VOL. 47. The Huntingdon Journal. J. R. DURBORROW, Office ors the Corner of Fifth and Waehington etreete, Tun Ilusrixonos JOURNAL is published every Wednesday, by J. R. DURBORROW and J. A. Ns., under the firm name of J. R. DURBORROW at Co., at $2,00 per annum, us ADVANCE, or $2,50 irnot paid for in six months from date of subscription, and $3 if net paid within the year. No paper discontinued, unless at the option of the publishers, until all arrearages are paid. Regular monthly and yearly advertisements will 1 e inserted at the following rates: .8m 3mloml9mlly 400 1 I - 5 lg 0 0011 , 2 0 4 §7. 1 2 9 4 ( gr,7 1 7 0 66 10 0014 00,18 001% " 5100 5000 85 80 140020 00,44 001 1800.25 00130 00 , 1 col 26 OO 6000 80. 100 I Ins 6 250 2 " 40 0 3 " 60 0 4 " 80 0 6 " 950 Special notices will be inserted at TWELVE AND A HALT CENTS per line, and local and editorial no tices at FIFTEEN CENTS per line. All Resolutions of Associations, Communications of limited or individual interest, and notices of Mar riages and Deaths, exceeding five lines, will be charged TEN CENTS per line. Legal and other notices will be charged to the party having them inserted. Advertising Agents must find their commission outside of these figures. All advertising account. are due and collectable token tke advertisement is once inserted. JOB PRIN. MG of every kind, in Plain and Fancy Colors, done with neatness and dispatch.— liand-bills, Blanks, Cards, Pamphlets, Ac., of every variety and style, printed at the shortest notice, and every thing in the Printing line will be execu ted in the most artistic manner and at the lowest rates. F'rofessioiroi Cards. BF. GEHRETT, M. D., ECLEC • TIC PRYCICIAN AND SURGEON, hav ing returned from Clearfield county and perma nently located in Shirleysburg, offers his profes sional services to the people of that place and sur rounding country. apr.3-1872. DR. 11. W. BUCHANAN, DENTIST, No. 223 llili Street, 11.UNTINCIDON, PA. July 3,'72. TIM F. 0. ALLEMAN can be con sulted at Lis ottee, at all hours, Mapleton, Pa. [outrehG,72. CALDWELL, Attorney -at -Law, D•No. 111, 311 street. Office formerly occupied by Messrs. Woods & Williamson. [upl2,ll. DR. A. B. BRUMBAUGH, offers his professional services to the community. Oflee, No. 523 Washington street, one door east of the Catholic Parsonage. [jan.4,'7l. EJ. GREENE, Dentist. Office re . mored to Leistor's new building, Hillstreet Irr-ttingdon: [jan.4,ll CI L. ROBB, Dentist, office in S. T. ‘,..A • Betten's new building, Nu. 520, Hill St., Huntingdon, Pa. [ap12,71. IPlif GLAZIER, Notary Public, corner a j • of Washington and Smith streets. Hun tingdon, Pa. Cjan.l2'7l. HC. MADDEN, Attorney-at-Law • Office, No. —, Hill street, Huntingdon, Pa. [ap.19,'71. FRANKLIN SCHOCK. Attorney. V. • at-Lavr, lIIINTINGDON, PA. june26,'72-Gin, JSYLVANUS BLAIR, Attorney-at • Law, Huntingdon, Pa. Office, 1(111 street, hree doors west of Smith. [jan.47l. T R. PATTON, Druggist and Apath y • wary, opposite the Exchange Ilotel, llun ingilon, Pa. Prescriptions accurately compounded. Pure Liquors for . Medicinal purposes. [n0v.23,'70. T HALL MUSSER, Attorney-at-Law, to • No. 319 hill st., Huntingdon, Pa. Dan.4;7l. R. DURBORROW, Attorney-at r, • Law, Huntingdon, Pa., will practice in the several Courts of Huntingdon county. Particular attention given to the settlement of estates of dece dents. Office in ho JOURNAL Building. [feb.l,ll. W. MATTERN, Attorney-at-Law J • and General Claim Agent, Huntingdon, Pa., Soldiers' claims against the Government for back pay, bounty, widows' and invalid pensions attend ed to with great care and promptness. Office on Hill street. [jan.4,'7l. ALLEN LOVELL, Attorney-at ‘- • Law, Huntingdon Pa. Special attention given to Com.zertoNs of all kinds ; to the settle ment of Estates, /cc.; and all other Legal Business prosecuted with fidelity and dispatch. pir- Office in room lately occupied by It. Milton Speer, Esq. MILES ZENTMYER, Attorney-at- Law, Huntingdon, Pa., will attend promptly to all legal business. Office in Cunningham's new building. fjan.4,'7l: TO M. & M. S. LYTLE, Attorneys -A. • at-Law, Huntingdon, Pa., will attend to all kinds of legal business entrusted to their care. Office on the eolith side of Hill street, fourth door west of Smith. [jan.4,'7l. RA. ORBLSON, Attorney-at-Law, • 02lee, 321 Hill street, Huntingdon, Pa. Lm.Y31,'71. JOHN SCOI7. S. T. BROWN. J. BAILEY Q,COTT, BROWN & BAILEY, At torneys-at-Law, Huntingdon, Pa. Pensions, and all claims of soldiers and soldiers' heirs against the Government will be - promptly prosecuted. Glace on Uill street. [jan.4,'7l. TW. MYTON, Attorney-at-Law, Hun • tingdon, Pa. Office with J. Sewell Stewart, Esq. (jan.4,71. WILLIAM A. FLEMING, Attorney at-Law, Huntingdon, Pa. Special attention given to collections, and all other legal business attended to with care and promptness. Office, No. 229, Hill street. [apl9,'7l. Hotels MORRISON HOUSE, OPPOSITE PENNSYLVANIA R. R. DEPOT. HUNTINGDON, PA J. 11. CLOVER, Prop. April &, 1171-Iy. WASHINGTON HOTEL, S. B. BOWDON, Prop'r. Corner of Pitt & Juliana fits., Bedford, Pa. mayl. VXCHANGE HOTEL, Huntingdon, -4- , 4 P. JOHN S. MILLER, Proprietor. Jana:try 4, 1871. Miscellaneous Z. RAM, I A. lENTMY. I J. 11111LC6. I Dm:, ursou BARTOL, KENNEDY & CO. [Lately Franklin Manufacturiny Company.] Manufactures Flooring, Siding, Doors, Sash, Shutters, Blinds, Moulding, Scroll Work, Counters, Shelving, Wood Turnings, Hobbs, Spokes, Bent Work, Forks, Rakes, Broome, Pick, and Hammer Handles, all kinde of Furniture, &c. Our Machinery the very best quality and giving our entire being of attention to the business wo are able to manufacture all of the aboved named articles, as well as many others, in the best style and always promptly. All orders addressed to BARTOL, KENNEDY CO., Huntingdon, Pa., will receive our immediate attention. Prise list furnished when desired. Lumber taken in exchange for all kinds of work. Jan. 31. lii I. R. A. BECK, Fashionable Barber and Hairdresser, Hill street, opposite the Franklin 'louse. All kinds of Tonics and Pomades kept onhand and far Bale. [apl9,'7l-6m f.r., 11,g 147' ;-724 S ZI • :4. e untm „d oll Journ a (11111.1) [OFFICIAL.] LA_ W S J. A. NASH, Oi TUE UNITED STATES PASSED AT TIIE FIRST SESSION OF THE FORTY-SECOND CONG nEss. [GENEnAL NATUILE—NO. 118.1 Sec. 192. That the compensation for publish ing the list of non-delivered letters shall in no Cane exceed one cent for each letter publish ed Sec. 193. That all letters published as non delivered shall be charged with one cent in addition to the regular postage, to he account ed for as part of the postal revenue. SEC. 194. That the Postmaster General may regulate the period during which undelivered letters shall remain in any post-office, and when they shall be returned to the dead letter office ; and he may make regulations for their return from the dead-letter office to the Writers, when they cannot be delivered to the parties addressed. SEC. 195. That all domestic letters, deposited in any post-office for mailing, on which the postage is wholly unpaid or paid less than one full rate as required by law, except letters lawfully free, and duly certified letters of soldiers, sailors, and-marines in the service of the United States, shall be sent by the post master to the dead-letter cffice in Washington : Provided, That in large cities and adjacent districts of dense population having two or more post offices within a distance of three miles of each other, any letter mailed at one of such offices, which shall have been inadver tently prepaid at the drop or local letter rate of postage only, may be forwarded to its des tination through the proper office, charged with the amount of the deficient postage, to he collected on delivery. Sze. 196. That dead letters containing val uable inclosures shall be registered in the dead letter office; and when they cannot he delivered to the party addressed nor to the writer, the contents thereof shall be disposed of, and a careful account shall be kept of the amount realized in each case, which shall be subject to reclamation by either the party ad dressed or the sender, for four years from the registry thereof; and all other letters of value or of importance to the party addressed or to the writer, and which cannot be returned to either, shall be disposed of as the Postmaster General may direct. SEC. 197. That the action of the postoffice department respecting foreign dead letters shall be subject to conventional stipulations with the respective foreign administrations. Sec. 199. That when the writer of any letter on which the postage is prepaid shall indorse upon the outside thereof his name and address, such letter shall not be advertised, but after remaining uncalled for at the office to which it is directed thirty days, or