The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-20
Dated ........ 1877.
INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS AND POST
MASTERS.

MASTERS.
Contaiinq also conditions to be Incorporated in the
contracts to the ertent the Department may deem'
proper.
]. Seven minutes are allowed to each intermedi-
ate Office when not otherwise specified, for assort-
ing the mails.
mts of it, the special agents of the Post Office De-
partment, also post office blanks, mail bags, locks
and keys are to be conveyed without extra charge.
3. SWAY bills" or receipts prepared by postmas-
tiers or other agents of the Department, will accom-
pany the mails, specifying the number and destina-
ion the several bags, to be examined by the post
MASTER to insure regularity in the delivery of bags
4. No nav will be made for trips not performed;
and for each of such omissions if the failure be oc-
casioned by the fault of the contractor OF 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
fourth of the compensation for the trip is sub
ject to forfeiture For repeated delinquences OF the
kind herein specified enlarged penalties. proper
toned to the nature thereof and the Importance OF
the mail, may be made.
any portion of them, for the admission of passen-
gers for being concerned in setting up OF running
an express conveying intelligence in advance of the
mail quarters pay may be deducted.
g. Fines will be imposed, unless the delinquency
be promptly and satisfactorily explained by certi-
Gates of postmasters or che adavits OF other cred
ble persons, for failing to arrive in contract time;
for neglecting to take the mail from, deliver it in
to post ofce for suffering it to be wet, injured,
DESTROYED robbed or lost and for refusing a t de
tractor runs, is concerned in running coach, car
or steamboat on a route
T. The Postmaster General may annul the con-
tract for repeated failures to run agreeably TO CON
tract: for violating the post Office laws, or dsobey-
ing tile instructions of the Department; TOR refusing
to discharge carrier when required by the Depart
ment to do so: for running an express as aforesaid
or for transporting persons or packages conveying
mailabe matter out ct the mall. -
s. The Postmaster General may order an increase
of service on route by allowing therefor pro rata
increase on the contract pay. lie may cnahge scneu
ues departures and arrivals in all ss, ana par
ticularly to make them conform to connections Win
railroads, without increase OF pay, provided the run,
ming time be not abridged. The Postmaster General
may also discontinue or curtail the SERVICE IN whoe
in part in order to place OF the route superior
service or whenever the public interests, in bis Judg-
ment shall require such dscontinuance or curta1-
for any other cause; he allowing as ful ndem-
nifty to contractor, one months extra pay on the
amount of service dispensed with, and pro rata
compensation for the amount of service retained anu
continued.
o. Payments will be made by collections from, or
drafts on pOstmasters otherwise alter the eXplra-
ton of each quarteT-say in November, February,
May, and August, provided that required evidence
of service has been received.
10. The distances given believed to be sub
stantiay correct; but no Increased pay VIII pc al
lowed should they be greater than advertised the
points to be supplied are correctly stated. bsoaerS
must inform Themselves this point and also in
reference to the weight of the ma the condition OF
hill roads, streams, &c. and all toll-bridges turn
mixes pank-roads, ferries, or distractions OF any
kind by which expense may De mcurreu. 40 ciah
for Additional pay, based on such ground, can be
oonsidered: nor for alleged mistakes or misappre-
benson as 10 the degree of services; nor Tor bridges
DESTROYED ferries discontinued or other DISTINCTIONS
cansinp or increasing distance or expense occurring
during the cont act term. Offices establlshed aIter
this advertisement is issued and also during the con-
tract term are to be visited without extra pay II the
distance be not increased.