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Title: The Postal Service (Fifth Edition)

Editor: Joseph John Edward O'Reilly

Release date: October 30, 2019 [eBook #60597]
Most recently updated: November 13, 2019

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Adrian Mastronardi, John Campbell and The
Philatelic Digital Library Project
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POSTAL SERVICE (FIFTH EDITION) ***

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

A missing word is denoted by the caret ^ .

There is only one footnote in the book, referenced eight times from the list of Carrier Stations on page 193, and it has been placed at the end of that list.

Fractions are shown in the format a-b/c, for example 7-2/25 or 1/4; the original book used the format a b-c.

Some other minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book.

POSTMASTER EDWARD M. MORGAN

The Postal Service

(Fifth Edition)

By J. J. O’REILLY

EDITOR

THE GOVERNMENT WEEKLY

The Chief Publishing Company

5 BEEKMAN STREET

NEW YORK CITY


Copyrighted 1912

By The Chief Publishing Company


FOREWORD


No other branch of the Federal Government furnishes employment to so many men as the postal service, particularly that branch of it in which letter carriers and clerks are used. In every city vacancies occur frequently, by reason of death, resignation or transfer, and the prospects of employment are always good for intelligent young men of studious habits. To secure an appointment in the postal service, as in other fields of labor, one must prove his fitness for the job desired. Uncle Sam requires that this shall be done in an open competitive examination, and usually there are hundreds, in the large cities thousands, competing in the same examinations. Taking New York City as an example, the annual appointments to each position average between 200 to 300, while the eligible lists usually contain 1,000 to 1,500 each. From this it will be seen that only a small percentage stand any show of appointment. Those that do succeed are the men who took pains to prepare themselves for the test by a careful study of the subjects required. The purpose of this book is to help the candidate to “brush up,” to direct him in self-improvement, and point the way by which any person of ordinary intelligence, willing to devote his leisure moments to study, can pass a good examination and get within striking distance on the eligible list.


[Pg 5]

CHAPTER I.

CRADLE DAYS OF THE POSTAL SERVICE.

No Branch of the federal government more strikingly illustrates the wonderful growth and extension of Uncle Sam’s business than the Postal Service. Its history is the history of the commercial and industrial development of the nation, for it has kept abreast, so far as supplying the means of quick and reliable communication is concerned, of the onward march of progress. It ought to be the desire and the aim of every man and woman who purposes to take up the postal service as a life career, to know something of its history, its gradual evolution. Only in this way can they form a just estimate of its relative value in the scheme of government, and without such knowledge they will be merely perfunctory human machines, void of that close personal attachment so necessary to success in any undertaking.

A review of the history of the postal service in America has all the interest and charm of an old romance dealing with the life and customs of a bygone age, particularly when depicted by one whose heart and soul is wrapped up in the service, by one[6] whose career in itself is the best proof of what studious habits, devotion to duty, and loyalty to the department can do for a man in the postal service. That man is Edward M. Morgan, Postmaster of New York City, who, starting as a letter-carrier in 1873, came up through the ranks, grade by grade, until he was entrusted with the management of one of the two largest post offices in the world.

Beginning of the Postal Service.

Mr. Morgan in speaking of the history of the postal service says:

“The post office played but a minor part in the early affairs of New Amsterdam. For many years after the consummation of the greatest real estate deal on record, which secured from the Indians the whole island of Manhattan for twenty-four dollars, most of the slight correspondence that was carried on was forwarded in the care of chance travelers, or mutual friends of the correspondents. Later the necessity of some sort of receiving place was felt and what was known as the “Coffee House Delivery” came into use. Letters were addressed to some popular coffee house or tavern, where, upon receipt, they were “posted” in a conspicuous place in the public room where they remained until by chance or gossip, the persons for whom they were intended learned of their arrival.

[7]

New York’s First Post office.

