commentaries of the press upon their proceed
ings, and the proceedings Of the Executive branch
of the Government, besides turning mostly upo
general principles, address themselves only 70
marty ends, and to matters of national policy
These publications in their various forms are
highly useful in themselves as far as they go, and
some Of them Indispensable; but there is much
that do not reach the hands OF all, il they did,
do they furnish those rules, methods, and exam
pies, for the despatch Of the public business which
can render the discharge of public duty either safe
or easy, whether in respect to the incumbent him
self, or the department or bureau under which he
acts. We shall make an honest effort to supply
this vacuum, and to provide for these necessities
If we succeed in rendering the functions Of the
primary offices more uniform, m ethodical, and ey
act, we shall make the administrative duties Of the
departments more easy and effective and thereby
promote the real and substantial interests Of the
country And this we expect to do, TO some ev
tent at least-apart from, and independently to
any party or personal interest or question what
ever.
1t is known to most Of those to whom this pa
per will be sent, that the Senior Editor was AUDI
tor of the Post-Oifce Department until the month
of November last; with by far the larger portion
of both poslmasers and contractors, he has had
direct intercourse, in person or by letter. He en-
tered the department fourteen years since, and for
many years previously, had been, first in the War
Department, ard subsequently in the Treasury
He has therefore had the best opportunities 70,
understanding the arrangements Of business in al
the departments, and being acquainted with those
who carry it on. Since his official connection with
the Government ceased, lie flatters himself he has
preserved the respect and regard of most Of the
presc, incumbents of the departments, and is or
becoming terms of intercourse and civIlity with
them ALL The Junior Editor has been asssduously
engaged for several years, in studying, by per-
sOnai inquiry and examination, the practical and
daily routine and details of the Post-Ofhce and
u,ner branches of the public business. II is with
this stock OF perence, and these advantages foi
reaching the various sources of administrative &c
ton, and for mparting minute and illustrative in
struction, and valuable periodical and statistica
information, that we challenge your confidence
and solicit your support and patronage.
We have fixed upon the 18th OF each month as
the day for the publication of our paper, SO as to
afford time for obtaining from the departments
all the orders, notices and changes issued, or mad
by them during the preceding month. Tables G.
Post Offices, and compilations of the Laws and
Regulations, are issued by the Post Office Depart
ment only once in two or three years. 1t is
matter of inconvenience and complaint, for which
hitherto there has been no remedy, that ~ one
month from the time of these issues, there are Of
fees in the tables which are no longer in operation,
and Offices in operation which not IN the tables.
At this time there perhaps over three thousar
offices Of the two descriptions. In like manncr
laws have been passed and regulations established
since the issue of the last volume Of regulations
of which many postmasters and others are wholly
ignorant. We propose to prevent, for the present,
any increase of the evil of either Kind, and from
the time another issue shall be made, our paper
will furnish the additions, corrections, and modif
cations, made IN each month"; and by being filed
and preserved, will afford to postmasters full and
exact information upon both subjects, up to and
for time being. How much of the present misd
rection, remang, doubt, confusion, error, anc
imposition, will be saved by the progressive stat.
Of full and exact knowledge for winch we hav
provided, and for which we engage, every inteh
gent postmaster can estimate for himself
These advantages alone and independently Of all
others, are worth many times the price we charge
for the paper, and will, it is hoped, induce every
postmaster who feels just pride in his Office or
patriotic regard for the credit, prosperity, and
efficiency of the whole Post Office system-at once
to subscribe. The same considerations apply to
the orders and notices, DECISIONS and instructors
Of the War, Navy, Treasury, State, and Interlo
departments, and the same course is intended IN
respect to them. Notices of the decisions Of the
Supreme Court, in cases turning upon question,
of official duty national interest, will find pac
in this pay r.
n ME undersigned, committee adjudication, Oh
Il the part OF the Muscogee and Russell Agricul
tural Society, respectfully invite public attention
to the following prospectus of a MONTHLY
JOURNAL, to be published in this city under the
auspices of the above named association.