the time the wri• ter may direct, shall be returned to him with out additional charge for postage, and if not then delivered shall be treated as adead letter. Sec. 199. That prepaid and free letters shall be forwarded from one postofficeto another, at the request of the party addressed, without additional charge for postage. Sea. 200. That all the waters of the United States shall be post roads during the time the mail is carried thereon, as provided in section two hundred and nineteen. SEC. 201. That all railways and parts of railways which are now or hereafter may be put in operation ere hereby declared to be post roads. SEC. 202. That all canals daring the time the mail is carried thereon are hereby declared to be post roads. SEC. 203. That all plank roads during the time the mail is carried thereon are hereby declared to be post roads. SEC. 204. That the road on which the mail is carried to supply any court house which may be without a mail, as provided in section two hundred and sixteen, and the road on which the mail is carried, under section two hundred and twenty-one, providing for ex tending the line of posts, shall, during the time such mail is carried thereon, be post roads. Sec. 205. That all letter carrier routes es tablishei in any city or town, for the collec tion and delivery of mail matte , . by carriers, are hereby declared to be post roads. - Sac. 206. That when there is more than one road between places designated by law for a post road, the Postmaster General may direct which shall bo considered the post road. SEC. 207. That the Postmaster General may change the terminus of post roads connecting with or intersecting railways when the service can be thereby improved. SEc. 208. That whenever, in the opinion of the Postmaster General, the postal service cannot be safely continued, the revenues col lected, or the laws maintained on any post road, he may discontir.ue the service on such road or any part thereof until the same can be safely restored. Sac. 209. That the Postmaster General may, when he deems it advisable, contract for the transportation of the mails to and from any post office : but where such service is perform ed over a route not established by law, it shall be his duty to report the same to Congress at its meeting next thereafter, and said service shall cease at the end of the next session of Congress, unless said route is established a post rote by Congress. Sac. 210. That the Postmaster General shall arrange the railway routes on which the mail is carried, including those in which the service is partly by railway and partly by steamboat, into three daisies, according to the size of the mails, the speed at which they are carried, and ebb frequency and importance of the service, so that each railway company shall receive, as far as practicable, a proportionate and just rate of compensation, according to the service performed. Sac. 211. That the pay for carrying the mail on any rai.way of the first class shall not exceed three hundred dollars per mile per annum ; on any railway of the second class it shall not exceed one hundred dollars per mile per annum ; and on any railway of the third class it shall not exceed fifty dollars per mile per annum ; but if one-half the service on any railway is required to be performed in the night time, the Postmaster General may pay twenty five per centum in addition to the above maximum rates. SEC. 212. That if the Postmaster General is unable to contract for carrying the mail on any railway route at a compensation not exceeding the maximum rates herein provided, or for what he may deem a reasonable and fair com pensation, be may separate tho letter mail from the other mail, and contract, either with or without advertising, for carrying such letter mail by horse express or otherwise, at the greatest speed that can reasonably be obtain ed, and for carrying the other mail in wagons, or otherwise, at a slower rate of speed. SEC. 213. That every railway company car rying the mail shall carry op any train which may run over its road, and without extra charge therefor, ail mailable matter directed to be carried thereon, with the person in charge of the same. SEC. 214. That all railway companies to which the United States have furnished aid by grant of lands, right of way, or otherwise, shall carry the mail at such prices as Congress may by law provide; and, until such price is fixed by law, the Postmaster General may fix the rate of compensation. Ssc. 215. That the Postmaster General shall provide for carrying the mail on all post roads established by law, as often as be, having due regard to productiveness and other circum stances, may think proper. Sac. 210. That the Postmaster General shall cause a mail to be carried from the nearest postoffice on any established post road to the court house of any countyin the United States which is without e mail. See. 217. That the Postmaster General may contract for carrying the mail on the naviga ble canals of the several States, when, in his opinion, the public interest or convenience requires it. Sec. 218. That the Postmaster General may contract for carrying the mail on any plank road in the United States, when the public in terest or convenience requires it. SEC. 219. That the Postmaster General may cause the mail to be carried in any steamboat or other vessel used as a packet on any of the waters of the United States. Sea. 220. That the Postmaster General may, if he deem it for the public interest, make contracts for any period not exceeding one year, fez' carrying the mail in steamships be tween any of the ports of the United States. Sze. 221. That the Postmaster General may enter into contracts for extending the line of posts to supply mails to postoffices sot on any established route, and, as a compensation for carrying the mail under such contracts, may allow not exceeding two•thirds of the salary paid to the postmaster at such special offices. SEC. 222. That the master of any vessel of the United States, bound from any port there in to any foreign port, or from any foreign port to any port of the United States, shall, before clearance, receive on board and se curely convey all such mails as the postoffice department, or any diplomatic or consular officer of the United States abroad, shall offer; and he shall promptly deliver the same, on ar riving at the port of destination. to the proper officer, for which lie shall receive two cents for ev• ry letter so delivered ; and upon the entry of every such vessel returning from any foreign port, the master thereof shall make oath or affirmation that be has promptly de livered all the mail placed on board said ves sel before clearance from the United States; and if he shall fail to make such oath or affirmation, the said vessel shall not be enti tled to the privileges of a vessel of the United States. Ssc. 223. That the master of any steamboat passing between ports or places in the United States, and arriving at any such port or place where there is a postoffice, shall deliver to the postmaster, within three hours after his ar rive), if in the day time, and if at night, within two hours after the next sunrise, all letters and packets brought by him, or within his power or control and not relating to the cargo, addressed to or destined forsnch port or place, for which he shall receive from the postmaster two cents for each letter or picket so deliv ered, unless the same is carried under a con tract for carrying the mail ; and for every failure to so deliver such letters and packets, the master or owner of said steamboat shall forfeit and pay one hundred and fifty dollars. SEC. 224. That the Postmaster General may pay, to the master or owner of any vessel not regularly employed in carrying the mail, two cents for each letter carried by such vessel between ports or places in the United States, or from any foreign port to any port in the United States; but all such letters shall be deposited in the postoffice at the port of arri val. Ste. 225. That any person who shall paint, print, or in any manner place upon or attach to any steamboat or other vessel, or any stage coach or other vehicle, not actually used in carrying the mail, the "United States mail," or any words, letters, or characters of like im port ; any person who shall give notice, by publishing in any newspaper or otherwise, that any steamboat or other vessel, or any stage coach or other vehicle, is used in car rying the mail, when the same is not actually so used, every person so offending, or wilfully aiding or abetting therein, shall, on conviction thereof, for every such offense, forfeit and pay not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars. SEC. 226. That every route agent, postal clerk, or other carrier of the mail