The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-26
INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS AND POST
MASTERS:

UOfUtCtt III Ltc COItIuCtS u ItC GLttfb TIC
Department may deem proper.
/. 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
Department, also post office blanks, mail bags.
locks and keys. are to be conveyed without extra
charge.
8. hWay bills' CT 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 occasioned by the fault of the contrac
tor or carrier, three times the pay of the trip
will DO 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 delinquepcies of the kind
herein specified, enlarged penalties, proportional
to the nature the eof, and the importance Of the
g. 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.
8. Fines will be imposed, unless the deinquen.
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
lost; and for refusing, after demand, to convey
the mail Us frequently the contractor runs, or
| is concerned in running, coach, car, or steam.
boat on a route.
7. The Postmaster General may annul the
contract for repeated failures to run agreeably
to contract; for violating the post office la WIS, 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 as 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 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
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 discontinuance or
curtailment for any other cause; he allowing as
| full indemnity t, contractor one months extra
pay on the amount of service dispensed with,
| and a pro rata compensation for the amount OF
| service retained and continued.
0. 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
/ allowed should they be greater than advertised
If the points to be supplied are correctly stated
Bidders must INFORM themselves this point, and
also in reference to the weight of the mail, the
condition Of hills, roads, streams, &C., and all
| toll-bridges, turnpkes, plank-roads. ferries o,
Instructions OF any kind by which expense may
be incurred No claim tor additional pay, based
on such ground, can be considered; nor for alleg-
ed mistakes or Misrepresentation as to the degr c
of service; nor for bridges destroyed, ferries dis
continued, or other distractions causing or in
| creasing distance or expense occurring during
the contract term Offices established after this
advertis ement Is issued, and also during the con
tract term, are 10 be visited without extra pay Il
the distance be not increased.
IL. Bidders are cautioned to mail their propo
sails in time to reach the Department by the day
and hour named Isl m, March s. 1879, for bid
received after time soill net be considered In com
| eeived In time. Neither can bids be considered
which are without the guarantee required b,
law, and certificate of the sufficieDcy of suoi
| guarantee, and the oath of the bidder according
| to section 246, act Of June s, 1879
| r. fSidders should first propose for seryic,
strictly according to the advertisement ant
ice; and if the regular bid be the lowest offsre
for the advertised service, the other proposition
may be considered
| IS. There should be but one route bid for In
proposal. Consolidated or combination bid
. ('proposing one sum for two or more routes
| cannot be considered.
IA. The route, the service, the yearly pay, Ii
name and residence Of the bidder that Is h