Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-12-05
INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS AND
POSTMASTERS.
Containing also conditions to be incsrporated
an the contracts TO the e1tent the De
pdrtD1ent MAJ deem pr0per.

CodtdHHy also cOHdit0aS 10 DC WcOTpOfdte0
IN the contracts TO the e1tent the De
Partment mag 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 ofthe
Post Office Department, also post office
blanks, mail bags, locks and keys, are to
be conveyed without extra charge
3. "Way 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, 10 insure regularity in the deliv
cry of bags aud pouches.
A. No pay will be made for trips not
performed and for each ofsuch omissions
if The failure be occasoued 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,
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 con-
cerned in setting up or running an ex-
press conveying intelligence in advance of
the mail, quar- er's pay may be deducted.
6. Fines will be imposed unless the de-
linquency be promptly and satisfactorily
explained by certificates of postmasters or
the affidavits of other credible per-
sous, for failing TO arrive in contract time;
for neglecting to take the mail from, o.
| delivering it into, post office for suffer
ing it to be wet, injured, 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, a coach, car, or steamboat on 81
route.
7. The Postmaster General may annul
| the contract for repeated failures to ruL
agreeably to contract; for violating the
post Office laws, or disobeying the instruc-
| tons of the Department for refusing to
discharged carrier when required by the
| Department to do Sc; for running an ex'
press as aforesaid or for transporting
persons or packages conveying mailable
matter out of the mail.
8. The Postmaster General may or
der an increase ofservice on a 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 hi 8 judgment shall re-
auire such discontinuance 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 pro rata compensation for the
amount of service retained and discontin-
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