shall receive any mail matter presented to him, if properly prepaid by stamps, and deliver the same for mailing at the next postoffice at which he ar- rives ; but uo fees shall be allowed him there for. SEC. '227. That any person concerned in carrying the mail, who shall collect, receive, or carry any letter or packet, or cause or pro cure the same to be done, contrary to law, shall, on conviction thereof, for every such offence, forfeit and pay not exceeding fifty dol lars. Sac. 228. That noperson shall establish any private express for the conveyance of letters or pickets, or in any manner cause or provide for the conveyance of the same by regular trips or at stated periods, over any nest route which is or may be established by law, or from any city, town, or place to any other city, town, or place between which the mail is regularly carried; and every person so offend ing, or aiding or assisting therein, for each offence, forfeit and pay one hundred and fifty dollars. Sac. 229. That the owner of every stage coach, railway car, steamboat, or other vehicle or vessel, which shall, with the knowledge of any owner, in whole or in part, or with the knowledge or connivance of the driver, con ductor, master, or other person having charge of the same, convey any person acting or em ployed as a private express for the conveyance of letters or packets, and actually in possess ion of the same for the purpose of conveying them contrary to the spirit, true intent, and meaning of this law, shall, for every such offence, forfeit and pay one hundred and fifty dollars. SEC. 230. That no person shall transmit by private express or other unlawful means, or deliver to any agent of such unlawful express, or deposit, or cause to be deposited, at any appointed place, for the purpose of being trans mitted, any letter or packet, and for every such offence the party so offending shall for feit and pay fifty dollars. Sze. 231. That no stage coach, railway car, steamboat, or other vehicle or vessel which regularly' performs trips at stated periods on any post route, or from any city, town, or place to any other city, town or place between which the mail is regularly carried, shall carry, otherwise than in the mail, any letters or packets, except such as relate to some part of the cargo of such steamboat or other vessel, or to some article earned at the same time by the same stage coach, railway car, or other vehicle, except as provided in section two hundred and thirty pine; and for every such offense the owner of the stage coach, railway car, steamboat, or other ve hicle or vessel shall forfeit and pay one hun dred dollars; and the driver, conductor, mas ter, or other person having charge thereof, and not at the time owner of the whole or Any part thereof, shall in like manner forfeit and pay for every such off nee fifty dollars. Sac. 232. That no person shall carry any letter or packet on board any vessel which carries the mail otherwise than in such mail, except as provided in section two hundredand thirty-nine; and for every such offence the party offending shall forfeit and pay fifty. dol lars. Sze. 233. That no vessel departing from the United States for any foreign port shall receive on board or convey any lotter or packet origi nating in the United States which has not been regularly received from the postoffice at the port of departure, and which does not re late to the cargo of said vessel, except as pro vided in section two hundred and thirty nine; and every collector, or otherofficer of the port empowered to grant clearances, shall require from the master of said vessel, as a condition of clearance, an oath or affirmation that he has not received on board, has not under his care or control, and willnot receive or convey any letter or packet contrary to the provisions of this section. Sec. 234. That no vessel arriving within any port or collection district of the United States shall be allowed to make entry or break bulk until all letters on board are delivered at the nearest post office, and the master thereof has signed and sworn to the followina declaration, before the collector or other proper customs officer ,4 1, A. 8., master of the -, arriving from -, and now lying in the port of -, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have, to the best of my knowledge andbelief, delivered, at the post office at -' every letter, and ev ery bag, packet or parcel of letters, which were on board the said vessel during her last voy age, or which were in my possession or under my power or control:" And any master who shall break bulk be fore he has delivered such letters shall, on conviction thereof, forfeit not exceeding one hundred dollars for every such offense, one half to the officer making the seizure, and the other to the use of the United States. Sac. 235. That any special agent of the Post Office Department, when instructel by the postmaster general to make examinations and seizures, and the collector or other customs officer of any port without special instructions shall carefully search all vessels for letters which may be on board or which have been conveyed contrary to law. Sec. 236. That any special agent of the post office department, collector, or other customs officer, or United States marshal or his deputy may at all times seize all letters and bags, packets or parcels, containing letters which are being carried coati ary to law on board any vessel o: on any post route, and convey the same to the nearest post office, or may, by the direction of the postmaster general or secreta ry of the treasury, detain them until two months after the final determination of all HUNTINGDON, PA., OCTOBER 23, 1872. suits and proceedings which may, at any time within six months after such seizure, be brot' against any person for sending or carrying such letters. SEc. 237. That every package or parcel seized by any special agent of the post office department, collector,or other customs officer, or United States marshal or his deputies, in which any letter is unlawfully concealed, shall be forfeited to the United States, and the same proceedings may be had to enforce the for feiture as are authorized in respect to goods, wares, and merchandise forfeited, for violation of the revenue laws • and all laws for the ben efit and protection of customs officers making seizures for violating the postal laws. SEC. 238. That nothing herein contained shall be construed to prohibit the conveyance or transmission of letters or packets by private hands without compensation, or by special messenger employed for the particular occa sion only. Sec. 239. That all letters inclosed in stamp ed envelopes (the postage stamp in every cans being of a denomination sufficient to cover the postage that would be chargeable thereon if the same were sent by mail) may be sent, con veyed, and delivered otherwise than by mail, proVided such envelope shall be duly directed and properly sealed, so that the letter cannot be taken therefrom without defacing the en velope, and the date of the letter or of the transmission or receipt thereof shall be writ ten or stamped upon the envelope. But the postmaster general may suspend the operation of this section upon any mail route where the public interest may require such suspension. Sac. 240. Thatwhe'n the amount of mail matter to be carried on any mail route is so great as to seriously retard the progress or endanger the security of the letter maii, or materially increase the cost of carriage at the ordinary rate of speed, the postmaster general may provide for the separate carriage of the letter mail at the usual rate of speed ; but the other mail matter shall not be delayed any more than is absolutely necessary, having duo regard to the cost of expedition and the means at his disposal for effecting the same. SEC. 241. That any person who shall know ingly and willfully obstruct or retard the pas sage of the mail, or any carriage, horse, dri ver, or carrier carrying the same, shall, on conviction thereof, for every such offense, for feit and pay not exceeding one hundred dol lars. SEC. 242. That any ferryman who shall de lay the passage of the mail by willful neglect or refusal to transport the same across any ferry shall, for every ten minutes such mail may be so delayed, forfeit and pay ten dollars. SEC. 243. That before making any contract for carrying the mail, other than those herein after excepted, the postmaster general shall give public notice by advertising once a week for six weeks in one or more, not exceeding five, newspapers published in the State or Ter ritory where the service is to be performed, one of which shall be published at the seat of gov ernment of such State or Territory; and such notice shall describe the route, the time at which the