The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-02-19

form or nature liable to damage the
contents of the mail bag or harm the
person of any one engaged in the mail
service, and does not weigh more than
four pounds. The rate of postage on
matter of this class is one cent for
every ounce or fraction thereof The
distinction between matter of the
third and fourth class is sometimes
quite close. For instance; photographs
a:e third class and stereoscopic views
are fourth.
Two cents will carry letter of the
first class, no matter what is the weight,
the balance to be collected on delivery
All other matter must be fully prepaid.
Matter Of the second, third and fourth
classes, however, once paid can be
forwarded, but postage must be rated
upon it for the full amount each time
it is forwarded and collected at its
destination.
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Many postmasters are as needless of
the rules and regulations as the gen.
eral public, and this necessarily i'm
poses much work on others. Every
postmaster is required to hold up ali
short paid matter arriving at his Office,
to collect in money and afix it in
postage due stamps to the matter. The
ordinary postage stamp is not receiv-
able for such dues. If it was the de-
partment would have no way of ascer-
tanning how much was collected each
year in this manner, nor what post
master neglected his duty in this par
ticular. When postmaster ignor-
antly allows letter to be forwarded
in the mails without any postage what
ever, double rates must be charged the
addresse. The postage on letters to
most roreign countries is five cents per
half ounce. Matter of the first class
can be mailed on the postal cars, that
of the second, third and fourth class
should be NAILED at the office. Letters
addressed to fictitious persons or to
initials are unbelievable.
The postmaster is truly the servant
of the public, and he must do his
whole duty in order to please the pub
lie. He has another exacting master
at Washington and to serve them both
and be known as courteous, obliging
and clever, as we'll as careful, accurate
and intelligent calls for all his ability.
No man is held to so strict, so exact
ing an account. If one letter out of
the thousands he handles is missent,
he is sure 10 hear of it. In making
the mail for the various cities and
States he must tie up with each pack
age slip with his name and the date
on it. If the postal clerk who opens
that package discovers an error he
notes it on the slip and sends it to the
superintendent OF that division. Not
only that but he is held accountable
by the general public for ''letters that
ought to have come"
The Louisiana Lottery which had
grown to its gigantic proportions by
the use of the mails, has been COM
pletely destroyed by an act of the last
Congress. A person who sends for a
lottery ticket now by mail lays himself
liable to fine of five hundred dollars.
Whenever a counterfeit bill is pre-
sented to postmaster, either to
change or for stamps, he is instructed
to write the word sscounterfeit" plainly
across its face before returning it. He
must do this as an officer of the gov
eminent even if he gets whipped for it
the next minute.
| THE HENDERSON POSTOFF1CE.
By reference to the books l find the
business of this office 10 be about 50
per cent. more than it was 4 years ago.
and increasing daily. About Sax
worth OF stamps are sold annually.
The boxes rent for more than $500.
Every cent that is collected for the
boxes must be turned over to the de-
partment. An inspector turns up now
and then and counts the stamps on
hand and the rented boxes. If the
postmaster has the money in his safe
to show for every missing stamp and
every box, he is all right, if not he is a
defaulter. The money order business
Of this Office is over $40, 700 a year,
and the postmaster has deposited by
registered letter $4,000 during the
past year, so far, without the loss OF
one cent. During the incumbency OF
the present postmaster for the past I 2
months he has signed his name Off
cially nearly ten thousand times, in
curing responsibility each time. A
/ postal telegraph service and postal saw
ings bank will come in the near future
The present efficient Postmaster Gen
eral urges both upon the attention o.
Congress, and shows the practicability
and feasibility of adding both Of these
conveniences to the postoffices through
out the country. Free delivery at ev
cry Presidential Office will come
eventually.
i HUMAN NATURE.
! The post Office is fine place te
study human nature. The rich anc
poor, the strong and weak, the cage
and slow, the nervous and fussy, thu
quiet and patient, the hopeful and de
spondent pass in and out every day il
the year, still hoping without ever get
ting the long looked for message. B.
long familiarity in handling the letter:
OF those he knows and knowledge o
the writers and recipients, the post
master can almost tell the character o
Ia letter from its envelope and TIL
handwriting, even when the parties ar
unknown to him. The ordinary bust
ness letter, the friendly letter, the let
ter from mother, and the love letter al
bear their distinct characteristics, Will
. the business envelope with scarcely an.