Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-12-12
Dated
INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS AND
POSTMASTERS.
Containing also c0nditi9ns to be Incorporated
in the contracts 10 the extent the De-
partmeat may deem proper,

Containing also conditions to be incorporated
in the contracts 10 the extem the De-
partmeat may deem proper
|. Seven minutes are allowed to each
intermediate office, when not otherwise
specified, for asserting the mails.
On routes where the mode of convey
ance 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.
3. "Nay bills" or receipts prepared
by postmasters or other agents of the De-
partment, will accompany the mails, spec
flying the number and destination of the
several bags, TO be examined by the post
masters, TO insure regularity in the deliy-
cry of bags and pouches.
A. No pay will be made for trips not
performed and for each ofsuch omissions
if the failure be occasioned b> the fault of
the contractor or carrier, three times the
pay of the trip will be deducted. For ar
rivals so far behind time as to break con-
nection with depending mails and not
sufficiently excused, one fourth of the
compensation for the trip is subject to for
FIXTURE. For repeated deinquencies Of the
kind herein specified, enlarged penalties,
proportional o the nature there. f and the
importance of the mail may be made.
s. For leaving behind or throwing off
the mails, or any portion Of them, Tor the
admission Of passengers, or for being con-
cerned in setting up or running an ex-
press conveying intelligence in advance of
the mail, quar- err S pay may be deducted.
8 Fines will be imposed unless the de-
linquency be promptly and satisfactorily
explained by certificates Of posimastcrs or
the affidavits of other credible per-
sons. for falling to arrive in contract time;
for neglecting to take the mail from, o.
delivering it into a post Office for suffer
ing it TO be wet, rjIred, destroyed, rob.
bed, or lost; and for refusing, after de-
mand, to convey the mail as frequently as
the contractor runs, or is concerned in
running, coach, car, or steamboat on n
route.
7. The Postmaster General NAV annul
the contract for repeated failures to ruL
agreeaoly to contract; for violating the
post office laws, or disobeying the instruc-
tions of the Department for refusing to
discharge carrier when required by the
Department to do sc for running an ex.
press as aforesaid; or for transporting
pSfGouS VI pdChdACo convey iuS muildblC
matter out of the mail.
8. The Postmaster General may or
der an increase of service on route by al
lowing therefor a pro rata increase on the
contract pay. He may change schedules
of departure and arrivals in all cases, and
particularly to make them conform TO con-
nections 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 re-
quire such discontiuuance or curtailment
for any other cause; he allowing, as full
indemnity to contractor, one months ex-
ira pay on the amount OF service dispensed
with, and a pro rata compensation for the
amount of service retained and discontn-
ued
8. Payments will be made by collections
from, or drafts on, postmasters or other
wise, after the expiration of each quarter
say in November, February, May, and
August, provided that required evidence
Of service has been received.
10. The distances given are believed to
be substantially correct but no increased
pay will be allowed should they be greater
than advertised, if the points to be sup
piled are correctly stated Bidders must
inform themselves on this point, and also in
reference TO the weight of the mail, the