mail is to be made up, the time ..t which it is to be delivered, and the frequency of the service; and the postmaster general shall direct, by special order in each ease, the newspapers in which mail lettings, or other proposals relative to the business of his De partment, shall be advertised, and no publish er shall be paid for such advertisements with out having been requested by the postmaster general to publish the same, SEC. 244. That proposals for carrying the mail shall be delivered scaled, and so kept un til the bidding is closed, and shall then be opened and marked in the presence of the postmaster general, and one of the Assistant Postmasters General, or of two of the Assist ant Postmasters General, or of any other two officers of the Department, to be designated by the postmaster general; and any bidder may withdraw his bid at any time before twenty four hours previous to the time fixed for the opening of proposals, by serving upon the postmaster general, or the second assistant postmaster general, notice in writing of such withdrawal. Sao. 245. That every proposal for carrying the mail shall be accompanied by a written guarantee, signed by one 9r more responsible persons, and undertaking that, within such timo after the bid is accepted as the postmas ter general may prescribe, the bidder will en ter into an obligation, with good and sufficient sureties, to perform the service proposed; and no proposals shall be considered unless ac companied by such guarantee. SEC. 246. That exch bid for carrying the mail hereafter have affixed to it the oath of the bidder, taken before an officer qualified to administer oaths that he has the ability pecu niarily to fulfil his obligations, and that the bid is made in good faith and with the inten tion to enter into contract and perform the service, in case his bid shall be accepted; and that the slmatures of his guarantors are gen uine, and that he believes said guarantors pe cuniarly responsible for and able to pay all damages the United States shall suffer by rea son of the bidder's failing to perform his obli. gations as such bidder. Ssc. 247. That any postmaster or other offi cer of the post office department who shall affix his signature to the certificate of suffi ciency of guarantors or sureties before the gu aranty or contract is signed by the guarantors or sureties, or shall knowingly make any false or illusory certificate, shall be forthwith dis missed from office, and shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both. See. 248. That the postmaster general shall have recorded, in a book to be kept for that purpose, a true and faithful abstract of all proposals made to him for carrying the mail, giving the name of the party offering, the terms of the offer, the sum to be paid, and the time the contract is to continue ; and he shall put on file and preserve the originals of all such proposals. SEC. 249. That all contracts for carrying the mail shall be in the name of the United States, ' and shall be awarded to the lowest bidder ten dering sufficient guarantees for faithful per formance, without other reference tothe mode of transportation than may be necessary to provide for the due celerity, certainty, and se curity thereof; but the postmaster general shall not he'bound to consider the hid of any person who has wilfully or negligently failed to perform a former contract. Sim. 250. That no contract for carrying the mail shall be made with any person who has entered, or proposed to enter, into ary combi nation to ilievent the making of any bid for carrying the mail, or who has made any agree ment, or given or performed, or promised to give or perform, any consideration whatever to induce any other person not to bind for any such contract ; and if any person so offending is a contractor for carrying the mail, his con tract may be annulled ; and for the first offense the person so offending shall be disqualified to contract for carrying the mail for five years, and for the second offense shall bo forever dis qualified. SEC. 251. That after any regular bidder or contractor for the transportation of the mail, upon any route shall have failed to enter into I contract, and commence the performance' thereof as herein provided, the postmaster gen eral Shall proceed to contract with the next lowest bidder for such service, who will enter into a contract and perform the same, unless the postmaster general shall consider such bid too high, in which case he shall re-advertise such service. And in all cases of regular con tracts hereafter made the contract may, in the discretion of the postmaster general, be con tinued in force beyond its express terms for a period not exceeding six months, until a new contract with the same or other contractors shall be made by the postmaster general. The postmaster general may contract, without ad vertisement, for a period not to exceed twelve months, for the carriage of the mail on such route during the time that shall necesaarily elapse between the failure of either of the ac cepted bidders to enter into a contract and the time when the next accepted bidder ender the old or a new advertisement shall enter upon his contract; and the difference between the price proposed in the accepted bid and that paid for intermediate service shall be charged to the failing bidder or bidders, and may be recovered in the name of the United States for the use of the post office department, in an action on the case. And when the contract shall be made and concluded, the difference between the accepted bid of the failing bidders and the amount payable under the contract for the service of two years shall be forthwith charged against the failing bidder or bidders;_ and an action for such sum in the nature of liquidated damages shall accrue to the United States for the use of the post office department immediately upon the execution of the final contract. And both causes of action mention ed in this section may be joined in one suit. SEC 252. That no bidder for carrying the mails shell be released from his obligation under his bid or proposal, notwithstanding an award made to a lower bidder, until a contract for the designated set, ice shall have been duly executed by such lower bidder and his sure ties, end accepted, and the service entered upon by the contractor to the satisfaction of the Postmaster General. SEC. 253. That hereafter all bidders upon every mail route for the transportation of the mails upon the same, where the annual com pensation for the service on such route at the time exceeds the sum of five thousand dollars, shall accompany their bids with a certified check or draft, payable to the ordcr of the postmaster general upon some solvent nation al bank, which check or draft shall not be less than five per centum on the amount of the an nual pay on said route at the time such bid is made ; and in case of new service, not less than five per centum of the amount of one year's pay proposed in such bid, if the bid exceed five thousand dollars per annum. SEC. 254. That any person or persons bid ding for the transportation of the mails upon any route which may be advertised to be let, and receiving an award of the contract for such service, who shall wrongfully refuse or fail to enter into contract with the postmaster general in due form, and perform the service described in his or their bid or proposal, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and. on conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars and by im prisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months. Sze. 255. That the postmaster general, when ever he may deem it consistent with the pub lie interest, may accept new surety upon any contract existing or hereafter made for carry ing the mails, in substitution for and release of any existing surety. Sec. 256. That no contract for carrying the mail shall be made for a longer term than four years, and no contract for carryizg the mail on the sea shall be made for a longer term than two years. Sec. 257. That whenever, by mason of any error, omission, or other cause, any route which should properly be advertised for the regular letting is omitted, it shall be the duty of the postmaster general to advertise the same as soon as the error or omission shall be dis covered, and the proposals for such route shall be opened as soon as possible after the other proposals in the same contract section; and the contract made under such supplementary advertisement shall run, as nearly as possible, from the beginning to the end of the regular contract term, and, during the time necessari ly lost by reason of such error, omission, or other cause, the postmaster general shall pro vide for the carrying of the. mail on such route at as low rate as