The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1882-02-17
Astoria Mail Service.

cssarily peculiar one. The bulk of
the Eastern and California mali COM
| ing by steamer makes the connection
of those vessels of great importancs to
speedy transmission, while that pcr-
ton of the mail TINT coynes overland
is 80 often delayed by Cruises that can
not be foreseen or avoided that no
calculation can be made rs to tbs time
OF its arrival. More especially is this
tho case in the winter months, when
| the long stage ronte between Redding
and Roseburg takes e,ghty-six hoars
to traverse. So It is 10 the ocean
steamers that We must look Tor tho
greater part of the large and rapidly
increasing amount of mail that comes
here. When, as in the arrival of the
Columbia last Wednesday, and going
ing out of the State of California yes
terday morning, the up steamer gets
in some considerable time before the
down steamer goes out, it is satisfac-
tory; giving every one a chance to
get letters and answer them by the
outgoing mail; but as sometimes una
voidably happens, the boats cross at
Astoria; one going up, and the other
down, or the outgoing boat starts to
sea before the incoming boat arrives.
it is then the reverse of pleasant.
There has always been one serious
difficulty in this matter Of sending off
letters not knowing when the steamer
would leave for San Francisco. The
only thing certain about it is its uncer-
tainty; no one seems to know, though,
OF late the leaving the next morning
after arriving from Portland has been
regular enough to Justify the belief
that that will hs. the normal rule.
Then the distance from the post-otiice
to the o. r. & N. Cos dock-exactly
half a mile renders it impossible. to
make close connection, for the mail
bags must be on board whenever the
steamer is ready to start. We may
mention in connection with This that
Postmaster Chance has shown u most
accommodating spirit in regard TO get
ting mail. matter off on the boat, and
deserves credit for his efforts in thi.
matter, and, realizing how short and
formal iii compliance with the rigid
requirements of the Law a public
functionary can be if he wants to, the
fact that he is SO mindful of public
convenience is pleasure to note.
1t is now proposed by the postal
authorities at Washington to take
more cognizance of our requirements
than heretofore, and recognizing the
necessity for mail messenger service,
they have sent the following notice:
"Sealed proposals for carrying the
United States mails between the post
Office at Astoria, Oregon, and steam
boat landing. each way, as often as
required, will be received by the Post
master until February 90, 1882, at
I'm.
This service will not be ls. for a
stated period, and no contract is re-
quired to be executed; but persons
bidding must be honest and capable.
not less than sixteen years old, and
the accepted bidder will be expected
to serve at the compensation proposed
until otherwise ordered by the Post
master General; he Will also, be- re-
Guired to take the oath prescribed by
law.
Proposals must be made at a Dor
annum rate for all service required,
and persons wishing to bid should in
form themselves of the amount and
character of the service, and the ac-
cepted bidder under this advertise
ment will be required to perform,
without additional compensation, any
and all new service that may hereafter
become necessary.
In making proposals biddar- will
use the following form;
II propose to carry the mails of the
United States between the Po,toffice
at Astoria, Oregon, and steamboat
landing as often as required, each
way, for the sum of 8 per an
mum, binding myself TO faithful per-
formance Of the service, aud promising
to give thirty days notice in case I
should wish to relinquish the service. :"
(Signed --
| No more can be allowed than fair
and reasonable compensation for the
service, to be determined by the do
partment. Postmasters and assistants
cannot draw pay for such service.
r. A. ELMER,
Sec. Asst. Postmaster General.
We are glad that something of the
kind is to be done. IT'S necessity.