The herald., 1894-07-09
A MODERN STAMP ACT,
An Open Letter to President CleveIar
and Other Oficers

An Open Letter to President Cleveland
and Other OHicers.
Mr.. Thomas Elliott of this city has
written tie following open letter to
"Grover Cleveland and all whom it may
concern:''
Whereas, I. citizen of the United
States, claim my right to petition, hav-
ing enjoyed the privileges OF established
government postal laws, have there
under entered upon certain contracts OF
postal service offered by the government
Of the United States, and accepted by
me, do herein respectfully request your
hearing upon this complaint and pro-
test.
First-I have from time to time pur-
chased and paid for as party OF the Sec
ond part to valid contract with the
United States government as party of
the first part. certain pieces OF paper
stamped and owned exclusively by the
party of the first part, known rs postage
stamps. My part of the contract, pay
ing therefore, ETC., have honestly COM
piled with and received the stamps in
hand.
Secopd-The stamps 80 sold to and
purchased by me, party of the second
part, were q pledge, or an"rantee, on the
cepted and received by me upon the
payment and acceptance of ce tain sums
of money, that all mail matter bearing
such stamps and pledges shall be con-
veyed without unreasonable delay to the
places or destinations marked or des;g-
mated on the packages or letters bearing
such United States government stamps,
and | herein declare that the govern
ment of the United States, as party of
the first part, has violated it's pledges
for service to me that it has received
money to perform, for the space or period
of come eight days. more or less.
Third-I affirm that this contract the
government is bound to respect exclu-
Bive OF all other contracts in the premises,
herein protest that l was in purchas.
ing eaid stamps in no way party to any
other sub-contracts, neither as to man
ner, ttyle or quality OF service in trans
portstion, and herein protest that the
government OF the United States is vio-
lating solemn pledge in permitting
sub contracts, as to style. manner or
quality OF transportation, to interfere
with the stamped mail matter in reach
ing its destinations.
That whereas it transpires that GER
tain sub-contractors are not in harmony
with their associates or subordinates
does not figure as between the United
States government and myself, and |
protest against the United States troops
being employed to enforce eub-contracts
between sub-contractors and their asso-
ciates, said army being for government
purposes of enforcing laws relative to
government service, and l protest that
the government should make no further
delay in keeping its contracts under
the postal stamp act laws. l pro-
test that the government guarantees
protection to laborers, whether en-
ployed or unemployed; that such labor
ers are part OF the government; that
the labor element has right to work or
not to work upon Pullman GERS. I pro-
test that the railroad companies have
constitutional right to say that they
will or will not use Pullman cars in
making up their trains. L protest that
the government has no right to coerce
either party, and no right to furnish
body guards in conducting private busi-
ness in times of peace, and compelling
me to assist in paying therefor.
do, however, affirm that the govern
ment is amply able to transport mails,
and is the only party i'll the premises
that ia pledged to service that must be
rendered; that ie, sub-contractors who
are given the contract to carry the mails
cannot for any reason or do not trans
port them from point to point, then the
government should declare all such con.
tracts Cancelled and proceed to keep its
first contract with purchasers of United
States government letter and other
i L..
only one it ia bound TO keep, having
been prepaid for such service. l have
the honor to be, very respectfully,
THONAS EIJIOTT