possible, without advertising. SEC. 24. That whenever it becomes neces sary to change the terms of as existing con tract for carrying the mail . otherwise than as provided in sections two hundred and sixty and two hundred and sixty one, notice thereof shah be given and proceedings had thereon the same as at the letting, of original contracts. Sec. 259. That no person whose bid for carrying the mail is accepted shall receive any pay until he has executed his contract accord ing to law and the regulations of the Depart. meat. _ _ _ Sec. 260. That compensation for additional service in carrying the mail shall not be in excess of the exact proportion which the orig inal compensation bears to the original service; and when any such additional service is order ed, the sum to be allowed therefor shall be expressed in the order, and entered upon the books of the Department: and no compensation *shall be paid for any additional regular service rendered before the issuing of such order. Sec. 261. That no extra allowance shall be made for any increase of expedition in carrying the mail unless thereby the employment of additional stock and carriers is made neces sary, and in such case the additional compen sation shall bear no greater proportion to the additional stock and carriers necessarily em ployed than the compensation in the original contract bears to the stock and carriers neces sarily employed in its execution. Sac. 262. That the Postmaster General shall deliver to the Auditor for Post office Depart ment, within sixty days after the making of any contract for carrying the mail, a duplicate copy - thereof. SEC. 263. That the Postmaster General, after advertising for proposal, may enter into con tracts or make suitable arrangements for transporting the mail through any foreign country, between any two points in the United States, and such transportation shall bo by the speediest. safest, and most economical route; and all contracts therefor may be revoked whenever any new road or canal shall be opened affording a speedier, more cconom cal, and equally safe transportation between the same points ; but in case of the revocation of any such contract, a fair indemnity shall be awarded to the contractor. Sec. 264. That the Postmaster General may contract with the owner or master of any steamboat plying upon the waters of the United States, or of any steamship or other vessel plying between ports of the United States, for carrying the mail for any length of time less than four years, and without adver tising for proposals therefor, whenever the public interests and convenience will thereby be promoted; but the price paid for such shall in no case be greater than the average price paid under the last preceding or then existing regular contract on the same route, Sec. 265. That the Postmaster General may enter into contracts for carrying the mail, with railway companies, without advertising for bids therefor ; and the Postmaster General may allow any railroad company with whom he may contract for the carrying of the United States mail, and who furnish railway post office cars for the transportation of the mail, such additional compensation beyond ~hat now allowed by law as he may think fit, not exceeding, however, fifty per centum of the said rates. SEC. 266. That the Postmaster General may make deductions from the pay of contractors, for failures to perform service according to contract, and impose fines upon them for other delinquencies. Ile may deduct the price of the trip in all cases where the trip is not performed; and not exceeding three times the price if the failure be occasioned by the fault of the contractor or carrier. Sec. 2G7. That the Postmaster General may, after advertising for proposals, enter into contracts for the transportation of the mail between the United States and any foreign country whenever the public interests will thereby be promoted. Sec. 268. That the mail between the United States and any foreign port, or between ports of the United States touching at a foreign port, shall be transported in steamships ; but the Postmaster General may have such trans portation performed by sailing vessels when the service can be facilitated thereby. SEC. 269. That for transporting the mail between the United States and any foreigi port, or between ports of the United States touching at a foreign port, the Postmaster General may allow as compensation, if by a United States steamship, any sum not exceed ing the sea and United States inland postage, and if by a foreign steamship or by a sailing vessel, any sum not exceeding thesea postage, on the mail so transported. Sec. 270. That the Postmaster General may impose fines on contractors for transporting the mail between the United States and any foreign country, for any unreasonable on un necessary delay in the departure of such mail, or the the performance of the trip; but the fine for any one default shall not exceed one half the contract price for the trip. Sac. 271. That no contractor for transport ing the mail within or between the United States and any foreign country shall assign or transfer his contract, and all such assign ments or transfers shall be null and void. Sac. 272, That every contract for transport the mail between the United States and any foreign country shall contain, besides the usual stipulation for the right of the Post master General to discontinue the same, the further stipulation that it may be terminated by Congress SEC 273. That the postmaster General may, by and with the advice and consent of the President, make any arrangements which may be deemed just and. expedient for allowing the mails of Canada, or any other country adjoining the United States, to be transported over the territory of the United States from one point in such country to any other point in the same, at the expense of the country to which the mail belongs, upon obtaining a like privilege for the transportation of the United States mail through the country to which the privilege is granted ; but such privilege may at any time be annulled by the Presidbnt or Congress from and after one month succeeding the day on which notice of the act of the President or Congress is given to the chief executive or head of the postoffice department of the country whose privilege is to be annulled. Sec. 274. That every foreign mail shall. while being transported across the territory of the United States under the provisions of the preceding section, be deemed and taken to be a mail of the United States, so far as to make any violation thereof, or depredation thereon, or offense in respect thereto, or any part therof, an offense of the same grade, ana punishable in the same manner and to the same extent as though the said mail was mail of the United States ; and in any indict ment for any such offense, the said mail, at any part thereof, may be alleged to be, and on the trial of any such indictment it shall be deemed and held to be, a snail or part of a mail of the United States. C. 375. That the Postmaster General or the Secretary of State is hereby authorized to empower the consuls of the United States to pay the foreign postage on such letters dentin ed for the United States as may be detained at the ports of foreign countries for the nonpay ment of postage,which postage shall be by the consul marked as paid by him, and the amount thereof shall be collected in the United States as other postage, on the delivery of the letters, and repaid to said consul, of credited on his account at the State Depart ment. SEc. 276. That the Postmaster General, under the directi sit of the President of the United States,is hereby authorized and empowered to charge upon, and collect from, all letters and other mailable matter carried to or from any port of the United States, in any foreign packetship or other vessel, the same rate or rates of charge for American postage which the government to which such foresgn packet or other vessel belongs imposes upon letter: and other mailable matter conveyed to or from such foreign country in American pack ets or vessels as the postage of such govern ment, and at any time to revoke the same ; and it shall be the duty of all custom house officers and other United States agents desig nated or appointed for that purpose to enforce or carry tote effect the foregoing provisions and to aid or assist in the collection of such postage; and to that end it shall be lawful for such officers and agents, on suspicion of fraud, to open and examine, in the presence of two or more respectable persons, being citi zees of the United States, any package or packages supposed to contain mailable matter found on board such packets or other vessels or elsewhere, and to prevent, if necessary, such packets or other vessels from