Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-12-18
OLYMPIA; SATURDAY. MORNING, DEC. IS, 1869.
A Postal Change-A Public Hardship.

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the district of Oregon and Washington,
has authorized change in the schedule
between this place and Portland, giving
an increase of time to both the steam
boat and the stage service. AS far as
this increase of time on the river is con-
cerned there seems to be no excuse at
all for it, nor indeed for that on the
stage line when we consider that for nine
years the mail has been carried on the old
schedule, and in much worse weather and
poorer condition of the roads, to the entire
satisfaction of our citizens. 1t can he car.
ried now on the old schedule just as we'll
Several thousand dollars were expended
on the road last season, and no great fall
of rain has occurred to render travel more
difficult than in past seasons. The new
schedule is as follows: Leave Mondays,
Wednesdays and Thursday at $50 p. NJ.
Instead Of the morning Of those days, as
heretofore, and to arrive on Sundays,
Wednesdays aud Fridays, at P. NJ.
The postal laws and the regulations of
the Department specifically prescribe see-
eral causes for which application for a
change ofschedule shall not be granted, as
follows:
l. Without the assent Of the postmasters at
the ends Of the route, except in case of mani
fest necessity.
2. Unless agreed to by the contractor, except
in cases where the proprety Of the change is
clearly shown.
3. I'm running time is asked than is in
the contract schedules.
4. Ii it breaks connection with any other
route.
s. Ifit puts the mail on a wrong day for the
newspapers circulated over the route.
6. fit prevents or lessons any other special
accommodation TO the public.
7. If it fails to show good reason for the
change.
First, The consent of Mr. Munson, our
Postmaster, was not obtained, but he was
required by the Postal Agent to affix his
signature to the blank sanctioning the
change. lie believed it then, as he does
now, to have been unwarranted and great
hardship upon the public. Second, the
change is made at the solicitation of the
contractors, but the propriety' Of it is
not clearly shown; the only fact that is
apparent is, it conflicts with public inter-
est, and no better reason is urged for
the change than that which has applied
the past nine years. Third, a weeks
time is consumed in correspondence with
Portland, distance of about $50 miles,
instead of the four days required at times
when the nation was poorer and the roads
worse than they are now. Fourth, the
new schedule breaks connection with the
Steilacoom and the Mason county mails
Fifth, it puts the mail on the wrong day
for the newspapers, which depend in agreat
measure upon the Portland dailies fol-
news. The first stage which arrived un.
der the new regulations, was about three
hours behind the new schedule time
Publishers will therefore be compelled tc
wait till Friday evening for the same news
heretofore received on Thursday evening
to put in type, read proof, and make up
mail" the same night, and carry it to the
Office after business hours, and long after
innocence has sought its pillow and only
crime stalks forth. The task performed
under such circumstances cannot be vel
done, and greater weight is added to the
already la5orious duties Of the publisher
Sixth, the new schedule allows the
Postmaster to close the letter mail al
sP. NJ, affording, when the mail is sever.
a hours behind time, no opportunity ia
to send replies by return mail. Lastly 70
We afhrm that no good nor sufficient reason
exists for change now that has not ap.
Piled with ten-fold force at many times
since the establishment Of the service. Lu,