The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-01
INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS AND POST.
MASTERS
Containing also conditions to be alcor-
porated IN the contracts to the ertent the
Department may deem proper.

| Z
| l.. Seven minutes are allowed to each inter.
| mediate office, when not otherwise specified, for
asserting the mails.
2. On routes where the mode of conveyance
admits of it, the special agents of the Post Office
Department, also post office blanks, mail bags.
locks and keys, are to be conveyed without extra
charge.
8. Way Bills or receipts prepared by post
masters, or other agents of the Department, will
accompany the mails, specifying the number
and destination of the several bags, to be ex-
amined by the postmasters, to insure regularity
in the delivery of bags, and pouches.
A. No pay. will be made for trips not per
formed and for each of such omissions, if the
failure be occasoned by the fault of the contrac-
tor or carrier, three times the pay of the trip
will be deducted. For arrivals so far behind
time as to break connection with depending
mails, and not sufficiently excused one.fourth of
the compensation for the trip if subject to for
feiture For repeated delinquencies of the kind
herein specified, enlarged penalties, proportioned
mail, may be made.
5. For leaving behind or throwing off the mails,
or any portion OF them, for the admission of
passengers. or for being concerned in setting up
or running an express conveying intelligence in
advance OF the mail, quarters pay may be
deducted.
g. Fines will be imposed unless the delinquen.
cy be promptly and satisfactorily explained by
certificates OF postmasters or the affidavits of
other credible persons, for failing to arrive in
contract time; for neglecting to take the mail
from, or deliver it into, post office for suffer-
ing it to be wet, injured, destroyed, robbed or
lost; and for refusing, after demand, to convey
the mail as frequently as the contractor runs, or
is concerned in running, coach, car, or steam,
boat on q route.
7. The Postmaster General may annul the
contract for repeated failures to run agreeably
TO contract; for violating the post office laws
disobeying the instructions of the Department;
for refusing to discharge carrier when required
by the department to do SO /; for running an ex-
press as aforr said; or for transporting persons
packages conveying mailabla ont of
the mail.
s. The Postmaster General may order an in.
crease OF service on route by allowing there-
for a pro rata increase on the contract paw He
may change schedules of departures and arri-
walls In all cases, and particularly TO make them
conform to connections with railroads, without
increase OF pay, provided the running time be
not abridged The Postmaster General NAV
also discontinue or curtail the service, in whole
or In part, in order to place the route superior
service, or whenever the public interests, In his
judgment, shall require such dscontinuance or
curtailment for any other cause he allowing as
full indemnity cont actor one months extra
pay ON the amount of service dis pensed with
and pro rata compensation for the amount of
service retained and continued.
g. Payments will be made by collections from
or drafts on. Iostmasters or otherwise, after the
expiration OF each quarter-say in November
February, May, ahd August provided that re-
quired evidence of service has been received
10. The distances given are believed TO be sub
stanually correct; but no increased pay will be
allowed should they be greater tn IN advertised,
If the points TO be supplied are rrectly stated
Bidders must inform themselves on this point and
| also in reference to the weight of the mail, t.
condition OF hills, roads, streams, &c., and all
| toll-bridges, turnp kes, planl-roads ferries, or
Instructions of any kind by which expense NAV
be incurred. No claim tor additional pay based
on such ground, can be considered; nor for aleR.
ed mistakes or Misrepresentation as to the degr g
of service; for bridges destroyed ferries dis
continued, or other obstruc lions causing OF In
creasng distance or expense occurring during
the contract term. Offices established after this
ADVERT ement is issued and also during the con-
tract tenn, are 10 be visited without extra pay If
the distance be otincreased.
II. Bidders are cautioned to mail their propo-
sails In time TO reach the Department by the day
and hour named Is p m, March 8, 1871 for bids
received after time aoiL not be considered in com.
| petition with bids, OF reasonable amount, re
| ceiyed in time. Neither can bids be considered
which are without the guarantee required by
| law, and certificate of the suflciency of such
| guarantee, and the oath OF the bidder according
| to section 246, act of June 8, 1872
IL. ldders should first propose for service
strictly according TO the advertisement. and
then, If they desire, separately for different sery-
ice; aud If the regular bid be the lowest offered
for the advertised service, the other propositions
| may be considered. -
| IS. There should be but one route bid for in a
| proposal. Consolidated or combination bids
| c'pr posing one sum for two or more rontes'')
cannot be considered
/ "a. The route, the service, the yearly pay, the
| name ana residence Of the bidder (that Is his