entering, break ing bulk, or making clarance until such letters or other mailable matter aro duly delivered into the United States post-office. SEC. 277. That all letters or other mailable matter conveyed to or from any part of the United States by any foreign packet or ship, except such sealed letters relating to said ship or vessel, or any part of the cargo thereof as may be directed to the owner or owners, con signees, of said ship or other vessel, shall be so subject to postage charge as aforsaid, whether addressed to any person in the United States or elsewhere, provided it is done by the packet or other ship of a foreign country imposing postage on letters or mailable matter conveyed to or from such country by any packet or other ship of the United States; and such lett• re or other mailable matter car ried in foreign packet ships or other vessels, except such unsealed letters relating to the ship or vessel, oz any part of the cargo thereof, as may be directed to the owner or owners, consignee or consignees, as aforsaid, are hereby required to be delivered, into the United States post office by the master or commanders of all such packets or other ves sels when arriving, and to be taken from a United States postoffiee when departing, and the postage pasd thereon justly chargeable by this act; and for refusing or failing to do so, or for conveying said letters or any letters intended to be conveyed in any ship or vessel of such foreign country over or across the United States, or any portion thereof, the party offending shall, ou conviction, forfeit sad pay not exceeding one thousand dollars for each offense. Sac. 878. Thrt any person who shall will fully or maliciously injure, deface, or destroy any mailmatter, deposited in any letterbox, pillarbox or other receptacle established by authority of the Postmaster General for the safe deposit of matter for the mail or for de livery, or who shall willfully aid or assist in injuring such mail matter, shall, on conviction thereof, for every such offense, forfeit and pay not more than five hundred dollars, or be imprisoned not more three years, at the discretion of the court. Sec. 279. That any person employed in any department of the postal service who shall secrete, embezzle, or destroy anyletter, pack et, bag, or mail of letters intrtsted to him, or shall come into his possession. and which was intended to be conveyed by mail, or carried or delivered by any mail carrier, mail messen ger, route-agent, letter carrier, or other per son employed in any department of the postal service, or forwarded through or delivered from any postoffice established by authority of the postmaster General, and which shall contain any note, bond, draft, check, warrant, revenue-stamp, postage-stamp, stamped envel ope, postal :card, money order, certificste of stock, or other pecuniary obligation or secur ity of the government, or if any officer or fiscal agent thereof, of any description what ever; any banknote, bank postbill, bill of exchange, or note of assignment of stock in the funds ; any letter of attorney for receiving annuities or dividends, selling stock in the funds, or collecting the interest thereof; any letter or credit, note, bond, warrant, draft, bill, promissory note, covenant, contract, or agreement. whatsoever, for or relaling to the payment of money, or the delivery of any article of value, or the performance of any act, matter, or thing; any receipt, release, acquit tance, or discharge of or from any debt, covenant, or demand, or any part thereof; any copy of the record of any judgment or decree in any court of law or chancery, or any execution-which may have issued thereon; any copy of any other record, or any other article of value, or writing representing the same; any such person who shall steal or take any of the things aforsaid out of any letter, packet, bag, or mail of letters which shall have come into his possession, either in the regular course of his official duties, or in any other manner whatever, and provided the same shall not have been delivered to the party to whom it is directed, every such person shall, on conviction thereof. for every such offense; be imprisoned at bard labor not less than one nor more than five years. Sec. 280. That the fact that any letter, pack et, bag, or mail of letters shall have been de posited in any postoffice or branch postoffice established by authority of the postmaster General, or in any other authorized depository for mail matter, or in charge of an postmaster, assistant, clerk, rarrier, agent, or messenger employed in any department of the postal ser vice, shall be taken and held to be evidence that the same was "intended to be conveyed by mail" within the meaning of this statute. SEc. 281. That any person who shall steal the mail, or steal or take from or out of any mail, or post office, branch post office, or other authorized depository for mail matter, any let tar or packet ; any person who shall take the mail, or any letter or packet therefrom, or from any post office, branch post office, or other au thorized depository for mail matter, with or without the consent of the person having cus tody thereof, and open, embezzle or destroy, any such mail, letter, or package which shall contain any note, bond, draft, check, warrant, revenue stamp, postage stamp, stamped envel ope, money order, certificate of stock, or other pecuniary obligation or security of the gov ernment, or of any officer or fiscal agentthere of, of any descriptionwhatever ; any bank note, bank post-bill, bill of exchange, or note of assignment of stock in the funds ; any letter of attorney for receiving annuities or dividends, selling stock in the fund., or collecting the interest thereof; any letter of credit, note, bond, warrant, draft, bill, promissory note, covenant, contract, or agreement whatsoever for or relating to the payment or the delivery of any article of value, or the performance of any act, matter or thing ; any person who by fraud or deception, obtain from any person having custody thereof, any such mail, letter or packet containing any such article of value aforesaid, every such person, not being em- ployed in any department of the postal service shall, on conviction thereof, for every such offence, be imprisoned at hard labor not less than one nor more than five years. Sec. 282 That any person who shall be accessory after the fact to the miens', or stealing or taking Any letter, postal card, or other mad niatterpor Any inclosure;therel u, or to any other offense against .ho postal laws, shall, on conviction thereof, torfeit And pay not-exceeding ono thousand dollars, and Je imprisoned not exceeding five years; and any Accessory after the Met may be tried, convicted, And punished in the district in which his offense was committed, theugh the principal offense may nave been committed in another district; and such trial, conviction, and punishment may be before that of the principal offender, when such principal offender has fled treat justice or cannot be arrested ao he put on trial. Sec. 293. That any person who shall buy, re ceive, or conceal, or aid in buying, receiving, or concealing any note, bond, draft, check, warrant, revenue stamp, stamped envelope, postal card, money order, certificate of stock, or other pecuni ary obligation or security of the government, or of any officer or fiscal agent therefore, of any des cription whatever; or from any person having custody thereof, every such person shall, on con viction thereof; for every such offense, forfeit and pay not exceeding two thousand dollars, and be confined at hard labor nut exceeding five years; ,nd such offender may be tried, convicted, anu ounished without the principal offender being first tried, when principal offender has fled from justice sr cannot be found to be put on trial. Sec. 284. That any person employed in any de partment of the postal service who shall improp crly detain, delay, embezzle, or destroy any news pallier, or permit any otherperson to detain, data), cinuezzle, or destroy the same, or open, or permit any other person to open, any mail or package of oewspapers not directed to the office where he is employed. shall on conviction thereof, for every such offense, forfeit and pay not exceeding fifty dollars. And if any other person shall open, em mule, or destroy any mail or package of news papers not being directed to Min, and not being authorized to open or receive the same, every such person shall on conviction thereof, for every such Jffense, forfeit and pay not exeeeeding twenty dol. :ars. And any person who shall take or steal any mail or package of newspapers from any postoffice, Jr from any person having in custody thereof, avery such person shall, on convict on thereof, for