Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-03-31
L eitcr from Hon. A. n. WaddeII in He
gard to Postr"utes Post offices, south
crn Claims. sc.

letter from Hon. A. n. WaddeII in Re
Eurd to Post-r"utes, Post Offices, south
crn Claims sc.
WASHINGTON, March Goth, 1871.
Editor Of The Journal As letters reach
me almost daily asking information in re-
gard to mail routes, and sometimes con-
tanning minute and elaborate proposals for
opening routes and carrying the mails,
&C., ask short space in your columns
for explanation of the subject to those of
your readers who may be interested in it,
The following extract, from the adver-
tisement of the Postmaster General Of
September 3Oth, 1870, inviting proposals
for carrying the mails in North Carolina,
will explain the matter as 10 neo routes,
viz;
'"The authority to establish post-routes
is not vested in the Postmaster General,
nor can he extend or lengthen those al
ready established. He can only place mail
service on such roads as have been declared
post-routes by act of Congress. and for the
expense OF which appropriation has been
made. ALI railroads, plankroads, canals,
navigable rivers and other waters are,
however. p"st-roads by law and also the
road from the nearest post office on an es-
tablished ronte to the Court House Of the
county which may be otherwise without
mail"
The reOpaning Of old routes is disere-
tionary with the Post Master General, and
is usually applied for by petition of the
citizens along the route which is desired
Now, in regard to contracts for carrying
the mails along routes already established,
parties will be furnished upon application
to the I'D Assistant Post Master General"
Tor to me) with blank forms of proposal,
which ought in every case to be strictly
followed. otherwise no attention will be
paid to their bids. The act of March Sd.
1916, requires contracts to be let to the lou
est bidder te~dering sufficient guarantees,
Without regard to lie mode of TRANSFORMATION.
provided it is done with ''celerity, Ger
tainty and security" It is. therefore, a
mere waste of time. ink and paper to write
letters about ho,0 parties propose to carry
contract has nothing to do but to get the
necessary blanks, fill them, send to the I'd
Assistant p. III. General, and wait his re-
ply.
The establishment and discontinuanee
of POST offices is discretionary with the
Post Master General. and when one is de-
sired, petition setting forth the name of
the once, OF the person desired as Post
Master, and the route on which it is 10
Gated should be forwarded.
There is one other matter about which
information is frequently asked, viz: the
Commission appointed by the last Con-
gress to settle the claims Of loyal persons
for stores, &C., taken or supplied during
the war. Il will settle the matter for
almost every one in my District to state
that the claimant must prove:
doubt
I'd. That the property taken was either
or commissary stores, or |
ships.
Sd. That the property was taken during
the sedr.
Hoping that have not trespassed too |
much on your space, and that the infor- |
nation furnished may be of some service
to few Of your readers, 1 am, in haste, |
Very respectfully,
A. M. WADDELL.
Z. 3. Although a small matter. it is |
perhaps as well TO say that persons writing |
20 me need not put stamps on their letters. |
Papers OF the Third Congressional Dis
trict please copy.