The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-05-05
Important ros, Office Regulations under


The Postmaster General has issued num-
Der of instructions for tho guidancc OF Post /
masters and the public generally under the
new law of congress. We subjon such as are
Of general Interest,"
Books not weighing over four pounds may |
he sent in the mail, prepaid, at ono cent an
ounce any distance in the United states I'M
der three thousand miles, and at two cents
an ounce over three thousand miles, proyi-
ded they arc rutup without cover or wrap
per, OF wrapped open at the ends or sides, 50
that their character may be determined with
ont removing the wrapper. If not prepaid,
the postage under three thousand mites IS
ono cent and half and over three thousand
miles in the United States, three cents an
ounce
Letters enclosed in stamp envelopes may
be carried out of the mail, provided such
stamps arc equal in value or amount to the
ratios of postage to which such letters would
be liable if sent in the mail and provided,
also that the envelopes are duly sealed,
&c.
A letter bearing stamp cut or sepcr-
ated from n stamped envelope, cannot be
sent through the mail as prepaid letter.
Stamps SO cut or separated from stamp en-
yelopes lose their legal value. Stamped en-
yelopcs, as well MS postage stamps on pre-
maid letters, should be cancelled immediate
~ on the letters being placed in the post Of
flee.
Contractors and mail carriers may carry
newspapers out Of the mails, for sale or dis
tribution to regular subscribers; but when
such papers are placed in post-oifice for
delivery, postage must be charged and col
lected. Contractors and other porsoHs may
also convey books, pamphlets magazines
and newspapers mot intended for immediate
destrbution) done up in packages az mer-
chandise, and addressed to some bona tide
agent or dealer.
Publishers OF newspapers may without
subjecting them to extra postage, fold with
in their regular issues supplements, 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 newspaper in question, and OF the
same essential character conveying intclli-
geDce Of passing events Of general interest
Money and other valuable matters sent
by mail, at the risk Of the owner. Dogucr-
reotypes when sent in the mail should be
rated and charged With letter postage by
weight.
Payment OF postage on newspapers, peri
odicals, and magazines, quarterly or yearly
IN advance, may be made either at the Office
Of mailing or Office Of delivery.
1t is a violation Of law to enclose or con
ceal letter or other thing, Except bills and
RECEIPTS for subscriptiOn,D or to make any
memorandum in writing, or print any word
or communication after its publication upon
any newspaper, pamphlet, magazine, or
other printed matter In all such cases lc-
, gal letter postage should be demanded, and
I il the person addressed refuse TO pay such
{ letter postage, the package should be re-
/ turned to the postmaster from whose Office it
came. to prosecute the sender for the penal
/ " of s. and al trdasicnt printed matter
( shouid be distinctly post marked at tie mail
| ing g0ice.
/ Postmastcrs are allowed one cent for the
/ delivery of each free letter, except such as
come 20 themselves, and two mills each on
newspapers TO subscribcrs) not chargablc
| with postage
Letters mailed in the car can be prepaid
only by using postage stamps or stamped
envelopes and when not thus prepaid, it is
/ the duty Of pogtmnstcrs to treat all such let.
/ tiers as unpaid, although marked paid
no route agent being permitted to receive
I prepayment 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 pre-
paid, and two cents each when no. prepaid.
The same rates apply when sent III packa-
gcs, unless the package be sealed, so as 70
preYent the-eaHtettt- fre-ft-tr rsrcrtHiurri.
II sealed, they arc chargable with letter pos
tage by weight.
Properly ranked mail matter, or matter ad-
dressed TO a person enjoying the iranking
privilege Is entitled to he carried free in
the mail when forwarded" 10 the person
elsewhere as well as in transportation sim
ply to the Office to which originally address
ed
/ Postmastcrs receiving letters referring to
business not connected with the Department
/ but designed to promote private interest,
without payment of postage, must return
said letter to the parties sending them under
new envelope charged with letter postage.
Bona iide subscribers to weekly ncwspa-
pers can receive the same free Of postage,
/ if they reside in the county in which the pa
per is printed and published, even if the Of
/ flee TO which the paper is sent is without tho
county, provided it is the Office at which
they regularly receive their mail matter.
Postage cannot be prepaid on regular
newspapers or periodicals for less term
than one quarter; and in all cases postage
must be paid on said matter at the com.
mcncemcnt of the quarter.
Bills Of lading and unsealcd letters re.
lating exclusively to the whole or any part
Of the cargo of a vessel or steamboat, may
/ be sent on such vessel or steamboat outside
Of the mail, unless they are placed in an en-.
velope with other matter. in the latter
case, the whole package is subject to letter
! postage -
/ Under no circumstances can postmaster
open letter not addressed to himself
Ship letters, as they cannot be prepaid,
and are not supposed to embrace in the new
act, will continue to be despatched agreea-
bly, to the provision of the fifteenth section
Of the act of March g. 1925.