The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-17
THE SPECIAL DELIVERY.
THEPOsTMASTER GENERAL PRE-.
PARINH TO PUT THE
system In General Operation October
Ist-Rules for the Government
of POstmasters.


izing the extension OF the SPECIAL de.
livery system to all postoffices and to all
msilable mater. The circular pro-
vides that every post ,flice in the
United States aud Territories, aud the
District OF Columbia, now established
and which shall be established while
the foregoing act remains, is hereby
designated as a special delivery office.
These regulations take effect October,
1886, after which date every post
master will be held responsible for
the immediate delivery of every ar
ticle OF mailsble matter which may be
received addressed to his office
properly stamped with a special de-
livery stamp. Such immediate de-
livery must be made when the article
is directed 10 an address residing or
having place OF business within one
mile OF the postofiice. The obligation
to 3D. deliver does not extend to an
address beyond that distance, but the
postmaster will be at liberty to make
such delivery beyond such limits and
To receive the compensation therefor,
AZ In any other case. II is commended,
as A proper and considerable thing to
be done, in accommodation oil the
sender whenever IL is reasonably con-
venient. The hours within when
immediate delivery shall be made
shall be at least from z o'clock am. to
g O'Clock D m, and further, until the
arrival Of the asst train, provided that
such arrival shall not be later than 8
O'Clock pm. Postmasters are not re.
ouired to make deliv sry Of special de-
livery on Sunday, but will be at liber-
ty, however, TO deliver special deliv'
cry letters and parcels arriving on Sum
day. Such immediate delivery may,
at third and fourth class offices, be
made by the postmaster himself, by
any assistant or clerk, or by any other
competent person he may employ as
messenger. The service contemplated
by the law requires that all special de-
livery matter shall reach the address
withIthe greatest possible expedition
after il arrives at the postoflice. Post
masters should, therefore, open all
mails at once on their arrival and i'm
mediately separate the matter bearing
special delivery stamps, and stamp or
write on the envelope or wrapper the
name Of the office and the date and
hour when the matter arrives Next,
the matter must be numbered, after
which II must be- delivered without loss
OF time. For every special deliv-
cry article delivered the postmaster
must take q receipt. After special
delivery article has been taken out for
delivery and has bean returned, with
the Information that the person adj
dre-s has removed to the delivery
OF another office, and the article is
then forwarded it is not TO be regarded
as entitled to spscial delivery the
same az ordinary metler whom bearing
a special delivery stamp in addition
to the full postage and delivery fee re-
quired by law and the regulations.
No effort win be spared by postmas'
ters or any other postal authorities TO
expedite the mailing OF matter bearing
special delivery stamps. The words
"sscures immediate delivery at special
delivery office" will, however, be
changed TO read Secures immediate
delivery at any postoflice" on the
special delivery stamp now in general
use. The use of the stamps with the
former words will be continued until
the present supply is exhausted.
Suitable supplies Of the special deliv-
cry stamps will be sent to any post
Office in the country which
may make requisition for them,
and are to be sold by post
masters in any required amount and
to any person who may apply for
them, but they can be used only for
the purpose OF securing the immedi-
ate delivery OF matter, Under no
circumstances are they TO be used in
the payment OF hostages OF any de-
scription or Of the registry fee, nor are
any other stamps to be employed to
secure special delivery except the
special delivery stamp. The special
delivery stamp must be in addition
to the lawful postage, aud any article
OF first class matter not prepaid with
at least one full rate of postage, aud
any parcel Of any other class Of mat
ter on which lpostage has not been
fully prepaid, in accordance with the
law and regulations, must be treated
as held for postage, even though bear
ing a special delivery stamp, Post
masters at fourth class offices are not In
any case entitled to commissions on the
special delivery stamps on letters auG
parcels mailed by them. No failure in
any instance where delivery is posi-
BILE can be considered excusaole
Every complaint OF q failure in such {
delivery will be promptly investigated
and the responsibility Fixed, will
proper constq uences. No office, how
ever small, is EXEMPT from this obliga
ton, and the system aud duties unde
it ave 30 simple that no excuse can b,
accepted for any failure to meet tn,
obligation. should there be as many
special delivery stamps sold as one
fifteenth the number OF ordinary
stamps and larger sales may be fairly
expscted-the gross allowance on thiI
account will equal the total compens 81
ton now paid TO all fourth class pr vt
masters together. Their interest," coin
cides with duty.
The following special instruction
are given to postmesters at free deliv
cry offices; All poDtofiices VIII CHI oil
the LIST OF October, 1885, may be ire
delivery offices, are hereby exceptet
from the operations OF the ABOVE order
30 far as the same prescribe, the meth
ODDS Of immediate delivery, and at Al
such free delivery offices the speciG
delivery System will be Ietaine
throughout, aud the employment Of
regular force OF messengers as at PREF
ent, and postmasters at such Office
will continue to be governed by tn
regulations in the circulas Of Augu'
IL, 1885, published in the Post,
Guide for Jaouary, 1885, and by tn
instructions issued in pursuance Their
of, except as the same are herein moe
lied. PostmSsteTs are not required /
make delivery Of special delivery ma
ter on Sunday, but will be at hbert
however, to deliver special deliver
letters and pare lis arriving on Sunda,
The law provides that the Poe
master General "may contract Il
the immediate delivery Of 6
article from any postofiice ut nv
price less than eight cents per pie'
when be shall deem II expedien
PcstmRsters at free delivery ofiic,
will, therefore, forward any propcI
.4tous tram rnr Morn Hona Or nthar rem