every such offense, be imprisoned at hard labor not exceeding three months. . . . Sec. 2g5. That any person who shall rob any carrier, agent, or other person entrusted with the mail, of such mail, or nay part thereof, be impris oned at hard labor not less than live nor more than ten years. Sec. 286. That any person who shall be accesso ry after the fact to any robbery of the carrier, agent, or other person entrusted with the mail, of such mail, or any part thereof, shall, on conviction thereof, for every such offense, forfeit and pay not exceeding two thousand dollars, and be imprisoned at hard labor not exceeding ten years. Sec 237 That any person who shall attempt to reb the mail by assaulting the person having cus tody thereof, shooting at him or his horse, or threatening him with dangerous weapons, and shall not effect such robbery, shall, on conviction thereof, be imprisoned at hard labor not less than two nor more than ten years. . . . See 2SB That any person who shall have taken charge of the mail and shall voluntarily quit or leserf the same before he has delivered it into the post office at the termination of the route, or to somo unknown mail carrier, messenger, agent, or other employee of the Post Office Department au thorized to receive the same, shall, on conviction thereof, for every such offe.e, forfeit and pay not exceeding five hundred dollars, and be imprisoned not less than three months nor more than one year. Sec 259 That all laws defining punishment for depredations committed upon tho mail shall extend to and have full force in the Indian country. S. 290 That any person who Mull steal, pur loin, embezzle any mail bag or other property in use by or belonging to the Post-office Department, or who shall, for any lucre, gain, or convenience, . - appropriate any such property to his own or any other than its proper use, or who shall, for any lucre or gain, convey away any such property to the hinderanco or detriment of the public service; every such person, his alders, abettors,and coun sellors, shall, if the value of the property be twenty five dollars or mare, be deemed guilty of felony, and on conviction thereof, for every such offense, shall be imprisoned not exceeding three years : and if the value of the property be less than twenty five dollars. the party offending shall be imprisoned not more than one year, or be fined not less than tea nor more than two hundred dol lars. Sec. 291, That any person who shall tear,cut, or otherwise • injure any mailbag, pouch, or other thin, used . r designed for use in tho - conveyance of the mail, or who draw or break any staple, or loosen any part of any lock, chain, or strap attach ed thereto, with intent to rob or steal any such mail, or to render the same insecure, shall, on con viction thereof, for every such offense, forfeit and pay not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars, or be imprisoned at hard labor not Ices than one nor more than three years, at the discretion of the court. _ SEC. 202. That any person who shall steal, purloin, embezzle, or obtain by any false pre tense, or shall aid or assist in stealing, pur loining, embezzling, or obtaining by any false pretense, any key suited to any lock adopted by the postoffice department, and in 'use on any of the mails or bags thereef ; any person who shall knowingly and unlawfully make, forge, or counterfeit, or cause to be unlawfully made, forged, or counterfeited, or knowingly aid or assist in making, forging, or counter feiting, any such key; any person who shall have in his possession any such mail lock or key, with the intent unlawfully or improperly to use, sell, or otherwise dispose of the same, or to cause the same to be unlawfully or im properly used, sold, or otherwise disposed of; any person engaged as contractor or otherwise in the manufacture of any such mail locks or keys, who shall deliver, or cause to be deliv ered, any finished or unfinished lock or key used or ...signed fur use by said department, or the interior part of any such lock, to any person not duly authorized, under the hand of the Postmaster general and the seal of the postoffice department, to receive the same, (unless the person receiving is the contractor for furnishing the cam:, or engaged in tee manufacture thereof in the manner authorized by the contract, or the agent for such manu facturer,) every such person shall be deemed guilty of felony, and, on conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned not exceeding ten years. Sac. 293. That any person who shall forci bly break into, or attempt to break into any postoffice, or any building used in whole or in part as a postoffice, with intent to commit therein larceny or other depredation, shall, on conviction thereof, be fined not more than one thousand dollars, and imprisoned at hard labor not more than five years, according to the c rcumstances and aggravation of the case, in the discretion: of the court. Sec. 294. That irony person or persons shall falsely make, alter, forge, or counterfeit, or cause or procure to be falsely made, altered, forged, or counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in the false making, altering, forging, or counterfeiting, any bond, bid, proposal, guar antee, security, official bond, public record, affidavit, or other writing for the purpose of defrauding the United States; or shall utter or publish as true, or cause to be uttered or published as true, any such false, forged, alter ed or counterfeited bond, bid, proposal, guar antee, security, official bond, public record, affidavit, or other writing, for the purpose of defrauding the United States, knowing the same to be false, forged, altered, or counter feited; or shall transmit to, or present at, or cause to procure to be transmitted to, or pre sented at, the office of any officer of the United States, any such false, forged, altered, or coon terfeitid bond, bid, proposal, guarantee, secu rity, official bond, public record, affidavit, or other writing, knowing the same to be false, forged, altered, or counterfeited, for the pur pose of defrauding the United States, every such person shall be deemed and adjudged guilty of felony, and, being thereof duly con victed, shall be sentenced to be imprisoned, and kept at hard labor, for a period not ex ceeding ten years, or be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars, or both of said punish ments, in the discretion of the court. Sac. 205. That if any offence shall be com mitted in any place which has been, or shall hereafter be, ceded to and under the jurisdic tion of the United States, which offence is not prohibited, or the punishment thereof is not specially provided for by any law of the Uni ted States, such offence shall, upon conviction in any court of the United States having cogni zance thereof, be liable to, and receive the same punishment as the laws of the State in which such place is or may be situated, now in force, provided for the like offence when committed within the jurisdiction of such State ; and no subsequent appeal of any such State law shall affect any prosecution for such offence in any of the courts of the United States. Sac. 256. That if any postmaster, or other person authorized by the Postmaster General to receive the postage of letters, shall fraudu lently demand or receive any rate of postage, or gratuity, or reward, other than is provided by this act, for the postage of letters or pack- NO. 42. ets, on conviction thereof, be shall forfeit, for every such offence, one hundred dollars. SEC. 297. That if any person employed in any department of the postoffice establish ment of the United States shall, wilfully and knowingly, use, or cause to be used, in pre r payment of postage and postage stamp, postal card, or stamped envelope issued, or which may hereafter be issued, by authority of any act of Congress or of the Postmaster General, which has already been once used for a like purpose, or shall remove, or attempt to remove, the canceling or defacing marks from any such postage stamp, or stamped envelo,,e, or postal card, with intent to use, or cause te use of the same, a second time, or to sell, or offer to sell, the same, or shall remove from letters or other mail matter deposited in or received at postoffice the stamps attached to the same in payment of postage, with intent to use the same a second time for a like purpose, or to sell, or offer to sell, the same, every such offender shall, upon conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of felony, and shall be impris oned for not less than one year nor more than three years. SEC. 298. That if any person not employed in any department of the postoffice establish ment of the United States shall commit Lny cf the offenses described