Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-05-23
REPRESENTATIONS oFLETTERs.

By the recent regulation of the Post Office
Department, which goes into effect on the first
of July, persons sending letters containing
money, can have them registered, by paying
Eve cents to the Post Master, who viii! give a
receipt, and when the letter isdelivered TO the
person TO whom Il Is addressed receipt is al
so given. Registered letters are to be made
up in seperate packages and mailed to the
Pest Master. -
We think with the New York Tribune, that
this plan may be we'll enough as far as it goes,
though we doubt if it is much of an improve
ment. perfect account of the letteris made
at the Office in which it IS deposited the re-
ceipt will be evidence that it was duly mailed;
80. if il reaches its place Of destination, the
regulations are such that it would be likely to
be delivered. But suppose it is stolen on the
rout ?-as it may be, as well as any other let
ter. Indeed it is quite obvious that if there
are any miscarrages Of letters after the period
above referred to it viii be among those pack
ages directed to Postmasters; for, being SO
addressed, of course they may be pres umed TO
contain money, AMI viii be just the ones TO be
purloined.
What the people desire is a system by which
money may be safely remitted. The plan in
question does not appear to Us to be of that
character. There is more risk about it than
under the present system, for now dishonest
clerk must steal whole mail to be certain OF
finding letters containing money, whereas un-
der the new plan the valuable letters are sep
arated from the ordinary ones by the Depart
4 q,
steal single package tc obtain haul.
In view of these facts we ought to have a
ldoney-Order system similar to the one in OPP
Grafton in Great Britain. Then there would
be no chance for losing anything. There the
Government takes the risk; and if anything be
lost, and it is next TO impossible that this
should occur, the Government stands the loss.
So it should be in this country. The Gov
ernment here should charge sufficient sun
for the conveyance of valuable letters to Sc
cure their conveyance and delivery; or in case
of loss !. should indemnify the loser. g..
a. We have little confidence in the Regstra
ticn IS stem which is shortly to be adopted
We shall pay an increased rate Of postage
without increased security to the letter. The
Government it is tS1e will take rnemoran
dunn of il, and in case OF loss will endeavor t.
ferret out the thief. But this it should do ii
any event. 1t is paid for safely conveying al
Ietters When il receives q letter upon whicl
the postage is paid, IL contracts to deliver /
to the person to whom it is addressed upol
his calling for it-just as forwarder contract
to deliver an article Of merchandise, the con
veyance of which he undertakes. In the lat
ter case the forwarder is bound to make goo'
any loss the property may sustain while 1t j
in his custody. Why should not the Govern
ment be in like manner responsible for com
munications it undertakes to make, especial.
when 1t gives receipts for the same' In
word we think the Government should be sue'
upon those receipts, in case aletter miscarrie
or is lost, as q forwarding merchant may b
upon receipt be gives for merchandise PLACED
In his charge for transmission from one portion
OF tbs country 70 enotber.