“That system in time came to be regarded as unsatisfactory, and in 1692, when New York, as it had then come to be called, was still a quiet village of about five thousand inhabitants, the village authorities passed an act or ordinance establishing a post office. This was followed by the founding here, in 1710, of a “Chief Letter Office” by the Postmaster-General of Great Britain, shortly afterwards, arrangements were made for the delivery of mail from Boston twice a month, and propositions were advertised for the establishment of a post to Albany. The interesting feature of that advertisement, to us who are accustomed to the speedy locomotion of to-day, was that the mail was not to be carried by coach, or boat, or even on horseback, but on foot. The records are hazy as to the location of the first official post office in New York City, but according to an advertisement that appeared in a paper of the period, it was removed in 1732 from the quarters it then occupied to “the uppermost of the two houses on Broadway, opposite Beaver Street.” The year 1753 found it still in the same location. It was closed on Sundays, and at other times it was open for business from 8 A. M. until noon, excepting on post nights, when business was transacted until 10 P. M.

[8]

Annual Postal Receipt Less Than $3,000.

“In 1786, during the administration of Sebastian Bauman, the second postmaster after the close of the War of the Revolution, there was a regular schedule for the arrival and dispatch of mails between New York and Albany and New England, and also between New York and the South. Mail from New England and Albany arrived on Wednesday and Saturday in winter, and on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in summer. The income of the office at that time was $2,789.84. Compare that sum and the income for the twelve months ended September 30, 1911, when, for the first time in the history of the New York office, the receipts for any twelve consecutive months passed the twenty million dollar mark, being exactly $20,451,172.53.”

Franklin First Postmaster General.

It is an interesting and singular coincidence, overlooked by some of our historians, that the man to whom most credit is due, probably, for the organization of our national postal service was Benjamin Franklin, who did so much to encourage and promote the use of electricity, the other great medium for transmitting intelligence. Franklin was the first Postmaster[9] General under the Revolutionary organization, before the adoption of the Constitution in 1787. He was chosen because of his earlier experience in postal matters, as postmaster of Philadelphia in 1737, and as Deputy Postmaster General of the British Colonies in 1753. He was removed from the latter office, to punish him for his active sympathies with the colonists. When Independence was declared one of the first acts of his fellow patriots was to place him at the head of the Post Office Department. But the stern necessities of the Revolution called for Franklin’s great abilities to perform services of still greater importance, and Richard Bache, his son-in-law, was chosen to succeed him as Postmaster General, in November, 1776. Mr. Bache was succeeded by Ebenezer Hazard, the compiler of the valuable historical collection bearing that name. He held the office until the adoption of the Constitution and the inauguration of Washington.

Washington chose for his Postmaster General, Samuel Osgood, of the famous New England family. He had been graduated from Harvard College in 1770. He soon became a member of the Massachusetts Legislature, a member of the Board of War, and subsequently an aid to General Ward. In 1779, he was chosen a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, and two years later was elected a member[10] of Congress. After four years in Congress he became first Commissioner of the Treasury. When he left Washington’s cabinet he was made Naval Officer of the Port of New York where he died August 12, 1813.


[11]

CHAPTER II.

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF CANDIDATES.

Clerks and carriers must be citizens of the United States, physically fit for the service and temperate. They must be more than 18 years of age and not more than 45, stand 5 feet 4 inches in height in bare feet and weigh not less than 125 pounds without overcoat and hat. Some applicants who know they are below the weight foolishly try to secrete about their person, beneath the soles of their feet, or in their hair weighty materials to make up the deficiency. Not one in a hundred ever succeeds in fooling the lynx-eyed examiners, but those who try, do succeed in getting themselves blackballed and are debarred from taking examinations in the future. Female applicants are not required to be of any specific height or weight. The age limits are waived in the cases of persons honorably discharged from the military or naval service by reason of disability resulting from wounds received or sickness incurred in the line of duty, but they are waived only for such persons as have been physically disabled in the way mentioned.

[12]

Physical Conditions.

Eye glasses are permitted during the examination, but very serious defective sight is sufficient to cause rejection. As also are defective hearing, or speech; persons blind in one eye; one-armed, one-handed, or one-legged persons, or those having crippled arms or legs, or those suffering from asthma or hernia. Deaf mutes and persons with defective speech may, however, be appointed to the positions of mail clerk, distributor, and directing and forwarding clerk. Applicants also are excluded from examinations for any of the following reasons:

That he is, on the date of the examination, under the minimum or over the maximum age limitation.