in the precedingsection, every such person shall, on conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and be punished by imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than one year, or by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, for each offence, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. SEC. 299. That the Postmaster General of the United States may empower, by a letter of authorization under his band, to be filed among the records of his department, any special agent or other officer of the postoffice establishment to make searches for mailable matter transported in violation of law ; , and that the agent or officer so authorized may open and search any car or vehicle passing, or lately before having passed, from any place at which there is a postoffice of the United States to any other such place, and any box, pack age, or packet, being, or lately before having been, in such car or vehicle, and any store or house (other than a dwelling house) used or occupied by any common carrier or transpor tation company in which such box, package, or packet may be contained, whenever said agent or officer has reason to believe *bat mailable matter, transported contrary to law, may therein be found. Sec. 300. That the Postmaster General may, upon evidence satisfactory to him that any person, firm, or corporation is engaged in con ducting any fraudulent lottery, gift enterprise, or scheme for the distribution of money, or of any real or personal property, by lot, chance, or drawing of any kind, or in conducting any other scheme or device for obtaining money through the mails by means of false or fraud. ulent pretenses, represeatations, or promises, forbid the payment by any postmaster to any such person, firm, or corporation of .y postal money order drawn to the order or in favor of him ur of them, and may provide by regula tions for the return to the remitters of the sums named in such money orders. And the Postmaster General may also, upon like evi dence, instruct postmasters at any poatoffices at which registered letters shall arrive directed to any such person, firm, or corporation, to return all such registered letters to the post masters at the offices at which they were orig inally mailed, with the word "fraudulent" plainly written or stamped upon the outside of said letters ; and all such letters so returned to such postmasters shall be by them returned to the writers thereof, under such regulations as the Postmaster General may prescribe: Provided, That nothing in this act contained shall be so construed as to authorize any post master or other person to open any letter not addressed to himself. Sze. 301. That if any person having devised or intending to devise any scheme or artifice to defraud, or be effected by either opening or in tending to open correspondence or communication with any other person, (whether resident within or outside of the United Staten,) by means of the postoffice establishment of the United States, or by inciting such other person to open oommunieation with the person so devising or intending, shall, in and for excreting such scheme or artifice, (or at tempting so to do,) place any letter or packet in any postollice of the United States, or take or re ceive any therefrom, snob person, so misusing the postoffice establishment, shall he guil y of a 1111 i, demeanor, and shall be punished with a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, with or without such imprisonment, as the court shall direct, not exceeding eighteen calendar months. The indict ment, information, or complaint may severally charge offenses to the number of three when com mitted within the same six calendar months; but the court thereupon shall give a single sentence, and shall ppportion'the punishment especially to the degree in which the abuse of the postoffice es tablisbm ententes as an instrument into such fraudulent scheme and device. SEC. 302. That all letters, packets, or other matter which may be seized or detained for viola tion oflaw shall ho returned to the owner or sender of the same, or otherwise disposed of as the Post master General may direct. Sze. 303. That all suits arising under the postal laws, or the regulations of the Postmaster General pursuant thereto, shall be instituted in the name of the United States of America, and the demand. in suchsaits shall have all the privileges and pri orities in adjudication and payment secured by law to other claims of the United States. SEC. 304. That all causes of action arising un der the postal laws may be sued, and all offenders against the saute may be prosecuted, before the circuit or district courts of the United States.- Sec. 305. That all oauses of action arising un der the postal laws may Le cued, and all offenders of the same may be prosecuted, before the justices of the peace, magistrates, or other judicial courts of the several States and Territories having com petent jurisdiction by the laws thereof, to the trial of claims and demands of as great value, and of prosecutions where the punishments are of as great extent; and such justiees,magistrates,or judiciary shall take cognizance thereof, and proceed tojudg nient and execution ne in othereases. SEC. 306. That in all suits or anuses arising under the postal laws the court shall proceed to trial and render judgment the first term &thereon, inencement of suit; but whenever service of process shall nut be made at least twenty days previous to the return day of such term, the defendant shall be entitled to one continuance, if on his statement the court shall deem it expedient ; and if said defendant shall make affidavit that he has a claim against the Postuffice Department, which has been submitted to and disallowed by the auditor for said Department, and shall specify such claim in his affidavit, and that he could not be prepared for trial at such term for want of evidence, the court, being satisfied in these respects, may grant a con tinuance until the next succeding term. Sec. 30i. That no claim fur acredit shall be al lowed upon the trial of auy suit for delinquency agiiinst a postmaster, contractor. or other Crier, agent, or employee of the Postoffice Department, unless the same shall have been presented to the Auditor for said Department and by him disallow ed, in whole or in part, utiless it shall be proved, to the satisfaction of the court, that the defendant is at the time of trial, in possession of vouchers nut before in his power to procure, and that he was prevented from exhibiting, to the said Auditor a claim for such credit by come unavoidable acci dent. gCe. 308. That in all suits for balance duo the Postoffiee Department, interest thereon shall be recovered from the time or the default until pay ment at the rate of six per realism per annum. Sec. 309. That in the prosecution of any suit for money due the Postoffice Department, the United States attorney shall obey the directions which may be given him by the Department of Justice; and immediately after the end of every term of any court in which any suit has been pending, suid attorney shall forward to the De partment of Justice a statement of any judgment or order made, or step taken in the came, during such term, accompanied by a certificate of the clerk, showing the parties to and amount of every such judgment, with such other information an the Department of Justice may require. And the said atter., shall direct speedy and effectual exam tion upon avid judgment, and the United States marshal to whom the same is directed shall make returns of the proceedings thereon to the Depart ment of Justice at such times. it may direct. SEC. 310. That when proceedings at law for money duo the Postoffice Department shall be fruitless, the said department of Justice may direct the institution of a suit in chancery in any United States district or Circuit court, to set aside fraudu lent conveyances or trusts, or attach debts due the defendant, or obtain any proper exercise of the powers of equity to have satisfaction of any judg ment against such defendant. Sec. 311. That in case of delinquency of any postmaster, contractor, or other officer, agent, or employee of the Post Office Department, in which suit may be brought, the Auditor for laid Depart— meat shall forward to the Department orJaatiee certified copies of all papers in his' Office tending to sustain the claim.. Sec. 312. That copies of the quarterly returns of postmasters, and of any papers pertaining to the accounts, in the office of the Auditor for the Postoffiee Department, and transcripts from the money order account hooks of said k!ffLce, when certified by the Auditor under the seal ttlikie office, (Concluded on fourth page)
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