The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-16

$780, -
INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS AND POST
MASTERS
Containing also conditions to be incor-
pOrdted IN the contracts to the extent the
Department may deem proper.
L. Seven minutes are allowed to each inter-
mediate office, when not otherwise specified, TOR
asserting the mails
2. On routes where the mode of conveyance
admits OF 1t, the special agents of the Post Office
Department, also post Office blanks, mail bags
locks and keys, are to be conveyed without extra
charge.
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.
4. 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
| fixture. For repeated delinquencies of the kind
herein specified, enlarged penalties proportional
| to the nature thereof, and the importance Of the
mai, may be made.
6. 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.
| 6. Fines will be imposed, unless the Delinquent
| cy be promptly and satisfactorily explained by
| certificates of postmasters or the affidavits OF
other credible persons, for falling 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 the contractor runs, or
| is concerned in running, q coach, car, or steam
boat on route.
| T. The Postmaster General may annul the
| contract for repeated failures to run agreeably
to contract for violating the post office laws, or
disobeying the instructions of the Department ;
for refusing to discharge carrier when required
| by the Department to do so for running an ex.
press rs aforesaid or for transporting persons
| OF packages conveying mailable matter out OF
| the mail.
| s. The Postmaster General may order an in.
| crease of service on a route by allowing there.
for pro rata increase on the contract pay. 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 may
also discontinue or curtail the service, in whole
or in part in order to place on the route superior
service, or whenever the public interests, in his
judgment, shall require such discontinuance OF
| curtailment for any other cause; he allowing as
full indemnity to contractor one months extra
| pay on the amount of service dispensed with
and pro rata compensation for the amount o.
service retained and continued.
| o. Payments will be made by collections from
or drafts on, postmasters or otherwise after the
| expiration of each quarter-say in November
February, May, and August, provided that re-
quired evidence OF service has been received.
10. The distances given are believed to be sub
stantialy correct; but no increased pay will be