Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-08-07
POSTAL REGULATIONS.

som Of the Fh1"O~S R~c~"fly Introduced
In the Postal SerOtce.
The new volume of postal laws and regu-
atoms, prepare ed by A. q. Bissell, law clerk
IF the department., and T. B. Kisb, of the
postmaster generals Office, has been COM
pleted. Postal officials say that the issuing
IF this volume marks the beginning of new
IRA in the history of the department.; for the
changes which it officially promulgates are
in man, eepects radical, both in depart
mental policy and the details of the service
This is especially true of the register and
lead letter systems, the classification of do
mestic mail matter, and the regulations re-
pecting the delivery and dispatch of mails.
Into this latter branch some of the best fea-
,ures of the English service have been intro
duced. The railway-mail service. under the.
admirable administration of Mr.. Vail and his
equally capable successor, Supt. Thompson.
, has been reorganized, and its regulations for
the first time incorporated into the body of
the postal laws.
The new regulations for the entry of Sec
Ond class mail matter are likely to become
# universal application. Although such
entry is optional with publishers, postmast-
ers are reporting to the department that
there seems to be Sentiment of approval
among publishers of this new feature. The
postmaster at st. Louis has reported that
every publication mailed at his Office has en-
tered; while at New York over 300 have al
ready do so, including many of the best N
the city. This is the principle which en-
countered much opposition in Congress last
winter, but one which the department has
been seeking to adopt, in one form or an.
other. since the passage of the act of July
IL, 1876, relating t. advertising sheets. 1,
Is believed that this, and the new plan 70,
the collection of efficient postage by the use
| of the postage-due stamps, will result in 9
| considerable saving OF revenue to the de
partment.
The policy of the department respecting
the classification of mail matter has change
| in almost every essential particular. Here
tOfOre the restrictions thrown around The
various classes were numerous, and the de
| partment was at constant war with the pub
| lie respe ting what they regarded as a very
| llliberal treatment. The line at first class
| matter has now been drawn at which it j.
/ commended is in consonance with the best in
| t rests of the service, to-wit: personal COR.
respOndence and matter closed against in
spectiOn. Many articles which under tht
old law were rated with letter-postage be
long now to the fourth class, and are subjec
to postage charge of one cent per ounce.
Another important change is made respect
| ing the forwarding of matter from one post
| Office to another, on request. Heretofore j,
| could only be done in case Of frst-class
matter; now second, third, and fourth class
If fully prepaid, may be forwardt d-the OBJ
ject of the department being to d. liver.
Many important changes have t. ken place
| in the internal administration of the depart
ment. which are very Huch for the better.
Messrs. Bissell and Klrby, the c. mp,lers OF
| this work, have called to their ass istauce, il
the preparation of these regulations, many
Of the best officers in the service, both
Washington and at the leading Offices
throughout the country. and the public hav.
also been widely consulted.
The work, which is reg rded as a very
superior one, will supply want long felt.