The Portland daily press., 1863-02-10
The Post Office Bill.

Inc I-OsI OmCe Itnis
The bill to amend the laws relating to the
post office department, introduced by Senator
Colamer, of Vermont, embraces many impor-
tant improvements. Mr.. Collamer, who once
filed the office of postmaster general, is well
qualified for his position as chairman of the
Senate committee on post Offices and roads.
He does not however assume responsibility
properly belonging to the actual Postmaster
General. Mr.. Blair's official report contains
the suggestions, which are wrought out in the
pending bill.
That the vast and intricate machinery
vice should be susceptible of improvement,
ought to surprise no one. That it has been
in some respects peculiarly defective, is well
known. The amendments to existing laws
are designed to substitute for confusion, order;
and for present irregularity, uniformity. They
are Of universal interest, coming home TO eve
ry mans daily business and promising addi-
tional convenience or annoyance. That the
amendments will be really improvements how
ever, we believe will on consideration fully APP
pear.
The bill requires all postmasters, mail agents,
office to make oath to their fidelity and loyalty.
Postmasters are to be divided into five classes
with reference to salaries, the upper limit of
compensation in each class being $4,000, 5000,
1000, and 100. The salaries are to be assigned
by the postmaster general from comparison
of the recorded annual compensation received
In the several offices during the four years
preceding the LIST July next, and are to be as
signed in even tens and hundreds of dollars.
All box rents and other perquisites are to be
accounted for ,ybut reasonable sum will be
allowed in Offices of the first and second class
es, and in others which are distributing offices,
for clerkhire and other necessary expenses.
The postmaster general will be empowered TO
appoint postmasters of the fourth and fifth
classes. The salaries may be readjusted once
In two years, but not oftener Those who
know most of the present regulations deter
mining the compenstions of postmasters, will
best appreciate the advantages of the scheme
proposed.
Coming now to the bearing of the amend
ments upon the public, we find that box rents
and postage in all cases, including drop letters,
are to be paid in advance. The postage on
half ounce letters is to be cents; on drop
letters, 2 cents. On the other hand carriers are
10 be appointed, with salaries not to exceed
$500 at first but to be raised in time, at the OPP
ton Of the postmaster general, to any sum
within $1,000. The one cent fee for the deiv-
cry and collection of letters Is TO be abolished.
This change is in accordance with the Post
master Generals report Mr.. Blair speaks par
ticularly Of "the annoying and dilatory tariff"
of the carriers, and recommends its abolition.
Receiving offices and boxes are also to be es-
tabshed, and provision will be made for car
rying local newspapers. The manner of wrap
ping and securing for the mails all matter not
charged with letter postage may be prescribed
by the postmaster general.
All mailable matter is to be divided into
three classes-letters, printed matter, and
miscellaneous matter. To the third class be-
long all pamphlets, books, cards, engravings,
letter envelopes, &c, the second class embrac-
ing periodicals solely. The maximum stand
ard weight for the first class is one half ounce
avoirdupois; for the second and third, four
ounces. A single rate of postage for weekly
OF the second class is to be cents quarter
single rate of the third class will be cents
but books are charged double rate, and three
circulars may be sent for single rate. All
matter not enumerated in one of these classes
is to be charged letter postage; but no pack
age weighing more than four pounds viii be
received into the mails, except books publish
ed or distributed by order of Congress-
Such are the leading features of a reform
long needed, and now, it is hoped, on the point
Of consummation. 1t is fortunate that this
business has fallen into the hands of thorough
ly practical men, and men of Experience in this
very department.