Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-14
Pos. One. Law.

Mr.. Hunter, 10 the Senate, has asked and
obtained leave to introduce a bill to amend
the acts in relation to the Post Office Depart
ment; which was read twice and referred to
the Committee on the Post Office and Post
Roads. The bill provides for changing the
present rates of postage, so that for every
single letter in manuscript, or paper Of any
kind in which information shall be asked
for or communicated 10 writing, or by marks
or signs, conveyed in the mail for any dis
lance between places 10 the United States,
not exceeding three thousand miles, the rate
of postage shall be five cents, and for any
distance over three Thousand miles ten cents.
For double letter double these rates shall
be charged, and for treble letter treble
these rates. Every letter or parcel cot ex-
ceeding half an ounce in weight shall he
deemed single letter, aud every additional
weight Of half an ounce or less shall be
charged with an additional single rate of
postage. For letters conveyed 10 the mail,
wholly or in part by sea, aud to or from a
foreign country, for any distance under tWen-
ty-fve hundred miles, the rate is to be ten
cents, and for any distance over twenty-five
hundred miles, twenty cents, for each half
ounce 10 weight, unless by postal treaty or
convention, such postage shall be adjusted at
different rates. All drop letters not for
trapsm ission, but only for delivery, shall be
charged one cent each, aud advertised let
tiers one cent each in addition to the regular
postage. Upon all letters passing through
the mails, except such as are to or from q
foreigo country and ofieial letters, the rates
Of postage hereby established shall be pre-
paid, either by postage stamps. stamped
envelopes, or money, ct the option OF the
sender. The rates for printed matter are
to be, for each newspaper or periodical
not exceeding three OUNCES in weight, to
auy part of the United States, one cent;
and every additional ounce OF fraction of An
ounce one cent additional, the postage upon
such matter to be paid quarterly in advance,
either at the Office where mailed or where de-
livered. Newspapers and periodicals not ex-
oeeiing an ounce and halfiu weight, when
circulated in the State where Published, one
half the above rates. The postage On tran
silent pr .nted matter is also to be prepaid.
The bill likewise provides that, in place VI
the compensation now allowed deputy post
masters, tney sUal Ut dIlO"tu Couuiseious
not exceeding the following rates, On the let
ter postage collected at their respective off,
ces: On any sun not exceeding SlOO, forty
per cent, or, If the mail arrives regularly
between 9 o'clock, p. ~, and O'clock, a.
m., City per cent; on any SUN between 81
AID S400 80! per cent; between S4OO aud
50, 400, 80 per cent and on any SUN above
81 400, l2l per cent; 90 the amount of post.
age On letters and packages received at the
distributing office for distribution, not ex.
ceeding ten per cent; and on tue moneys
arising from the postage on newspapers,
mag Zines, pamphlets, and all other printed
matter, the Postmaster General may allow Il
commission Of fifty per cent. Tue bill fur
Their provides tLat hereafter no printed mat
ter ID parcels weighing more than three
ounces shall be transmitted in the mails
free of postage, except the Presidents annu-
al message with the accompanying docu-
mepts, and the annual report OF the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury on the finances, which
may pass as heretofore, under the frank of
persons entitled by law to that privilege.