Year: 1867

Important Changes by the Post Office


Department..


The Post Office Department will soon make
changes IN the system by which letters are now
registered and forwarded in the mails, so as to
PROVIDE 1or more certain conveyance OF these
letters, and more strict accounta bilty OF post
masters, clerks, ETC., to the department for the
packages going through their hands. Though
the adoption of the money-order system has
afforded great and needed accommodation to
the public, by making safe the transmission of
money In small sums to all important places IN
the country, the number of registered letters
forwarded is scarcely diminished, and neces-
sity Tor an Improvement OF the system becomes
more urgent with the increase OF postal busi-
ness.


Letters containing important information,
which letters it is desirable should Oe registered
for reasons other than that they should be de-
liVered without tail enclosures OF original docu-
ments, law papers, etc.; bank checks for larger
amounts than 1t is allowable to send in money
orders; and Government bonds and securities
OF various classes, having value in the hands
of the holders, which properly ought to be
sent by express companies, that may be held
responsible for losses are constantly com
mitted to the mails, Notwithstanding the
known impertection of the present registry
system.


The new regulations soon to be issued to post
masters contain the following provisions OF in
terest to the public. Registered letters are not
to be sent IN the mails among other matter as
now, but will be inclosed in large envelopes
with which every postmaster will be provided
the envelopes to be of stout paper, and each to
constitute of itself sort of pouch. Registered
letters being placed in them are delivered to
the mail agents, railway post office clerks or
other persons employed by the Department, who
will, in each case, give a receipt Tor the pack.
age taken, in a book the postmaster is to keen
for the purpose. Then the agent or clerk will
deliver the package at the post Office to which
it Is directed, or, If that is off his route to
another agent who will convey it onward. in.
varably taking receipt for it-so that every
man who receives package gives his signature
for ii, and he is held directly responsible for
its safety until 1t has passed out of his hands-a
fact which will appear by the signature he
takes. At tine Office of delivery this rule an
plies as fully as to that of mailing, or in the
case of agents on the way-the signature of the
receiver of the letter completes the chain OF
evidence which must always accompany The
transmission. 1t will be very EASY to detect
delinquents. All packages are slammed and
numbered. and the receipts have corresponding
marks. The signature of the last man who had
any particular letter must render the dntv Of
Investigation light and unfaiIlng; and the know
ledge on the part of every post office man that
he has given this check upon himself will cause
the new system to operate, if not with absolute
cel tainty, at least with precision which will
b the nearest approach TO IT,


OF course the public, as well as postmasters
will understand that the new regulations are
not to be IN force for a month or two TO come
probably-the earliest time at which an the
blank forms required, and the envelopes. can he
prepared.-N. Y. Eoentng Post.