That he has any of the following defects: Insanity, tuberculosis, paralysis, epilepsy, blindness, loss of both arms or both legs, loss of arm and leg, badly crippled or deformed hands, arms, feet, or legs, uncompensated calvular disease of the heart, locomotor ataxia, cancer, Bright’s disease, diabetes, or is otherwise physically disqualified for the service which he seeks.

That he is addicted to the habitual use of intoxicating beverages to excess.

That he is enlisted in the United States Army or Navy and has not secured permission for his examination from the Secretary of War or the Secretary of[13] the Navy, respectively. Written permission must be filed with the formal application.

That he has, within approximately one year, passed the same examination for which he again desires to apply. This restriction does not apply to persons who, having taken one annual examination, desire to take the next annual examination, although a full year may not have elapsed.

That he has been dismissed from the Federal service for delinquency or misconduct within one year preceding the date of his application. Whether or not an application will be accepted after the expiration of a year from a person dismissed from the service rests with the Commission, and each case of this character will be considered on its individual merits.

That he has failed after probation to receive absolute appointment to the position for which he again applies within one year from the date of the expiration of his probationary service.

That he has made a false statement in his application, or has been guilty of fraud or deceit in any manner connected with his application or examination, or has been guilty of crime or infamous or notoriously disgraceful conduct.

That he has been discharged for desertion from the military or naval service of the United States under section 1998, Revised Statutes.

[14]

Clerks and Carriers Are Bonded.

Each clerk and carrier when appointed to the service must furnish bonds in the sum of $1,000. In most first and second class cities there are surety companies that make a specialty of supplying such bonds for persons on entering the postal service. The charge, which is paid by the employee, is twenty-five cents per annum for a carrier and fifty cents for a clerk. In addition the carrier must furnish his own uniform and cap, which averages from $15.00 to $20.00 a year. The only other expense imposed upon a clerk is thirty-five cents for his badge, and this is returned to him when he leaves the service and surrenders the badge.


[15]

CHAPTER III.

SALARIES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

The salaries for postal clerk and carrier are the same throughout the Union. Starting in at $600 the first year, the man who is efficient and has a clean record is advanced to $800 at the beginning of the second year; the third year he goes to $900 and so on to the sixth year when he reaches the maximum for this branch of the service, $1,200. But there are opportunities beyond this to clerks of exceptionable ability, and to carriers, too, if they elect to be transferred to the clerical branch, as is evidenced in the brilliant career of Postmaster Morgan of New York, referred to in the opening chapter. Transfers are permitted from carrier to clerk, or visa versa, after three or four years service.

Promotion For Good Clerks.

In cities having sub-stations, clerks are eligible to promotion to assistant superintendent, and then to superintendent, with salaries ranging from $1,300 to $2,500. They may also file applications with the postmaster through their station superintendent for transfer[16] to another branch of the service, such as registry division. No other examination is necessary, the places there, as also on the windows, inquiry department, and on money order windows being given to clerks who show meritorious service. The only promotion examination given is to the money order division, which is not to be confused with positions at money order windows. Besides involving grave responsibilities the clerks in the money order division are subject only to day work and have no night shifts.

Hours of Labor.

Employees in all branches of the federal government are required to work only eight hours a day. The hours, however, may not always be consecutive. Postal clerks, for instance, work usually in three shifts. The hours vary but the following may be taken as an example, allowing one hour for meals:

First shift, 10 A. M., until 7 P. M., second shift, 4 P. M., until 1 A. M.; third shift, 12 midnight until 9 A. M. If clerks are required to work overtime they are given compensatory time or leaves of absence during the week corresponding to the number of hours overtime. This also applies to Sunday work.

Carriers are not allowed to work overtime and when they do “demerits” are registered against them. While[17] a carrier is at the call of the government, so to speak, more hours in a day than is a clerk, his hours of actual duty are the same, eight. They have “swings,” or periods of intermission, between deliveries when their time is their own and they are permitted to go where they please. Regular carriers make deliveries only, and are rarely, if ever, called upon to make collections.

