The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-20

why its columns TEEN with flsehood and abuse Of hs
American government the American press and the Amer
lean people.
.PosTAeE-A snsTAKE somEwnERE.-The deputy post
master Of this city, acting he arms, upon instruction,
received from the proper authority Washington, has raised
the postage ettereet prices containing the p
yate cards Of merchants the standard of sealed writ
ten letters Said instructions, far they have been made
public predicate this decision of the department upon thu
assumption that the insertion of cards in cir
cuars attempt supesede the necessity of letters ana
thereby evade the law the detrment Of the
treasury As the commission merchants OF St. Louis
interested in the matter than any other portion of
citizens, it would be well for them to submit the subject to
the consideration of the chamber of commerce. and thus
bring the question in that will likely insure 1t
patient and full hearing before the proper authorities.
g If such decision has really been made by the depart
nen understand how is that other important
commercial points exempt from its requirements. Al
the post Office here communications daily recei, from
the city of New York. of like character containing not only
the private cards of the merchants by whom they for
warded but photographic letters the opposite page The
Baltimore papers advertise their pricescurrent circulars
with cards prominently inserted and urge their use as
of communication upon the ground Of cheap postage
Both from New York and Baltimore such circulars
ceived with postage only.
may be that the instructions of the department have
not yet reached the Atlantic cities; but il they have it is
somewhat difficult to reconcile the different interpretations
made operate disadvantageouy instance and
ably in another must be left the comprehension Of those
deeply yersed in such matters than ourselves The
laws in this respect have always imagined general
not partial.
The grievance, however, is not small one and If a
misunderstanding exists (Which is likely CASEY
the department at Washington should apply the
remedy vast extent of country is tributary to the
of this city and merchants required for
ward thousands Of these circulars daily ThSax heavy
hurI
removed"
The above article is from the ST Louis Mo Republican
Of the 18th October We have several occasions stated
what the law and regulations of the department require
this subject and well assured that every post
master in the United States has been furnished with thu
law and regulations in regard 10 it. The act of aotl
August 1852 before quoted by u.s. is in itself explicit
says with reference all printed matter that there ha
be word communication printed the after its
publication upon the wrapper thereof any
writing or marks upon it, nor upon the corer ropper
thereof except the and address of the person whom
il il to be sentD
The same act also provides that "aco unsealed circu
lar" &C.. "not exceeding three in weight shall be
sent to any part Of the United States for cent pre-
paid when the above provisions of law complied with
If more than circular, circular and letter. are
printed on single sheet it is apparent that the law
ques postage to be paid accordingly Owing to the prac-
ce Of many before the passage Of the law of having
eral circulars printed sheet well placing their
business cards upon the envelopes of circulars in sending
them out posmasters doubt in where they
satisfied fraud intended have permitted such
to pass single circulars But sufficient time has elapsed
since the passage Of the law for all TO have become
quaned with its provisions; and whenever the attention
Of the department is called TO the subject the answer Of
course that the law must be strictly enforced Within
few days, understand, the particular question has
been submitted TO the Postmaster General whether the
argersized Sheets borrowing the and assuming the
form Of newspaper but which, in fact constitute only
circular circulars, generally for lottery schemes
patent medicines shall be charged with rates
Of POSTAGE and his decision learn is that each distinct
circular the sheet must be charged circular
the whole if sealed with letter postage