Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1879-07-19
Reduction Of Pos tnre.

A MATTER OF IMPORTANCE TO BUSINESS MEN.
Bus mess men may effect q considerable
saving in their postage bills, by taking adj
vantage of O new regulation of the depart
lnent, which has just been brought to the at
tention of postmasters by the new postal
regulations. A number of articles that have
hitherto paid higher rate may now be sent
at the rate of one cent for each two ounces,
provided no package exceed four pounds in
weight. These articles are thus described in
the official regulations
l. The signature of the sender or the desig
nation Of his name, of his profession, of his
the despatch. 9. A dedication or mark of
respect offered by the sender. 8. The figures
or signs merely intended to mark the passa &c
of q text, in order to call attention to them
a. The prices added upon tho quotations OF
prices current Of exchange or markets, or in
a book. 5. All printed commercial papers
filled out in writing, such as papers of legal
procedure, deeds of all kinds, way bills, or
bills Of lading, invoices, and the various doc
uments of insurance, circulars, handbills etc.
g. Instructions or requests to postmasters
to notify the sender in case of the non-delive-
ry Of other than frst-class matter, SO that he
may send postage for its return.
The fifth item is the most important, I'm
der it considerable saving will be effected
by insurance companies, who will hereafter
send their policies, daily reports, etc.,-matter
not in the nature Of personal correspondence
at the low rate.
The subject is further calculated by letter
from Postmaster General Key. He says that
the department follows as nearly as possible
in its domestic regulations, those adopted BY
the conventio n Of Paris for the Universal Pos.
tai Union. Mr.. Key further says:
"A printed promissory note or an insurance
policy filled out ready for signature, may be
mailed as third-class matter, but when they
have been finally executed or countersigned
by the signature of the person who finally ap-
proves them, so that they become the repre-
sentative Of III onetary value. they are sub
ject to letter rates of postage, as being in the
nature of purely personal correspondence
between the two parties interested. The same
rule will apply to printed commercial papers
such as drafts, checks, etc., and to deeds.
bonds, etc., whether drawn by public func-
tionrres or private parties. A partly printed
bill filled out in writing may be sent as third
class matter. but when received can only be
admitted to the mails at letter rates Of pos
tage. The written matter, under the head
remarks, upon the various documents Of in
surance companies, must be confined strictly
to the subject matter of the document"
First-class matter upon which one full rate
OF postage has been prepaid and all other
fully prepaid matter may be forwarded
from one post Office to another at the request
of the party addressed; but matter Of the
second, third and fourth classes can only be
returned to the sender when the postmaster
at the post Office of its destination is furnish
cd with return postage. A request may be
written or printed upon such matter that the
postmaster will notify the sender of monde
livery and of the amount of postage which
must be forwarded to insure its return. A re-
quest to return such matter cannot be re-
gardcd.
Matter which is in writing, or other mat
ter containing a written inscription in the
nature of a personal correspondence, and mat /.
ter which is sealed against inspection, are
alone, by their nature and the intent of the
law, frst-class matter.
Postmasters should consider the presump-
ton to be in favor of the admission of all I'M
sealed printed matter subjected to inspec-
ton at third-class rates, and should not rate
it up on account of written inscriptions there
on unless the inscription is clearly in the ma
ture of personal correspondence.