The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-07-24
NEW POSTAL REGULATIONS
Notifications i'm Rates of Postage and Clas-
sification of Matter.
From the New York lines.

MOdInCatlOnS IN Rates OF fOSCASe aHu Clds'
sification of Matter.
from the New York lines
By the provisions OF recent acts OF
Congress, as construed by the Postoffice
Department, various important modif-
cations have been made in rates OF
postage and in the classification of mail
matter. As the changes will largely
affect the mercantile, insurance, and
other interests, and as they are at pres
emit but imperfectly understood, the
subioined detailed information upon
the subject has been obtained through
inquiry at the Postoffice. Jtmay be re-
lied opon as being in accord with the
latest official rulings and decisions of
the department, and as absolutely cor
rect. The rate on commercial papers,
insurance documents, papers in legal
proceedings, etc, when partly in print
and partly in writing, has heretofore
per half ounce. All such articles have
now, with the exceptions mentioned,
been assigned to the third class of mail
matter, and as such are chargeable with
postage at the rate of | cent for each
two ounces when sent in unsealed en-
velopes or wrappers. The exceptions
are: Ii such articles contain writing in
the nature of personal correspondence,
or are in themselves the representatives
of monetary valne. In these cases
they become first-class mail matter, and
as such are chargeable with the letter
rates of postage. According to the
latest rulings of the department (Which
reverse number of those recently
made under th- same law, the specific
examples of the exceptions to third
class matter are: Insurance policies
signed and in force, daily insurance re-
ports, insurance transfers, notices OF
premiums due, assignments, transfers,
applications for insurance, promissory
notes, attached to premiums or not, and
all notices from local agents to policy
holders respecting renewals, cancella-
tions, receipts, or other kindred matter;
also, all signed notes, checks, drafts,
deeds, bonds, bills of lading, receipted
bills, and signed receipts of all kinds.
Insurance policies, Cancelled or incom-
plete; unrece1pted bills, invoices, and
monthly statements may all be sent at
third-class rates of postage.
The former restrictions as to writing
in books have been removed, to the ex-
tent of permitting a simple manuscr pit
dedication, or form of presentation, to
be written on the covers or blank pages.
Manuscript for publication, when &C
companied by proof-sheets, may be sent
at third class rates; but unless SO &C
companied, is chargeable at letter rates.
Architectural and other drawings made
by hand, heretofore charged at letter
rates, are now assigned to the fourth
class, and may be sent on payment of
postage at cent per ounce, as may
also original paintings in oil or water
cOlors, etc. Chromos are rated as third
class matter unless mounted on cloth or
pasteboard, M which case they belong
to the fourth class. Postage and reve-
nue. stamps are now i'll the fourth class.
Articles of glass, formerly excluded
from the mails, may now be sent at
fourth-class rates q cent per ounce,
provided they are secured SO as to
guard against injury to other mail mat
ter in case of breakage, and are boxed
In accordance with certain instructions
contained in the United States Postal
Guide. Original packages of tobacco,
and boxes of cigars, and other articles
sealed by internal revenue stamps,
which were formerly charged at letter
rates, are now placed in the fourth class
by decision of the department., which
states that they "will regard the stamp
placed over the cover or opening of
such packages as evidence that no mat
ter is contained therein which is sub
iect to letter rates of postage"
All persons who desired to avail them
selves of the concessions noted above
will understand that they involve GER
tain drawbacks. For EXAMPLE, with the
single exception of the packages sealed
by internal revenue stamps, all mail
matter not sent at letter rates must be
left open to inspection by the postoffice
authorities. No articles, other than
letters and postal CARDS, can be returned
to the senders on request; nor forward
ed to other offices, unless again fully
prepaid, in case the persons addressed
have removed: nor can they be .adver-
tised; but, if found Unbelievable or
uncalled for, they will be sent to the
Dead-Letter Office Mail matter of the
third and fourth classes is not assorted
and put up with, or in the same man
ner as letters being placed loose in can,
vas sacks and not in locked pouches;
and, of course, whenever it is necessary,
on account of unusual accumulation of
mail matter or other reasons, to give
preference in dispatch, it is always &C
corded to letter mail. II !