Violations of the rules and inefficiency are punished by a system of “demerits” ranging from 1 to 500 according to the degree of the offense. “Demerits” in any considerable number naturally affect a man’s advancement. Anything less than 500 is usually wiped out at the end of a year and the offender starts again with a clean slate. But if 500 or more is charged up against a man it remains a constant reminder of past shortcomings.

Clerks and carriers who resign from the service may be reinstated within one year, but, unless their absence was due to illness, they lose a grade. In other words, they must work a year for $100 less salary than they received at time of resignation. In case of illness employees must notify the postmaster through their superintendent, without delay. Salaries are paid the 1st and 16th of each month.

[18]

“Subs.”

“Subs,” in the parlance of the postal service, are men taken from the regular eligible lists to act as substitute clerks and letter carriers. In every large office there is always a lot of emergency work due to sickness, or unusual demands. “Sub” clerks work on an average from six to nine months—the duration varies greatly in different offices—before receiving a permanent appointment, while “sub” carriers have to work from three to four years before they get a steady job. The collection of mail from street letter boxes is entrusted to “sub” carriers, regular carriers attending only to the delivery of mail. All “subs” receive thirty cents per hour and their salary averages from $50 to $60 per month.

Carriers’ Moral Responsibility.

Carriers are not allowed to put letters into their own pockets to carry them nor to throw away even the slightest piece of mail, however valueless and unimportant it may appear. He must return to the office everything that is undelivered, and after every trip must bring back his satchel and his key, and make his comprehensive written return in detail of the number and character of the pieces handled by him. Every[19] piece of mail entrusted to him has its particular place and all must be arranged with system and order. He is forbidden under all circumstances to return to any person whatever letters deposited by them in the street mailing boxes from which he makes collections, but if the sender of the letter wishes it back, he must report to the postmaster through the head of his division, and the postmaster has exclusive discretion to return it to the writer.


[20]

CHAPTER IV.

WHERE AND HOW TO OBTAIN APPLICATION.

Examinations for the postal service usually are held in the fall, about the first Wednesday or Saturday in November of each year. Prospective applicants should write to the secretary of the civil service district in which they reside—a list of these will be found in the chapter under that heading—for the exact date and place of the mental test and the time when applications may be had. The blank, a copy of which is given elsewhere in this book, must be carefully and correctly filled and all questions must be answered. This requirement must not be overlooked, as to do so would mean the sending of the application back to the applicant for correction, thus causing loss of valuable time.

All answers must be written in ink, the application in the handwriting of the applicant and the vouchers in the handwriting of the signers. There must be no discrepancy in the name of the applicant in any part of the application or in the vouchers. For New York:[21] Physical examinations take place after the mental examinations, and only when called for appointment.

To make this point clear, applicants must see that all names are signed alike in every part of the application. For instance: John Doe must be John Doe everywhere and not J. Doe in one place and John Doe elsewhere.

Applications or vouchers which are executed or dated more than six months before the date of filing will not be accepted. After the blank is properly executed, it must be filed with the secretary of the local board of examiners. So far as possible file applications personally. If circumstances are such that the application must be mailed, register it and obtain a receipt for same. All applications must be sworn to before a Notary Public.

Whenever extra examinations may become necessary, to meet the needs of the service, due announcement will be made of the dates and places of such examinations, and also of the time allowed for the filing of applications.

A person cannot at the same time be an applicant for or eligible from examination for more than one first-class post office for which examinations ordinarily are held annually in November. This restriction will not apply, however, when an examination is held for[22] any of these offices on a date other than that of the regular annual examination.

A person who passes an examination can not be examined again for the same post office within approximately one year of the date of the examination he has passed. A person who fails in an examination may take the next examination regardless of the time intervening.

A request for a change in the designation of the position desired by an applicant must be made in writing and be received by the district secretary on or before the date set for the close of receipt of applications, otherwise no change will be made.

