Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-22
NOTES.

Seven minutes are allowed 70 each ntermedaie
ofics, When rot otherwise specified, for opening
md examining the mails.
No pay viii be made for trips not performed and
for each Of such omissions, not satisfactorily ex-
planned, three times The pay Of the Zip 10 be de-
ducled. For arrivals ar behind Tine ss 10 break
eonnexion with depending mails, and not suff-
cienty excused, one fourth Of the compensation for
the trip is subject 10 forfeiture.
Fines will be imposed, unless the delinquency be
promptly and satisfactorily orphaned BY certih ates
OF postmasters, or the afldavits Of other credible
persons, fer failing 70 riye in contract time fer
neglectng to take the ma from, OF deliver il into
post tfce; for suffering il 90 be vet, injured, de-
str0yed, robbed, or lost.
The Pos mater General may anuul the contract
for repeated failures % agreea5y 10 contract;
for violating the Pot Office laws, dis Jbs ying the
instructions of the depaum for efusing 10 dis
charge carrier when requested ~ the depanm, ut
TO do so for assigning The contract without the
sent of the Postmaster General; or for transporting
persons or packages conveying mailable matter out
of the mail.
The Pes master Gsnel al NAV order an increase Of
service on route by allowing thereon pro rata
increase on the cont act Lay. He may change
schedules Ct departures and arrivals, and make
Them IN conform in all cases connexions with
railroads, without incrta~e OF ray, provided the run
ming me be not abridged. He may also order
Increase ct speed, allowing, without the restrictions
OF the law, pro rGtS increase OF pay for the add
uona stock carriers II any. The contractor may,
however, ia the ofmcreae ofspeed, relinquish
the contract by giving prompt noice 10 che depart
ment that he prefers doing 10 carrying the order
into effect The P0stm iser General may also cur
tail or discontinue the service IN whole IN part,
at pro rata decrease OF ray, allowing one months
eIua ccmpens auos in The amount dispensed with,
whenever, in his op MON, the public interest do not
require the same IN he desires % supersede
II by different grade Of transportation
Payments will be made for the service by collec-
IT, n from, or drafts on, posmasters, or otherwise,
after The expiration Of each quarter-say in Febru-
AIRY. May, August, and Move mber.
The distances are given according 10 the best in
to- nation but no increased pay viii be allowed
should they be greater than advertised il the points
to be supplied be correctly stated. Bidders aui
form then se.res on ttis point.
Bidders are requested 10 use, rs far able,
the printed form Of proposal furnished BY the d..
partment TO write out in full the sum Of their bids,
aad 10 retain copies 81 them.
Each bid must be guaranteed by two responsible
persons. Geaeral qua antees cannot be admitted
The bid should be sealed superscribed " Mail
| sistant Postmaster General" Contract Office, and
sent by nGif, rot by or TO- an agent, and posimas-
ters will enclose proposals Tor l,tters Of any
KIND IN the quarterly returns
Il The contracts be eIecuted and returned 10
the department by before the .st Of July, 1885, but
| the service must be commenced on the mail day
| cuted or net
Section Is of an act OF Congress, approved March
s le45, provides that contracts for tie uanspOria
ton OF the mail shall he let "in every case 20 the
lowest bidder rendering sufici, MT guarantees for
faithful performance, withO other reference TO the
node of such tranSpoita ion than may ntces ary
II the GRANNY, anQ eecu-
rity OF such trans 2ortaiiOn.n Under thr law a new
| description OF hds has been received II does not
specify a mode or conveyance, but engages 70 take
| the entire mai each trip with celebrity certainly,
| and security, using the terms Of the law. These
bids are styled, from the manner in which they are
/ designated on the hooks Of the department, " star
bud, J" and they viii be construed providing for
the conveyance OF the entire mail, however lorfe
and uhoteUeT may be tks mode necessary 10 ensure
| "celerity, certainty, and securify"
in all cases where the lowest grade Of service 10
believed to be sufficient, the lowest bid viii be ac-
copied, II duly guaranteed, in preference 10 starr
| or specific lid
| Whsu the lowest bid is not a star bid and specI.
hes either no mode or an inadequate mode Of con
/ veyance. IL will not be accepted but aide for
1 sprc inc bid proposing the necessary service.
| When the bid does not specify mode Of convey.
ance also, when II proposes 10 carry according 10
the advertise but without such specific All n,
II Will be considered a pfopos al for horse back eer-
| vice
l Postmasters are 20 be careful not 90 certify the
| sufhciency OF g aEtt-s sureties without know
ing that they persons Of suff cient responsibility;
and all bidders. qua aniors, and suretes are dis
incty not fed tina failure 20 enter into or per-
form the contract for The srrYice proposed for in the
accepted bids, their legal liabilities will BE- enforced
| against them
Present contractors, ard persons known al the de-
par ment, must equally nth others, procure guar
| antors and ceftfca.es of their sufficiency sub
/ siantially in the forms above prescribed The
uhcaes OF sufiicicncy must be signed by post mas
| ter or judge OF a court OF record.
JAMES CAMPBELL,
Febl4 lawiw Postmaster Gel eral