The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-12-22
M AlLlNG PRESENTS
UNCLE SAM ISSUES USEFUL IN
FORMATION.
By Observing Few Simple Rules
Persons May Save Themselves and
Postofice Clerks Trouble.

Postoffice Clerks Trouble.
Just now with Christmas less
than two weeks off, Kriss Kringle's
busy season is coming at a rapid
rate. Not only have the retail shops
everywhere made their preparations
already for the yuletide by display
ing their most tempting and attrac-
tive wares, but there are many other
signs showing the season Of good
cheer to be near at hand. The head
of the house hurries to workshop,
mill and Office loaded with the sea-
sons offering for friends far and
near, and takes his place in the long
line before the stamp windows at
the many postoffices awaiting his
turn to weigh his gifts and place
them in Uncle Sans safe keeping
for delivery.
And it is just here that Uncle
Sam-always kind and generous 10
his 9O,OOO,OO0 people-comes for
ward with some timely Christmas
suggestions and tells all Of his
friends, big and little, how to enjoy
to the fullest the holiday time. These
suggestions are in the form Of in
formation for Christmas shoppers
who send their gifts through the
mails from one part of this big
country to the other, and by the due
observance of these simple rules,
persons may save both themselves
and the tired-worn-out clerks at the
postoffice much needless worry and
trouble.
Uncle Sans first chapter In the
little primer that he has Just is
sued, tells the people first t. pro-
vide themselves with a generous sup
ply of good, stout cord, plenty of
strong wrapping paper, and, If nec-
essary, to prevent damage, some
light pasteboard gboxes, after all the
gifts that are to be sent out through
the mails have been bought. Then
after the bundles are wrapped and
tied and duly marked, provide your
self with a set of library scales that
will cost not more than half dol
lar.
Now your presnets will be divided,
according to Uncle Sans methods of
doing business-and he does con-
siderable amount of 1t at times
into two classes, either third" or
forth" and, perhaps, most Of them
will fall into the last named classi-
fication, though books, it must be
remembered, comes in the third
class. Provide yourself with plenty
of stamps and do not forget to Sc
cure a generous supplay Of the one
cent kind for the odd cents that VIII
be needed to send your gifts out
Take your packages and weigh
them carefully on the scales you
have previously bought, or perhaps
borrowed from a neighbor, and re-
member that these are the require
ments: One cent for each ounce
or part of an ounce, except seeds,
bulbs, roots and plants, which cost
only half as much, and which will
go to all parts of the United States
for one cent each two ounces. See
that no packages weigh more than
four pounds as that Is the limit,
and those in exces of that weight
will be rejected.
Should you wish to present you"
friends with books, these will come
under the third class, and the re-
quirements will be one cent for every
two ounces-or just half that of
the ordinary Christmas gift.
The next chapter in the primer
tells Uncle Sans people what to
place on the wrapper, envelope tag
or label in order to insure speedy
transportation and delivery. In ad-
dition to the name and address Of
the addressee, there may be writ
ten or printed the name, occupation
and residence of the sender, preceded
by the word "from," but nothing
else that would SAVIOR Of a personal
correspondence.
There is no objection to placing
cards inside the boxes or packages
bearing such words as with love,
merry Christmas" happy New
Year." or some similar greeting suit
able to the occasion. but there must
be absolutely nothing more. Any
addition to this is a violation Of the
! postal regulations. and subjects the
sender to a fine Of $1,000 or to I'm
| prisonment for long period in one
of the Government penitentiaries.
1--WE frequently find" said one Of
Uncle Sans posto;f ;ffice officials to-
day, that many women and children
and sometimes men also-ytolate
the lawts in sending letters-whick
are first class matter in packages
under fourth class, or lower rates.
OF course, there are many cases of
this character that we do not pros
ecute, because, upon investigation, 1t
Is found that the violations have not
been wilfully committed, but are
the result of ignorance. No writing