The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-08-11
,n,.rc.p,inx Correspond ence.


We have, more than occasion been asked by
posmasicrs whether there are any circumstances in
which II would De proper for them to deliver 10 person
having authority them letters addressed
another The of husband desiring for good
to stop letters TO or from his wife and Of
father wishing obtain possession OF the Objectionable
correspondence u hs daughter. public officer
sccto OF biz letters these and other cases have been
referred 10 aud our opinon asked "a TO the duties Of
pos,masters ander such circumstances
II would perhaps be sufficient answer 10 all questions
ON THIS subieo, TO say that the laws orbiddiug under
heavy penalties the taking, opening, ezzng OF
mail letters make exceptions whatever relation
such letters Nothing in their supposed character
tents referred TO as usthying any person con-
nected the pos, Office in OBTAINING them, vicat.
ing their seals or in knowingly delivering them 10
Unauthorized individual. Under those laws posmas
ter has absolutely no alternative brt TO faithfully and
promptly forward deliver to their proper addresses
when possible 81 letters entrusted 10 his official care.
10 ofen, delay OF tamper with them In any way, ar
for any cause is not ndscreiion nor peccsdilio
but crime and serious one. Nor do the regu
! lations OF the department, which are founded
upon and are reflex and exposition OF the postal laws
anywhere confer wider discretion with regard this
point he persons entitled to receive letters those
whose names are IN the address, " the plain language
OF tho departments Instructions and the directions wbcl
follow H. that .etters addressed delicious persons
firms or & me- particular person or 6rm, TO be
turned tho end OF month the read letter Or.
nee " DO not IMPLY permission to post master TO dis
pose OF even this exceptional class OF letters in any other
manner. frM
Doubtless there many cases in which the ibtercep.
ton correspondence entrusted 10 the mails IL DC
permitted neh maye TO be Of great public aud private
beneh hut IN the eye OF The law tue rights a per-
Sons in this matter arc eaual aud presumption
.sptsais q iter cal idsiify It's dsterou
ans opening so long as Il remains IN the Gus
tody OF In lost ONCE. We're the Otherwise the
good which might sometimes accrue World be msre ID IA
balanced by the the confidence which the
bcole now 81 Justly reptse the security ard invio.a.
bv OF msils lar those results be attained
hy the p otecn which the Law Affords ana wide door
Won I'd thereby be opened Tor fraod and niIsticc.
There many ways IN when the post Office can be,
for the de- ect0n OF crime The reclamation of
errsg children, and similar purposes without violation
OF law dereciion from official duty; apd ali thet
stmaster ieRmately do 70 ard ~ the exercise o.
his office in work Of bouevoenre or Justice, should be
done Bat TOO much canot be token w 50 doing 20
avoid oyerateppiug the boundary whch divides oncisl
drtv otical crime. being made the tool Of de
signing persons
The question 10 the claim 81 me person 20 the cor.
rec lpndence OF another, after il has been rghttuy
control of. the post oshce, ane 10 be set
tied either by state laws or by the parties in.
tetested and means can DOUBTLESS be
by those consider themselves entitled nv law
tura rgh, 70 letters directed 10 others to obtain posses
&c them ~hou. seeking ~ violate the sancty Of the
, mais. rf
parent, too may reasonably DO presumed 10 be
thoried letters addressed minor child or
VINE husband 70 receive each others correspondence
and N most tbs assumption Is correct but where
the contrary T. kncwn M other course for
pursue than strictly the let.
the law nov desirable II may seem 10 be To
do otherwise. aud ia he rguifuv neglect
refus. 10 forward letter property addressed and rcg1
garry deposited IN his office TO sdo cyl that good may
comc Is safer rule In most Office than elsewhere.