Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-09-15
The New Postage Law.

i The following important law, in relation
to the postage on newspapers, and other
L lprinted matter, has passed both Houses Of
i Congress, and received the signature of the
President. 1t goes. into operation from
land after the 3Oth instant:
BE 1t enacted Ja the Senate and Honse of
representatives Of the United States Of
AnaerscG an Congress assembled, That from
and after the thirtieth day of September.
Iilslghteen hundred and ffty-two, the postage
1lupen all pHated mates passing throue h
lthe mails of the United StatssS instead of
the rates now charged, shall be as follows.
70 WIT: Each newspaper; periodical, unsealed
circular, or other article of printed matter,
not exceeding three ounces in weight, shall
oe sent to any part of the United States for
one cent; and for every additional ounce. or
traction of a ounce, one cent additional shall
be charged; and when the postagb upon any
newspaper or periodical is paid yearly or
quarterly il advance at the Office where
the same is mailed, and evidence of such
payment is furnished to the office of delivery
IN such manner as the Post-office Depart.
ment shall by general regulation prescribe,
ore-half of said rate only shall be charged
Newspapers and periodicals not weighing
over one ounce and half when circulated
IN the State where published, shall be char
ged one-half of the rates before mentioned:
ProVided, That small newspapers and Pc
rledicals, published monthly or ofener, and
pamphlets not containing more than sixteen
octave pages each, when sent in single pack.
ages, weighing at least eight ounces, to one
address, and prepaid by af6xins postage
stamps thereto, shall be charged only half
ola cent for each ounce, or fraction of an
ounce, Notwithstanding the postage ealcula-
ted on each separate article Of such package
would exceed that amount. The postage on
all transient matter shall be prepaid bv
stamps or otherwise, or shall be charged
double the rates first above mentioned.
SEC. 2. And be at further enacted. That
books, bound or unbound, not weighing over
tour pounds, shall be deemed mailable mat
ter, and shall be chargeable with postage at
one cent an ounce for all distances under
three thousand miles, and two cents an ounce
Tor all distances over three thousand miles,
to which fifty per cent. shall be added in ali
cases where the same may be sent without
being prepaid, and all printed matter charge
able by weight shall be weighed when dTy.
The publishers ofnewspapers and periodicals
may send to each other from their respect
i've offices of publication, free of postage, one
copy OF each publication; and may also send
to each actual subscriber, enclosed in their
publications, bills and receipts for the same
free ofpostage. The publishers of weekly
newspapers may send to each actual subseri-
Der within the county where their papers are
printed and published, one copy thereof free
fpostage.
Sec. 8. And be further caaetea, That no
newspaper periodical, magazine, or other
printed paper or matter, shall be entitled to
sent at the rates of postage in this act spe-
cited, unless the following conditions are
observed: First. It shall be sent without anv
cover or wrapper; or in a cover or wrapper
open at the ends or sides, so that the charac-
ter of the matter contained therein NAV be
determined without removing such wrapper.
Scep m 4afTs as Sha d sads Ra ne X0f 81 RI
to whom it is to be sent. 1hid. There shall
be no paper or other thing enclosed in or
with such printed paper; and if these condi'
tons are not complied with, such printed
matter shall be subject to letter postage; and
all matter sent by 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 the same be entitled to be-
sent free Of postage, be charged with letter
postage.
SEC. A. And Je it tu+tEef enacted, That
! if the publisher of any periodical, after being
f three months previously notified that his pub
lication is not taken out of the Office to which,
it is sent for delivery, continue to forward
c such publication in the mail, the postmaster
It to whose Office such publication is sent may
o dispose of the same for the postage, unless
q the publisher shall pay it; and whenever
q q any printed matter of any description, receiv
e ed during one quarter of the fiscal year
Ie shall have remained in the Office without be-
ing called for during the wnUie vf any sue
= ceeding quarter, the postmaster at such offlc
, shall sell the same, and credit the proceed
re of such sale in his quarterly accounts, unde
e such regulations and after such notice os th
n Post Office Department, shall prescribe.
ne Sec. 5. ATad be 1T further enacted, This
nd so much Of the second section of the act er
titled AN act to modify and reduce the tate
Of, of postage in the United States, and fc
ID; d. other purposes approved March Sd, eigl
M y. teen hundred and fifiy-one, as relates to tt
lite postage or free circulation or Transmission
be- newspapers, periodicals, and other printe
Use matter, and all other provisions of law inco
orr orr sstent with the provisions of this act, a
nd hereby repealed.
ity SEC 6. And be 1t further enacted, Tn
when list of uncalIed-for letters shall
published in any newspaper printed in a
foreign language, said list shall be publish
ov- in such newspaper having the largest circu
any ton within the range of delivery of g
nng Office.
IN