The postmaster is required to make selection for a vacancy from not more than the highest three names on the appropriate register, and for the next and any additional vacancies from not more than the highest three remaining which have not been within his reach for three separate vacancies. The name of an eligible must have been within reach for three separate vacancies in a position before it may be passed over in making selection for appointment to that position.

When an eligible’s name is borne on both the clerk and the carrier registers and has been three times certified (considered) for one of the two positions, but not selected, his name will not be further certified for that[23] position, but his standing on the register for the other position will not be affected. Neither will declination of appointment when selected for one of the positions affect the eligible’s standing on the register for the other position. Appointment to either position will remove the eligible’s name from the registers for both positions.

An eligible who has been within reach for three separate vacancies in either the position of clerk or of carrier in his turn may subsequently be selected for the position, subject to the approval of the Commission, from the certificate upon which his name last appeared, if the condition of the register has not so changed as to place him in other respects beyond reach of certification.

In the Post Office Service appointments are usually made to the position of substitute clerk or substitute carrier. Substitutes are promoted in the order of their original appointment to the first vacancies occurring in regular positions. Declination of appointment as substitute will remove the name of the eligible from the register from which selection was made, and it will not be restored for consideration in connection with appointment to a regular position only.

Auxiliary employees are paid for actual service at the rate of 30 cents an hour. They are required to work not less than two hours daily, and may serve as[24] substitutes. They are eligible for appointment as clerks and carriers of the first grade.

All promotions of both clerks and carriers will be made at the beginning of the quarter following the expiration of the year’s service in the next lower grade. No promotion will be made except upon evidence satisfactory to the Post Office Department of the efficiency and faithfulness of the employee during the preceding year. When a clerk or carrier fails of promotion because of unsatisfactory service, he may be promoted at the beginning of the second quarter thereafter, or of any subsequent quarter, upon evidence that his record has been satisfactory during the intervening period. Clerks and carriers of the highest grade are eligible for promotion to the higher positions in their respective offices.

Any male clerk in an office in which both clerks and city carriers are employed, is eligible for transfer to the position of city carrier, and any city carrier is eligible for transfer to the position of clerk. Male clerks and city carriers are also eligible for transfer to the position of rural carrier.


[25]

CHAPTER V.

OFFICES IN NEW YORK STATE.

Examinations for the first-class offices named below will be held on the first Wednesday or Saturday in November of each year, if the needs of the service so require. City delivery service has been established at these offices, and their force includes both clerks and city carriers.

Albany, N. Y.Newark, N. J.
Binghamton, N. Y.New York, N. Y.
Brooklyn, N. Y.Rochester, N. Y.
Buffalo, N. Y.Syracuse, N. Y.
Elmira, N. Y.Troy, N. Y.
Jersey City, N. J.Utica, N. Y.

Blank forms of application for the November examinations may be obtained from the local secretary at the office where employment is desired, or from the secretary of the Second Civil Service District, custom house, New York City, between July 1 and October 1. Applications must be properly executed and filed with the district secretary at New York City between July 1 and the close of business on October 1.

[26]

For the following named offices the names of male eligibles are entered on only one register—namely, the “clerk” or the “carrier” register—and male applicants for these offices must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of “clerk” or of “carrier:”

Albany, N. Y.Long Island City, N. Y.
Auburn, N. Y.Newark, N. J.
Binghamton, N. Y.New York, N. Y.
Brooklyn, N. Y.Orange, N. J.
Buffalo, N. Y.Passaic, N. J.
East Orange, N. J.Paterson, N. J.
Elizabeth, N. J.Rochester, N. Y.
Elmira, N. Y.Schenectady, N. Y.
Flushing, N. Y.Syracuse, N. Y.
Hoboken, N. J.Troy, N. Y.
Jamaica, N. Y.Utica, N. Y.
Jersey City, N. J.Yonkers, N. Y.

Examinations for the first and second-class offices in the following list will be held only when eligibles are needed, due announcement of which will be made, and application blanks will not be given out until the examinations are announced. City delivery service has been established at these offices, and their force includes both clerks and city carriers. Names of first-class offices are in black face type.

