New-York tribune., 1867-05-30
"RAILR0AD BUSINESS.p
Fron The Intel St,iD. MI

From The Unite, States Mail
| The following letter. addressed by the Postmaster
GeheraI 10 the President OF prominent Railroad Com
pany, VIII serve to correct the erroneous tn
subject to which relates which appear TO have beer
heid Dy many others than the gentlemen to whom 1t
specially addressed That the simple Endorsement OF
letter with the words Railroad Busness-ITee" entitle
1t to be carried by railroad company over its road out
side OF the mall without violation OF the postal laws
dension which has deprived the Department of a no
inconsderable revenue, and which needs to be dgpeed
as it efectually is by this letter.
| PosTOFFIcE DEPARTMENT, April 4, 1867.
SIR nave received your letter OF the 18th u rolaY VI
20 the carrying OF letters the business of railroads
which the mails earned without the payment of post
| age. -
lou must bear In nsA that the Postmaster General.
nke sJ other executive officer rs,st perform his duty
according TO his own Interpretation ef the law.
Ile laws on this subject see Postay Laws chap N from
LAW OF 81 March, 1926 to tae present time arc
uniform I'D intent aud meaning
The latest enactment is thae Of sd March H Stats
large ISe} The ninth section OF thrf (see sec
Postal Laws and following sestions prohibits the cor
yeyanoe sy private cypress Of mailabse natter and
o o shah DO exacted and paid The ents section for
bds me esnyeyassc of maabe matter, any
steamboat packet boat other ysclo or vessel car
ryng The mail at stated periods post routes except
such a relate 10 some part OF the freight ut the
same time conveyed The same section aso aflixes a
penalty on the owners Of such conveyances and
on lho uflVer, captain, or conductor OF $50.
inc eloYenth section prohibits vehicles vessels
Tying te na from transporting over mad routes persons
Ihs seco MAKES an exception In favor OF persons who
carry pE ne, letters e, s.A without eompensation;
sec 5O fostal Laws and motel stamped envelopes
II not the only OF preventing frauds which resulted
In the very considerable reduction OF the Revenue Depart
ment The same act authorized the Postmaster
to allow malabe matter placed in stamped envelopes to
be carried out OF the mail This intended for the
convenience OF merchants and traders who often desire
to SEND by special esscngers and other persons
over regular mail routes.
1t follows from this FIRST that been the uni
mission OF letters except Through the mails and to ax
penalty for the violation OF the law.
That in order 10 protect the POstOfice Department
from udS and also to promote the convenience OF the
maabe matter therein contained could DO carried out Of
the mails and that these envelopes have been largely
That there authority vested in the Postmaster
General TO change modify the law. and that railroad
corporations stand tho footing other business
firms aud corporations they must be subject TO the Same
laws.
That the only relief from this postage tax that can be
afforded to railroad companies must through Con
grcss. new law may be passed which will afford the
could be framed which would not give the privilege
TO steamboat stage coach, and canal lines
II win not be pretended that the employees of railroads
who carry these letters carry them without compensa-
ton 1t is made part Of their duty by the officers OF the
Company and should they refuse 70 perform that duty
they would DE Immediately discharged.
note your suggestion-"Dd Congress intend that
these great arteries Of commerce, built at great
peusc should not have sclfexistencean authority 10
support themselves an ungnest,oaee rgnt o, Gpep
mon scald be made Oh the organic power-the Govern
ncnf r.
To thu only reply that by transmitting such letters
ns you sscntioA mail route, the railroads DO in
fringe the Law OF the land and that IL Congress had
Intended 10 confer the franng privilege upon railroad
officers law would have been passed to that effect
There II no reason, that Of why railroads
should be exempt from postal tax that Is paid unVer-
sally by other corporations.
1 am OF the opinion that the construction placed upon
The law by the Third Assistant Postmaster General was
-orrcct under e existing law; and That y s my duty 10
compel ali officers and employees OF railroad corporations
a. well as other mail contractors 20 nay upon all letters
,ot relating TO hclght cargo at the time con
seycd the same postal maiabte matter is paid
by other corporal by Express Co6nanies by merch
ants, traders, and manufacturers Respectfully
ALEX W. RANDALL, Postmaster General.