Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-07-23

Notifications in Rates Of Postage, and
Classification of Natter.
New York Times.

Classification of Matter.
New York Times.
By the provisions of recent acts of
congress, as construed by the post office
departm various i'm portant modifi-
cations 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 as they are at pres
ent but imperfectly understood, the
subjoined detailed information upon
| the subject has been obtained through
inquiry at the post Office. 1t may be
relied upon 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
been the same as on letters, viz, 8 cents
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 charge
able with postage at the rate Of l cent.
| for each two ounces when sent in en-
oCdlCu llNClOpCo VI W16PDC1O. 4AC GA
ceptiOns are: If such articles contain
writing in the nature of personal cor
respondence, or are In themselves the
representatives of monetary value.
In these cases they become frst-class
mail matter, and as such as are charge
able with letter rates of postage, Ac-
cOrding to the latest ruling Of the de-
partm ent (which reverse d number of
those recently made under the same
law, the specific examples of the ex-
ceptions to third class matter are: In
surauce policies signed and in force,
daily insurance reports, insurance
transfers, notices Of premiums due, as
signments, transfers, applications for
insurance, promissory notes, attached
to premiums or not, and all notices
from local agents to policy holders re-
specting renewals, cancellations, re-
ce;pts, or other kindred matter; also, all
signed notes, checks, drafts, deeds,
bonds, bills oflading. receipted bills, and
signed receipts of all kinds. Insurance
policies, Cancelled or incomplete; unre-
ceipted bills, invoices and monthly state
ments 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 simple manuscript
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 as thlrd-class rates; but unless so
accompanied, is chargeable at letter
rates. Architectural and other draw
ings made by hand, heretofore charged
at letter rates, are now assigned to the
fourth class, and may be sent on pay
ment of postage al l 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, 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 mails, may now be sent at fourth
class rates Il cent per ounce), provided
they are secured SO as to guard against
injury to other mail matter in case of
breakage, and are boxed in accordance
with certain instructions contained in
the United Suites 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 a decision of the
department, which states that they
evil regard the stamp placed over the
cover or opening of such package as evil
dence that no matter is contained
therein which is subject to letter rates
of postage."
All persons who desire 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 post Office
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 I'M
called 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 as
letters, being placed loose in canvass
sacks and not in locked pouches; and,
of course, whenever it is necessary, on
account of unusual accumulation of
mail matter or for other reasons, to
give preference in dispatch, it is always
accorded to letter mail.
AN interesting decision as to the va
lidity Of the marriages that used to pre-
vail among slaves has just been decided
by. an Augusta court. Mary Thomas
had been appointed administrator of
the estate of the late Mike Thomas and