The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-18

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS AND POST
MASTERS
Containing also conditions to be incor-
pOrated in the contracts to the ertent the
Department may deem proper.
L. Seven minutes are allowed to each inter-
mediate office, when not otherwise specified, for
asserting the mails.
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.
"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.
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 CONT az
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, proportional
to the nature thereof, and the Importance of the
mail, may be made.
s. 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
advance of the mail, a 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 aflidayits 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 as frequently as 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 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 as aforesaid; or for transporting persons
OF packages conveying mailable matter out OF
s. The Postmaster General may order an in
crease of service on 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
in part in order to place on the route superior
service, or whenever the public interests, in his
| Judgment, shall require such discontinuance or
punishment for any other cause; be allowing as
| full indemnity to contractor one months extra
pay on the amount of service dispensed with,
| and pro rata compensation for the amount OF
service retained and continued.
g. Payments will be made by collections from
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
stantially 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 on this point, and
also in reference to the weight of the mail. the
condition of hills, roads, streams, &C., and ali
toll-bridges, turnpikes, plank-roads, ferries, oil
| be Incurred. No claim for additional pay, based
| on such ground, can be considered; nor for alleg
| ed mistakes or misrepresentation as to the degree
of service nor for bridges destroyed, ferries dis
| continued, or other distractions causing or in
i creasing distance or expense occurring during
/ the contract term Offices established after this
advertisement Is issued, and also during the con
tract term are TO 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 e Up. M, March s, 1879, for bids
received after time totI net be considered in com
petition with bids, of reasonable amount, re
| ceyed in time Neither can bids be considered
| which are without the guarantee required by
law, and q certificate of the suiiiciency OF suct
guarantee and the oath of the bidder according
| to section 246, act of June s, 1872,
IL. Bidders should first propose for service
strictly according to the advertisement, anC
then, II they desire. separately for different serv
ice; and If tho regular bid be the lowest Offered
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, tine yearly pay, tn
name and residence OF the Bladder lthat is hi