The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-02
PREPARATORY NOTICE.


A PREPARATORY NOTICE.
The enterprise in which we now embark, and
OF which this paper is at once the eommencefnes T.
and sample Of the papers that are to follow, as
for its aim no less a purpose, than to impart in
struction in the general and detail to the Officer
and Agents Of the American public, in respect both
their duties and their rights, and to make them,
and the people at large acquainted with the organ
ization, 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 issue of instrue
tons, or less comprehensive, and atintervais
moro or less extended, have proved wholly made
quate In the absence of the construction OF those
Laws, as applied TO particular cases. and of details
and illustrations to make the regulations and in
structions ineligible. The valuable documents
annually reported to Congress, are too voluminous
and are 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 upon
general principles, address themselves only TO
party ends, and to matters Of national poliey1
These publications in their various forms are
highly useful in themselves rs far as they go, and
some of them indispensable; but there is much
that do not reach the hands Of nll nor if they did,
do they furnish those rules, methods, and exam
pes for the despatch of the public business which
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, methodical, 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 ey /
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-Ofice Department until the month
of November last; with by far the larger portion
of both postmasters and contractors, he has had
direct intercourse, in person by letter. He en-
tered the department fourteen years since and for
many years previously, had been, firstin the War
Department, ard subsequently in the Treasury
He has therefore had the best opportunities fol-
understanding the arrangements OF business i'll all
the departments, and being acquainted with those
who carry it on. Since his official connection with
the Government ceased, he fatters himself he has
preserved the respect and regard Of most of the
present incumbents Of the departments, and is ON
becoming terms of intercourse and civility with
them ALL The Junior Editor has been asssiduously
engaged for several years, in studying, by per-
sonal inquiry and examination, the practical and
daily routine and details of the Post-OfIice and
otner branches of the public business. 1t is with
this stock OF experience, and these advantage for
reaching the various of administrative &C
ton, and for impartng minute and illustrative in
structon, and valuable periodical and statistical
information, that 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
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 a
matter of inconvenience and compliant, for which
hitherto there has been no remedy, that IN 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 are perhaps over three thousand
Offices of the two descriptions. In like manner |
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 modifs
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 misdi
rection, remailing, doubt, confusion, error, and |
impositon will be saved by the progressive state
Of full and exact knowledge, for which we have
provided and for which we engage, every ntelll
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
who feels just pride in his Office OF
a patriotic regard for the credit, prosperity, and
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 Interior
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 place
in this papsr. M
F1yHE undersigned, a committee Of publication, on
IL the part Of the Muscogee and Russell Agricul-
tural Society, respectfully invite public attention
to the following prospectus Of MONTHLY
JOURNAL, to be published in this city under the
auspices OF the above named association +