The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-01-21
FOR CLERK.
TO POSTMASTERS.

IL Is with very great regret, gentlemen,
that we are constrained to indite 4 seperate
article to you. We are well convinced thai,
there is no one Of you who does not enter
tain for us and for our business the kindli-
est feeling, and moreover, we i.now that no
one Of You would Intentionally, and with
malice aforethought, 'injurc us in the slightest
degree yet that you have done so, indirect
ly, does not admit of n doubt.
We know that the complain: of ncwspa-
per publishers against the carelcsness of
Postmastcrs, is almost n stcrcotyped affair,
and the frequency Of its repetition, Is one
reason why the appeal is so little needed
This fact, coupled with n natural distate for
repeating an old song, has deferred us from
alluding TO this matter at an earlier date,
but a stern sense of duty to ourselt and TO
our patrons, admonishcs us that i, should no
longer be neglected. In saying that n very
culpable state of carelessnes exist at many
OF the post oiSces TO which the Ledger is
sent, we do not base the charge upon the
authority Of m irresponsible hearsay, and
nothing bat the most reliable evidence of
tf'e fact would induce us to make it. When
a subscriber living in the District, and at a
post office whero n large bundle is sent, com
plains to us that he does not get his paper
regularly, We, without hesitation, tell him
1t Is the fault Of his postmaster; for ut this
office there is no carelesness in respect TO
mailing-the utmost pains is taken that no
name be left out, and moreover. tina, no pa
per bc directed to n subscriber with marks
of usage upon it, or mutilated in any shape.
We have too much concern for our own in.
~terest, and too much respect for our patrons,
not 10 enforce his rule with scIupulous
eXactness; and when we hear that our pains
and care are in many cases of no avail. from
n pra :tice which has become too common.
of allowing Dick Tom and Harry unlimited
access TO the mails, reading and abusing and
mispIacing papers which do not belong To-
them, 1t is quite enough to serve rs a basis
Of complaint against you.
a gentleman on whose word the utmost
reliance can be placed. informed us a day or
two ago that he call, for his paper at n Ger.
tain post office regularly and receives on nm
average about one paper for every three
weeks We risk nothing in saying that
his paper has not failed once to reach its
destination regularly every Thursday morn
ing, since he has been n subscriber. SINH.
lar complaints have reached US again and
again, and not unfrequen,ly we hear of pa.
pers being abused by usage and sometimes
torn in half! Now gentlemen this is too
bad each of you, 10 this District, h fur.
nished with a paper gratis you have no
excuse for opening matter that does not be-
long to you, and when you suffer loafers 90
do so, and those who are too penurious 10
read a paper of their own, you are amena-
Bile 10 the law for n breach ofthe obligation
that you have voluntarily taken upon your.
self. IT guilty of this charge, the accusa-
ton. coming from one whose interest you
have indirectly attacked, should not offend
If not guilty, there 10 still no grounds for
offence, for in that case, these remarks are
not Intended for you. Some of you wo
know to be prompt and attentive to the
minor details Of a Post Office. They are
for those to whom they apply, and intended
only as a friendly remonstrance. A little care
upon your part will obyiate the difficulty,
and prevent the recurrence of similar CON-
plants. a moment reflection, and you will
discern how important to our business that
subscribers receive their papers regularly,
and the deep injustice consequent to us and
2 them, when a loose system Of conductiBg
an Office is allowed.
a hill hos nnannh H. Md N-n-.