[27]

Albion, N. Y.East Orange, N. J.
Amsterdam, N. Y.Elizabeth, N. J.
Auburn, N. Y.Ellenville, N. Y.
Baldwinsville, N. Y.Englewood, N. J
Ballston Spa, N. Y.Far Rockaway, N. J.
Batavia, N. Y.Fishkill-on-Hudson, N. Y.
Bath, N. Y.Flushing, N. Y.
Bayonne, N. J.Fort Plain, N. Y.
Bloomfield N. J.Fredonia, N. Y.
Boonton, N. J.Freport, N. Y.
Brockport, N. Y.Fulton, N. Y.
Canapoharie, N. Y.Geneva, N. Y.
Canandaigua, N. Y.Glens Falls, N. Y.
Canastota, N. Y.Gloversville, N. Y.
Canton, N. Y.Goshen, N. Y.
Carthage, N. Y.Gouverneur, N. Y.
Catskill, N. Y.Hackensack, N. J.
Cohoes, N. Y.Haverstraw, N. Y.
Cooperstown, N. Y.Hempstead, N. Y.
Corning, N. Y.Herkimer, N. Y.
Cortlandt, N. Y.Hoboken, N. J.
Cranford, N. J.Hoosick Falls, N. Y.
Dansville, N. Y.Hornell, N. Y.
Deposit, N. Y.Hudson, N. Y.
Dover, N. J.Hudson Falls, N. Y.
Dunkirk, N. Y.Ilion, N. Y.
East Aurora, N. Y.Irvington, N. Y.

[28]

Ithaca, N. Y.Niagara Falls, N. Y.
Jamaica, N. Y.Northport, N. Y.
Jamestown, N. Y.North Tonowanda, N. Y.
Johnstown, N. Y.Norwich, N. Y.
Kingston, N. Y.Nyack, N. Y.
LeRoy, N. Y.Ogdensburg, N. Y.
Lestershire, N. Y.Olean, N. Y.
Liberty, N. Y.Oneida, N. Y.
Little Falls, N. Y.Oneonta, N. Y.
Lockport, N. Y.Orange, N. J.
Long Island City, N. Y.Ossining, N. Y.
Lowville, N. Y.Oswego, N. Y.
Lyons, N. Y.Owego, N. Y.
Madison, N. J.Palmyra, N. Y.
Malone, N. Y.Passaic, N. J.
Mamaroneck, N. Y.Patchogue, N. Y.
Mechanicsville, N. Y.Paterson, N. J.
Medina, N. Y.Peekskill, N. Y.
Middletown, N. Y.Penn Yan, N. Y.
Montclair, N. J.Plainfield, N. J.
Morristown, N. J.Plattsburg, N. Y.
Mount Vernon, N. Y.Port Chester, N. Y.
Newark, N. Y.Port Jervis, N. Y.
New Brighton, N. Y.Port Richmond, N. Y.
Newbury, N. Y.Potsdam, N. Y.
New Rochelle, N. Y.Poughskeepsie, N. Y.
Newton, N. J.Rahway, N. J.

[29]

Rensselaer, N. Y.Tompkinsville, N. Y.
Ridgewood, N. J.Tonawanda, N. Y.
Rockville Center, N. Y.Walden, N. Y.
Rome, N. Y.Walton, N. Y.
Rosebank, N. Y.Watertown, N. Y.
Rutherford, N. J.Watervliet, N. Y.
Salamanca, N. Y.Watkins, N. Y.
Saranac Lake, N. Y.Waverly, N. Y.
Saratoga Springs, N. Y.Weehawken, N. J.
Saugerties, N. Y.Wellsville, N. J.
Schenectady, N. Y.Westfield, N. J.
Seneca Falls, N. Y.Westfield, N. Y.
Silver Creek, N. Y.West Hoboken, N. J.
South Orange, N. J.West New Brighton, N. Y.
Stapleton, N. Y.White Plains, N. Y.
Summit, N. J.Yonkers, N. Y.
Tarrytown, N. Y.

