The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-03

INSTRUCTIONS TO IN POST
MASTERS:
| Containing also conditions to be incor-
porated 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, for
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.
8. "Way bills'' CT receipts prepared by post
masters, or other agents of the Department, will
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 occasioned 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 the eof, and the importance Of the
mail, may be made.
8. 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, a quarters pay may be
deducted.
s. Fines will be imposed, unless the delinquen.
cy be promptly and satisfactorily explained by
certificates OF postmasters or the afiidavits of
other credible pei sons, for failing to arrive in
contract time; for neglecting TO take the mail
from, or deliver it into, a 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, a coach, car, or steam
boat on 4 route.
z. The Postmaster General may annul the
contract for repeated failures to run agreeably
to contract; for violating the post office la avs, or
disoheying the instructions OF the department;
for refusing to discharge a carrier when required
by the Department 10 do so for running an ex-
pres. as afor, said or for transporting persons
OF packages conveying mailabie matter out OF
the mail,
s. The 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-
vais 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 placr on the route superior
service. or whenever the public Interests, in his
Judgment, shall require such discoutinuance OF
curtailment for any other cause; be allowing as
full indemnity t cont actor one months extra
pay on the amount of service dispensed with
and a pro rata compensation for the amount o.
service retained and continued.
8. Payments will be made by collections from
or drafts on, postmasters or otherwise, after ths
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
stantially correct; but no increased pay will b.
allowed should they be greater TIL n advertised
if the points to be supplied are c. rrectly stated
Bidders must Inform themselves ON this point, AM
also in reference to the weight of the mail. tn!
8 condition of hills, roads, streams, &C., and al
toli-bridges, ~turnpikes, plank-roads, ferries, o
; Instructions of any kind by which expense ma
be incurred. No claim Tor additional pay, base'
! on such ground, can be considered; nor tor alleg
ed mistakes or misapprehension as to the degr
of service; nor for bridges destroyed, ferries dis
0 continued, or other distractions causing or In
creasing distance or expense occurring durln
the contract term, Offices established after thi
ADVERT ement is issued. and also during the cor
! tract term, are TO be visited without extra pay,
the distance be not increased.
IL. Bidders are cautioned to mail their propt
sails in time to reach the Department by the da
and hour named Is p M, March 8, 1871, for bid
) received after time aoiH nst be considered in CON
; petition with bids, OF reasonable amount, n
ceiyed in time. Neither can bids be considere
which are without the guarantee required o
law, and @ certificate of the suficiepcy OF sue
guarantee, and the oath of the bidder aecordtn
to section GAG, act of June 8, 1872. :.
IL, Eidders should first propose Tor serVic
7, strictly according to the advertisement, an
then, if they desire. separately for different ser
ice; and If the regular bid be the lowest offere
s for the advertised service. the other proposition
may be considered.
IS. There should be but one route bid for In
proposal. Consolidated or combination b,
n. t''pra posing one sum for two or more rontes
ld cannot be considered.
nd IA. The route, the service, tine yearly pay, I
name and residence Of the bidder (that is