Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 July 1879 — NEW POSTAL REGULATIONS [ARTICLE]

NEW POSTAL REGULATIONS

Modifications in Rates of Postage and Classification of Matter. [From the New York Times ] By the provisions of recent acts of Congress, as construed by the Postoffice Department, various important modifications have been made in rates of postage and in the classification of mail matter. As the changes will largely affect the mercantile, insurance, and other interests, and as they are at present but imperfectly understood, the subjoined detailed information upon the subject has been obtained through inquiry at the Postoffice. It may be relied opon as being in accord with the latest official rulings and decisions of ■ the department, and as absolutely correct. The rate on commercial papers, insurance documents, papers in legal proceedings, etc., when partly in print and partly in writing, has heretofore been the same as on letters, viz.: 3 cents per half ounce. All such articles have now, with the exceptions mentioned, been assigned to the third class of mail matter, and as such are chargeable with postage at the rate of 1 cent for each two ounces when sent in unsealed envelopes or wrappers. The exceptions are: If such articles contain writing in the nature of personal correspondence, or are in themselves the representatives of a monetary value. In these cases they become first-class mail matter, and as such are chargeable with the letter rates of postage. According to the latest rulings of the department (which reverse a number of those recently made under the same law), the specific examples of the exceptions to thirdclass matter are: Insurance policies signed and in force, daily insurance reports, insurance transfers, notices of premiums due, assignments, transfers, appheations for insurance, promissory notes, attached to premiums or not, and all notices from local agents to policyholders respecting renewals, cancellations, receipts, or other kindred matter; also, all signed notes, checks, drafts, deeds, Bonds, bills of lading, receipted bills, and signed receipts of all kinds. Insurance policies, canceled or incomplete; unreceipted bills, ir voices, and monthly statements may all be sent at third-class rates of postage. The former restrictions as to writing in books have been removed, to the extent of permitting a simple manuser pt dedication, or form of presentation, to be written on the covers or blank pages. Manuscript for publication, when accompanied by proof-sheets, may be sent at third-class rates; but unless so accompanied, is chargeable at letter rates. Architectural and other drawings made by hand, heretofore charged at letter rates, are now assigned to the fourth class, and may be sent on payment of postage at 1 cent per ounce, as may also original paintings in oil or water colors, etc. Chromos #re rated as thirdclass matter unless mounted on cloth or pasteboard, in which case they belong to the fourth class. Postage and revenue stamps are now in the fourth class. Articles of glass, formerly excluded from the mails, may now be sent at fourth-class rates (1 cent per ounce), provided they are secured so as to guard against injury to other mail matter in caso of breakage, and are boxed in accordance with certain* instructions contained in the United States Postal Guide. Original packages of tobacco, and boxes of cigars, and other articles sealed by internal revenue stamps, which were formerly charged at letter rates, are now placed in the fourth class by a decision of the department, which states that they “will regard the stamp placed over the cover or opening of such packages as evidence that no matter is contained therein which is subject to letter rates of postage.” All persons who desired to avail themselves of the concessions noted above will understand that they involve certain drawbacks. For examble, with the single exception of the packages sealed by internal revenue stamps, all mail matter not sent at letter rates must be left open to inspection by the postoffice authorities. No articles, other than letters and postal cards, can be returned to the senders on request; nor forwarded to other offices, unless again fully prepaid, in case the persons addressed have removed; nor can they be advertised; but, if found undeliverable or uncalled for, they will be sent to the Dead-Letter Office. Mail matter of the third and fourth classes is not assorted and put up with, or in the same manner as letters being placed loose in canvas sacks and not in locked pouches; and, of course, whenever it is necessary, on account of unusual accumulation of mail matter or other reasons, to give preference in dispatch, it is always accorded to letter mail.