Candidates for New York City and vicinity will find a Notary Public and a staff of Civil Service experts at the office of THE CHIEF during business hours, who will enlighten the candidates on any doubtful point.


[30]

CHAPTER VI.

QUESTIONS TO BE FILLED OUT IN APPLICATION.

1. (a) For what positions do you wish to be examined?

(b) For what Service (Postal or Customs) do you wish to be examined?

(c) In what city or town do you desire employment?

2. What is your name in full? Give your first name in full, your middle initial, or initials, if any, and your surname in full.

3. Are you a citizen of the United States? Answer must be “Yes” or “No.” If a naturalized citizen, your certificate of naturalization, or the certificate of naturalization of one of your parents (if such parent was naturalized while you were a minor), with sworn statements, on Form 44, of two disinterested citizens as to the reputed relationship, must be forwarded with the application. The certificate will be returned to you.

4. (a) Where were you born?

(b) What was the month, day and year of your birth?

[31]

(c) What was your age on your last birthday?

5. Name the kind of school in which you were educated. Viz: Common school, high school, business college, academy, college, etc. If educated in high school, academy, college, university, etc., give the name and location of the school, and state how long you attended, and whether you were graduated.

6. How long did you attend school, and at what age did you leave school?

7. Are you or have you been married? Answer “Yes” or “No.” If applicant is a married woman, the full name, post office address and legal residence of her husband are required. A married woman, not divorced, but living apart from her husband, should state the facts, if any, entitling her to separate residence.

8. Are any members of your family, or any of your relatives, in the service of the Government? Answer “Yes” or “No.” If so, state their names, in what position, in what branch of the service, and the relationship. This does not apply to state or municipal service.

9. Have you ever been convicted of, or indicted for, any crime. Answer “Yes” or “No.” If so, inclose herewith an abstract from the court proceedings to show the essential action taken, and also furnish a statement from the trial judge or other court officer[32] showing the surrounding circumstances and your reputation for honesty and integrity.

10. (a) Do you habitually or at times use intoxicating liquors, tobacco, morphine, or opium to excess?

(b) If so, which?

(c) Have you ever used intoxicating liquors, tobacco, morphine, or opium to excess?

(d) If so which?

11. (a) Have you any defect of sight in either eye?

(b) Have you any defect of speech?

(c) Have you any defect of limb?

(d) Have you any defect of hearing?

12. What is your height, measured in your bare feet?

13. What is your weight in your ordinary clothing, without overcoat or cloak?

14. Have you been examined for any branch of the classified service within twelve months next preceding the date of application? If so, state for what branches, for what positions, the date, and results. The different branches of the service are: Postoffice, Customs, Internal Revenue, Departmental, and Government Printing?

15. (a) Have you ever been barred from examination by this Commission? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

(b) If so, state when and for what reason.

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(c) Give the date, place, and kind of examination for which you applied and in connection with which you were barred.

16. (a) Have you any other application on file for any branch of the classified service? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

(b) If so, what branch and for what position?

(c) Is your name now on any register for appointment in any branch of the classified service? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

(d) If so, for what branch, in what city, and for what position? This does not apply to state or municipal service.

17. Are you now in the Government Civil Service? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

18. (a) Were you ever separated from the Government Civil Service? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

(b) If so, state when, from what position, what city, and branch of service, and whether you resigned or were discharged. Avoid any allusion to politics or to change of administration.

19. (a) Are you now in the Military or Naval Service of the United States? Answer “Yes” or “No.” Do not give service in the National Guard.

(b) Were you ever honorably discharged from the Military or Naval Service of the United States on account of disability resulting from wounds received or[34] sickness incurred in the line of duty? If so, give the name of the vessel on which, or the company and regiment in which you served, with the dates of your enlistment and discharge.

(c) Give the exact name under which you enlisted and were discharged.

20. (a) What is your present place of abode.

(b) What is your present occupation, business, employment, or position.

(c) What was your place of abode (city or town, and State) during last year?

(d) What was your occupation, business, employment, or position during that year?

(e) What was your place of abode (city or town, and State) during the year preceding last year?

(f) What was your occupation, business, employment, or position during that year?

