Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-25
NEW POSTAL RULES,
notifications in Hates Of Postage ans
Classification OF Matter.

"oatheauons tn mates Of Postage and
Classification of Matter. -
By the provisions of recent acts OF
Congress, as construed by the Postoffice
department, various important modifcat
tions have been made In rates of postage
and in the classification of mail matter.
AS these changes will largely affect the
mercantile, insurance and other interests
and rs they are ut present but imper-
iectly understood, the subjoined detailed
information upon the subject has been
obtained by New York paper through
inquiry at the postoflice. 1t NAV be re-
lied upon Ms being in accord with the
latest official rulings and decisions of the
department, and ms abso lutely correct.
The rate on commercial papers, ingur-
ance documents, papers in legal proceed
ilngs, etc, when partly In print and partly
In writing, has heretofore been the same
as on letters, viz, three cents per hal
ounce. All such articles have now, with
the exceptions mentioned, been assigned
10 the third class of mail matter, and ms
such are chargeable with postage at the
rate of one cent for each two ounces.
when sent in unsealcd envelopes or
wrappers. The exceptions are: II such
articles contain writing in the nature of
personal correspondence. or are in them
selves the representatives Of monetary
value. In these cases they become first
class mail matter, and, as such are
chargcablc with letter rates of postage.
According 10 the last rulings of the de
partmcnt (whIch reverse n number of
those recently made under the same law),
the specific examples ofthc exceptions TO
third class matter are: Insurance poll
cies signed and in force. daily insurance
reports, insurance transfers, notices of
premiums due. assignments, transfers,
applications for insurance. promissory
notes, attached 10 premiums or not, and
all notices from local agents 10 policy
holders respecting renewals, canct Ia
tions, receipts or other kindred matter:
also, all signed notes, checks. drafts.
deeds, bonds, bills of lading, rccciptcd
bills, and signed receipts of all kinds
Insurance policies, Cancelled or incom-
plete; unreccipted bills. invoices and
monthly statements may all be sent at
third class rates of postage.
The former restrictions as 10 writing
in books have been removed. TO the cx-
tent of permitting simple manuscript
dedication, or form of presentation, TO be
written on the covers or blank pages.
Manuscript for publication, when nc
companied by proof sheets, may be sent
at third class rates; but. unless so ar-
companied, is chargeablc at letter rates.
Architectural and other drawings made
by hand, heretofore charged nj letter
rates, are now assigned 10 the fourth
class, and may be sent on payment of
postage at one cent per ounce, rs may
also original paintings H. oil or water
colors, etc. Chromos are rated as third
class matter unless mounted on cloth or
pasteboard, in which case they belong
TO the fourth class. Postage and revenue
stamps are now in the fourth class
Articles Of glass. formerly excluded
from the mails, may now be sent at fourth
class rates Zone cent per ounce), provided
they are secured so as to guard against
injury to other mail matter in case of
brcakage, 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 rev
enuc stamps, which were formerly
charged nj letter rates. are now placed
in the fourth class hy q 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 matter j. contained therein which
is subject 20 letter rates Of postage
All persons who desire 10 avail them
selves OF the concessions noted above
will understand that they involve certain
drawbacks. For example. with the
single exception Of the packages sealed
by internal revenue stamps. all mail
matter not sent at letter rates must bo
left open to inspection by the postofiicc
authorities. No articles. other than let
ters and postal cards. can be returned TO
the senders on request; nor forwarded
to other offices. unless again fully pre-
paid, in'casc.the persons addressed have
removed; nor can they be advertised
but. II 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 manner. MS letters.
being placed loose in canvas sacks and
not in locked pouches: and. Of course.
whenever IL Is necessary, on account Of
unusual accumulation Of mail matter or
for other reasons. to give preference in
dispatch, II is always accorded to letter
mail.