National Republican., 1883-08-08
A QUESTION OF KEYS.
Explains why Deposits Arc Required
FOR All Keys 10 POstoiiioo Boxes.

The First Assistant Postmaster General
Explains why Deposits Arc Required
FOR All Keys 10 POstoiieo Boxes.
The following letter, which is self cxplana-
tory, was made public at the Postoiico de-
partment yesterday:
WAsuGNGroN, d. C., Aug. 7.--Sir; Your
letter Of the 10Th ultimo addressed TO the
postmaster general, inclosing u oommunica-
tion signed by yourself and thirty-siX other
citizcns of Saratoga Springs, N. Y, protesting
AGAINST the enforcement of circular No. l222
which requires q deposit Of fifty cents 20 be-
made by box renters for each key to lock
boxes rented by them, has been received.
The protest consists mainly OF nn open let
ter addressed by you to the postmaster ut
Saratoga Springs and published in full in one
of the local newspapers at that place.
You assert therein that the deposit contem-
plated by the circular is an arbitrary and
forced loan eXacted without authority of law
or regulation. aud held and used by the de-
partmont without accounting therefor; and
you opine that the deposits made in accord
anco with tho requirements Of the circular
will ultimately demoralize into u vast corrup-
ton fund.
1t is to be regretted that the fourth para
graph of the Objectionable circular should
have escaped your observation. The para
graph states: "Thc amount collected for keys
must appear US an item in the quarter
yearly box account and included in article two
of the account current as box rent" The
effect of such instructions is to place such
deposits among the other revenues of the
postal service under the control of response
BILE department of the executive branch OF
tho government.
The department has from time to time
been the recipient OF numerous complaints
on the part of box renters that ut the time
of renting their boxes they had made deposits
with the postmaster for keys to such boxes.
During tho timc they held their boxes a
change of postmasters occurred, and when
upon their discontinuanco of the use of the
boxes they presented the keys thereto for
redemption they were met with the state
nlent of the postmaster that his predecessor,
to whom such deposits were provided, had
deceased or gone out of Office without report
ing tho collection Of the key deposits or
making provision for the redemption of the
keys and that in consequence of such dere-
LECTION on the part of the former postmaster
the present postmaster was not in possession
of any funds whorewith to redeem such
keys.
1t was to correct such evil and to secure
holders from loss occurring from the misap-
plication OF the funds by postmasters, and
also to insure the proper return of the keys,
that the department deemed it necessary TO
issue the instructions contained in circular
No. 1929.
Under the provisions of this circular, post
masters at all offices not located in govern
mcnt buildings are required to collect de-
posit of fifty cents for each key to a lock box
or drawer issued by them to box renters, CIV
ing receipt therefor, and accounting to the
department for all moneys so collected and
whenever Il box renter surrenders the key, or
keys to his box, the postmaster is required to
take mp the receipt given by himself or by
any of his predecessors under the require
ments of said circular, and redeem the keys
specified in the receipt. The transaction is
made matter of record the key deposit
fund is held in the official custody of the de-
partment; and the depostOr is assured, be-
yOnd a doubt, of the prompt return of his
deposit whenever he may elect to surrender
his key-a state of affairs which could not
and did not attain unded the former system
of allowing the fund to remain in the hands
of postmaster or other person, without OF
fetal accountability therefore.
The safety of the mail deposited in lock
box demands that the department shall abso-
lutely control the supply of keys to such
boxes, and private individuals are therefore
prohibited from manufacturing keys to lock
boxes for themselves. To permit box
renter to supply himself with such keys as
his fancy or the needs of his family or firm
might dictate, from sources over which the
department has no control, would be to leave
,unguarded way by which loss might occur
to the holders of rented boxes, and discredii
would fall upon the postal service.
Under section 1852, Revised Statutes, all
lock boxes or drawers erected in postofiict
by box holders become thereby the property
of the United States, subject to the direction
and control of the Postalice department SC
long as such boxes remain in the Office where
they were erected. The idea that the de-
partmcnt has no control over boxes erected
by the postmaster or others in postoiiice i:
contrary to the spirit and intent of the law,
and cannot be entertained.
The requirements of circular No. 1922 apply
to all postoilices not located in government
buildings. At postoiiices located in govern
ment buildings, the Treasury department
having by law the control over such build
ings, together with the outfit of postoffic,
boxes used therein, exacts from box renters 6
deposit the same as is required by circula
No. 1929.
A uniformity is thus attained in require
ment called for by the demands of safety an'
the conservation of the best interests of th'
general public and the postal service. Yer.
respectfully, FRANK HATToS,
First Assistant Postmaster General.
| Mr. I u RUTIER SaratOua SDrinps, N. Y.