The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-04-27
Important Post Office Regulations

masters and the public generally, under the
new law OF Congress. We subjoin such as
arc of general interest
Books not weighing over four pounds
may be sent i'll tho mail, prepaid, at one
cent an ounce, any distance in the United
states under three thousand miles. pro,yi-
ded they arc put up without n cover or
wrapper, or in cover or wrapper opcn at
tho ends or sides, so that their character
may be determined without removing the
wrapper IT not prepaid, the postage un-
dcr three thousand miles is one cent and a
han, and over three thousand miles, in the
United States, three cents an ounce.
Letters enclosed in stamp envelopes NAV
De carried out of the mail, provided such
stamps are equal in value and amount to
the rates of postage to which such letters
would be liable if sent in the mail: and
provided, also, that the envelopes are duly
sealed.
a letter bearing stamp, cut or separated
from stamped envelope, cannot be sent
through the mail us prepaid letter. Stamps
so cut or separated from stamp envelopes
lose their legal value. Stamped envelopes, as
well as postage stamps on prepaid letters,
should be cancelled Immediately on the let
ters being placed in the post office.
Contractors and mail carriers may carry
newspapers out of the mails, for sale
or distribution among regular subscribers; :;
but when such papers arc placed in post
once Tor delivery, postage must be charged
and collected. Contractors and other persons
may also convey books, pamphlets maca
zines and newspapers mot intended for i'm
mediate distribution) done up in packages
as merchandise, and addressed to some bona
fdc agent or dealer.
Iub!ishers Of newspapers may, without
sublectinS them to extra postage, fold within
Their issues supplement, provided the
weight OF the whole does not exceed one
and half ounces, within the State where
printed, or three ounces when sent out of
the State. But in all cases, the added mat
ter must be genuine supplement or appen.
dage to the newspaper in question, and of
the same essential character, conveying In
tclllyence of passing events Of general inter
est.
Money and otller valuable matters sent
by mail are at the risk Of the owner.
Dagnerrcotypcs when sent in the mail
should be rated and charged with letter
postage by weight.
Payment Of postage on new spapers, pori
odlcals, and magazines, quarterly or yearly
IN advance, may be made either at the office
OF mailing or Office of delivery.
1t is violation of law to enclose or con-
ceal a letter brother thing, (cxcept bills and
receipts for subscription,) or to maka any
memorandum in writing, or to paint any
work OF communication after its publica-
ton upon any newspaper, pamphlet, maga
zine, OF other printed matter. In all such
cases legal letter postage should be demand
ed, and if the person addressed refuse
to pay such letter postage, the package
should be returned to the post master from
whose office it came, to prosecute the SEN
der for the penalty of IS ; and all transient
printed matter should be distinctly post
marked at the mailing office.
Postmasters are allowed one cent for the
delivery of each free letter, except such as
come to themselves, and two mills each on
newspapers Ito subscribcrs) not chargeablc
with postage
Letters mailed in the cars can be prepaid
only by using postage stamps or stamped
envelopes; and when not thus prepaid. il
is the duty OF postmasters to treat all such
letters unpaid, although marked "paid"-no
route agent being permitted to receive pre-
payment in money.
Circulars, advertisements, and business
cards, not Weighing over three ounces. sent
any distance in the United States are charge
able with one cent postage each when not
prepaid. The same rates apply when sent
IN packages, unless the package be sealed so
as to prevent the contents from being ascer.
tanned. If sealed, they arc chargeable with
letter postage by weight.
Properly .franked mail matter, or mail
matter addressed to persons enjoying the
franking privilege, is entitled to be carried
free in the mail when forwarded" to the
person elsewhere, as we'll as in transporta-
ton simply to the Office to which originally
addressed.
Postmasters receiving letters referring to
business not connected with the department,
but designed to promote private interest,
without payment of postage, must return
said letters to the parties sending them, under
new envelope charged with postage. -.
Bona fide subscribers to weekly newspa.
pers can receive the same free Of postage,
If they reside in; the county in which the |
paper Is printed and published, even if the
office to which the paper is sent is without
the county, provided tits the Office at which
they regularly receive their mail matter.
. Postage cannot be- prepaid :on regular |
or periodicals for 8 less term
than one quarter; and in all cases epostage
of h<x i L 49, - =