Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-08-01
HoOS'TAE. CHANCES.

H'OSFAE Cz7lANasEs.
A very important act regulating Mail
Service, Letter Delivery. Frankng, Rates
of Postage, &c, was passed at the late
Session of Congress and took effect on the
1st inst. 1t extends to forty five sections
and would now be reprinted in full but for
the pressure Of War News. The following
is a summary Of its most important pro
visions:
!. The postage on each letter weighing
half an ounce or less, if carried and delivered
wholly within the United States, ia hence
forth three cents ifpadi advance. Ilithcr-
to, letters transmitted from the Atlantic to
the Pacific States, or rice rerSd have been
charged ten cents, whicn is now reduced to
three
II. Every letter delivered from the office
at which it was mailed, or distributed there
from by local carrier, is henceforth to pay
tloo cents postage. Heretofore the charge
delivery by carries Hereafter, two cents
must be paid on every drop letter. mailed,
and there is to be no charge for delivery.
III. The Postmastcr-G General is instructed
to take measures to extend the system of
Free Delivery so fast and so far as he may
judge cxpcdient We presume that, under
this clause such cities as Troy, Syracuse,
Utica, Hudson, &c, with great villages like
PouGhkeepsie, Newburgh, &c, will soon be
blessed with system of Free Letter De
livery from once to twice per day. We
believe an immense increase in business and
, receipts, especially in the matter Of drop
letters" will result from this reform.
~. There is to be no charge henceforth
for the receipt ofeither Mail or Drop Letters
at sub-post-ot!ces, lctter-boXes, stations. or
whatever they may be callcd-and their
conveyance thence to the central or CITY
office. The charge of one cent hitherto
made for this service almost nulified the
utility of these stations. The cent was of
no consequence; but the inconvenience of
paying it rendered it an unspeakabie nu-
isance
V, Postage on newspapers must ineXorably
be paid in advance. Those casually sent
must be paid for at the mailing office; all
Others at the office whence delivered, and
for not less than one quarter at Il time.
vi. The postage on each newspaper
weighing less than four ounces thus sent
is-For a Weekly, 90 cents per annum ;
Semi Weekly 40; Tri-Weekly, co. Daily,
81 20, or Gf issued on Sundays also) 81 40.
No matter how far conveyed, ii wholly
| within the United States.
transmitted by the Mails of weight ex-
ceeding four pounds.
VII. Registered letters are to pay regis
Sration fee of twenty cents, instead Of the
five now charged
lN. For each newspaper or other periodi-
cal transmitted by mall to one who is not a
regular subscriber, there must be paid two
cents when mailed, for weight not exceed
ing four ounces, and the same for each four
ounces additional
y. All books sent by mail must pay four
cents for any weight not exceeding four
ounces; one cent per ounce for all additional
weight.
NJ. Magazines and other periodicals,
issued less frequently than once per week
pay one cent i'll advance for the first four
auuces, and the same for each additional
four ounces or fraction Of the same
MI. Publishers OF periodicals may incloSe
bills to their subscribers in or with their
papers, or write, print or stamp on them a
notice when their term of subscription or
prepayment expired or will expire without
charge.
NH. Postmasters are authorized to remove
the wrappers from all periodicals or other
mailed matter which shall not have paid
letter postage, to ascertain whether there be
or be not any writing on the inclosure or
matter therein concealed which would justify
a higher postage.
XIV. Franking is greatly restricted by
this act. Postmasters can frank none but
letters on strictly official bursness, under
penalty of $500.
Nv. All Postmasters whose compensation
exceeds s. 900 per annum are to be ap-
pointed by the President the residue by
the Postmaster General.
XVI. Each postmaster and every other
person employed in the collection, mailing,
transportation, distribution and delivery
Of letters, to take an initial oath of fidelity
to the duties enioined on him by the laws,
and to abstain from everything forbidden
thereby. If he neglects or evades this
requirement, he is TO be punished precisely
as if he had taken it.
XVII. Each postmaster must render his
accout quarterly, and pay over all dues.
To retain any on preteNt of offset or claim
against the department is misdcmeanor,
Such are the main provisions of this i'm
portant act, which is calculated at once to
increase the efficiency, the benefccnce, and
the income, of the PostOfliCe Department,
We believe the public is largely indebted
for its provisions To the Hon. VI. Blair,
Postmaster Generel, and to the Hon, Schuyl-
er CotdX, Chairman Of the House Committee
ON Post Offices and Post Roads.
JONI BURNS, over 10 years OF age, a resi-
dent of Gettysburg, fought throughout the
first day and was wounded no less than five
times-the last shot taking cigcct in his an
kle, wounding him severely. lie came up
to Col, Wster, in thiokcst OF the fight, shook
hands with him, and said he came to help
lie was dressed in his best consisting of a
light blue swallow-tailed coat, with brass
buttons, corduroy pantaloons, and stove
pipe hat of considerable height, all of an
cient pattern, and doubtless an heir loom in
his house. lie was armed with regulation
musket. lie loaded and fired unhinchingly
until the last of his five wounds brought him
down, He will recover. His little cottage
was burned by the rebels A purse of a
hundred dollars has been sent 10 him nom
Germantown. Brave John Burns,