Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-05-23
Duties of Postmasters.

A correspondent writes to learn if postmas-
ters have the privilege Of opening newspapers
and reading the same before delivering to sub
scribers. They have not. The newspaper
going to subscriber is as much his or her
property as letter under SEAL. And where
the postmaster is honest be will no more think
of delaying newspaper, or a book, apamph-
let, or the least Of mail matter going through
his Office, than he would of depriving any
one of that which was of untold value
In many localities the weekly newspaper is
more than a welcome visitor. There are
thousands of homes in the country where one
newspaper a week is all the reading received,
and all the means of acquiring information
concerning the goings on Of the world beyond
the little home where the subscriber may re-
side And there are many homes in tie land
where not even one newspapers taken.
When boy, one weekly newspaper came
to our house. 1t was brought by mail-car-
rier, who was authorized to take the paper
from the post-ofiice where he stopped to have
the mail changed and bring it to our home.
and when came the day for the mail-carrier
often have we waited and looked down the
road an hour at a time, watching for his COM
ing. so anxious were we for newspaper and
something toread. Toa family in the country,
away from the busy scenes of hIe-unable TO
learn what is going on except from the paper,
single issue is Of more importance, breaking
in, as il does, upon the monotony Of laborers
life. than would be thousand papers to one
in the city. The subscriber, after he has paid
his money, wants his paper. He wants it for
its market reports, its news, its editorials, Its
variety Of reading matter. At all events, he
wants the paper, and having paid for it, 1t Is
his. And paying as we all do for support Of
the Government, it is the duty Of the govern
ment to protect the citizen in the least as well
as the greatest matters. And so a newspaper
"A little, simple thing though it be-publlshed
in great city, or by some struggling young
printer in the country, should be allowed to 90
its way, aud reach its destination without
hindrance
If the paper is Of interest to the postmaster
or postmasters clerk, so much so that they
would delay it and read it, keeping it from the
rightrul owner, think Of how much moro in
terest it would be to the one who is waiting
and wishing for bis looked-lor friend and fire.
side ompanion-wondcring all the while why
| it does OF come.
Many persons connected with the post-ofiice
department detain newspapers from thought
lessness, thinking them of no particular value
Many clerks are in the habit Of taking news
papers from bundles and reading them When
called to wait on some caller, tho paper is
dropped on the foor-another person picks it
up. It's again read, mussed, and crumped.g
This person is called away-down goes the
paper, until at last, it is kicked around torn
and some time after the owner who has called
for it has gone. placed again where it belongs
perhaps lost to the subscriber forever.
Wedonot feel disposed toquarrel or ghtwith
those whose thoughtlessness gives others trouble
and disappointment; but we do ask those who
have sworn to perform their duty well to be
more considerate Of those to whom weekly
newspaper is a comfort, a blessing, and treas
ure, helping, as it does, to while away hours
which otherwise would hang heavily.
No matter whether the paper agrees in SEN
timent politically or religiously, with the post
master or not. He would not like to have his
paper-thc one that is a favorite with himself
and family-detained. As ye would that
others should DO unto you, do yc even SO unto
them. ."-Ne1c York Democrat.