Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-24


We have for years warred upon that ab-
furd regulation Of the Post.Ohlco Department
which, under pretcnce oi iorbIdding 10
be sent through the mails letters not adj
dressed TO any known post-ollice, causes
letters % be sent 10 the dead-lcttcr office at
Washington which are addressed to alias
names Of the post-oAices FOR which they are
intended, and which alias names are really
better known than the names given TO the
poSt-oflces In question by the Postmaster
General. This preposierous regulation is
Kept In force by the same official who
occasionally sets a score OF his sub
ordinates 10 work 20 decipher addresses
which are tllegibiy written, and names which
are so badly spelled that they cannot be made
out except 10y experts. For example, letter
addressed "Ferginuy blackson" would be
forwarded 10 blackstone II 1t required a
dozen officials TO read 1t Alright. II would be
sent thIther 10 ascertain whether or not the
addressee resided there, but II II was plainly
addressed TO BhcksSnd- Whites, the we'll
known former name OF Blackstone, it would
be iOrwsrdedto the dead.letter office, Blacks
and Whites mol being the name ,the Assist
ant Postmaster General being judge Of any
known post-oflice IN Virginia. But the fact
Is that whatever the Washington authorities
may say BlacSs.and- W hites IL one name Of
tho post.o Office known 10 postmasters only as
Blackstone A postal regulation cannot de-
stroy iact--no more than CANUTE could keep
back toe waters OF the sea by commanding
them to'renaiu rs they were.
We are glad 20 see that the Washington
Post has taken up this subject. IN It's issue
OF Monday Il makes GOOD points In an edi-
tOrial. aud publishes also communication
Whieh contains the following:
"on the 9Th day OF this month letter
passed through my hands addressed 10 \
person a Robbery, Ia, and was returned
from the Washington post-otlice. endorsed
with the office stamp. NO such office ln
s,sis nanIes,' whereupon immediately con-
suited postal guide, aud found that The
plsce was spelled ROXbury.
Within the lass three weeks three letters
have pNScd through my hands which have
been returned with the same endorsement,
one Of which was addressed TO Irwin Sta
ton, ffaaklin county, Pa. one to Hess
Road, Niagara county, n. Y, the other 10
Gibson STATION, Steuben county, Y. The
three Offices last named seem TO De recOg-
plztd by and pass current With the citizens
al those places, because tue addresses were
given " by correspondents there. Notwith-
standing al that the letters were returned
endorsed: No such Office In State named
Consulting the guide we find Irwin, Frank.
lin county, Pa. less Road station, Niagara
county, N. VI Gibson, Steaben couaiy,
n. Y.
Now this strikes me as drawing Il very
fine, and upon The whole as very bad prac-
tiee, which win lead 10 much embarrassment
on the part o. the sender aud carrier. saving
ncihing Of The ioss that IL liable u accrue TO
the persons addressed. is Il the purpose Of
Tie department 10 remind The public that
they must study toe spelling book or consult
The postal gvidef certainly Il cannot be toe
purpose al the department 10 facilitate bust.
bess. II 50, why was net the letter ad-
Dressed 10 Robbery, Pa, forwarded
TO Roxbuy, Par II this system Is
CARVED out every letter addressed
10 New fokk City, n. y. should BE- returned
70 writer or scot TO dead-lestsr 0fhce. because
fhers is no si,eh ollee In State named. upen
ibs aafne priDcipie, letter addressed 10 Ga.
cinnstil NO tsl. o, would not be forward.
ed. Hhyf Becsese snere Is no sueh ofiioa
IN Stale named. ARsiB. II q letter addressed