(g) What was your place of abode (city or town, and State) during the second year preceding last year?

(h) What was your occupation, business, employment, or position during that year?

21. Give the names and addresses of five persons, other than vouchers, to whom reference can be made as to your character and qualifications. One of these must reside in, or be engaged in business in the city or town in which you seek employment.

[35]

22. Have you been employed in any State or Municipal Service? Answer “Yes” or “No.” If so, when, where, and in what positions?

23. (a) Were you ever discharged on account of delinquency or misconduct from any position in which you were employed? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

(b) If so, state when, from what position, and by whom were you discharged.

24. Are each and all of the answers to the foregoing questions in your own handwriting? Answer “Yes” or “No.”

I hereby certify that the answers to the foregoing questions are true in every particular.

(Signature of Applicant) ............
(P. O. address) ..............

(The following oath must be taken before a Notary Public, or other officer authorized to administer oaths for general purposes, and the officer’s signature must be authenticated by official seal. If the oath be taken before a Justice of the Peace or other officer who has no official seal, his character must be certified by the Clerk of Court, Secretary of State, or other proper officer, under official seal.)

The Notary is requested to see that all the foregoing questions are answered in full before executing the jurat.

[36]

Sworn to and subscribed before me by the above-mentioned applicant, to me personally known, this ...... day of ................ 190..., at ........... county of ............................ and State (or Territory or District) ........................

(Signature of officer) ...................

(Official impressed seal.) (Official title) .........

The official seal must not be omitted.

Every applicant for examination must furnish the vouchers of two citizens of the United States, each of whom must be at least twenty-one years of age, and must have known the applicant for six months or more. Vouchers will not be accepted from the father, mother, sister, brother, husband, wife or child of the applicant, and not more than one voucher will be accepted from relatives of more remote degree.

No recommendations other than those provided for hereon will be accepted by the Commission.

Vouchers.

The following is a sample of the two vouchers; all answers made by vouchers must be in their own handwriting.

1. What is your own age? Age of voucher, not applicant, is wanted. If you so prefer, the statement that you are over 21 years of age is sufficient.

[37]

2. What is your occupation?

3. What is your business address in full?

4. What is your actual bona fide (legal) residence? City and State?

5. How long have you been such resident thereof?

6. How long have you been acquainted with the applicant?

7. Is the applicant addicted to the use of intoxicating beverages, tobacco, morphine, or opium? If so, to which?

8. Has the applicant ever been addicted to the use of intoxicating beverages, tobacco, morphine, or opium? If so, to which?

9. Is the applicant a person of good moral character, and of good repute?

10. Are you related to the applicant? If so, what is the relationship?

11. Are you aware of any circumstances tending to disqualify the applicant for the public service?

12. Would you yourself trust the applicant with employment requiring undoubted honesty?

13. What is the name of the applicant for whom you furnish this certificate? First name, middle initial, or initials, if there be any, and last name, should be correctly given.

The above questions are answered to the best of my knowledge and belief.

[38]

(Signature of voucher) ......................

(P. O. address) .........................

Date, ............... 190  .

  (Applicant will NOT fill the following blank.)

Final certificate of naturalization of ............. issued by the ............. Court of .............. on ............ I ............., was filed with this application by the applicant, and was found by me to be in due form in all respects. The certificate was returned to the applicant on ....... ........., 190....

(Initials) .................


[39]

CHAPTER VII.

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

All applicants for the Postal Service must have this certificate executed.

Questions 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and the parenthetical part of question 13, are not required in the case of female applicants.

This certificate need not be executed for examinations at second and third class post offices. When the result of examinations at such offices is determined, the highest four eligibles will be required to furnish the certificate.

Applicants for the Postal Service (male and female) who are defective in any of the following-named particulars will not be appointed by that Department: Deaf-mutes, hunchbacks, persons having defective hearing, sight, or speech; persons totally blind or blind in one eye; one-armed, one-handed, or one-legged persons, or those having crippled arms or legs, and those suffering from asthma, consumption, or hernia. The applications of such persons will, therefore, not be accepted.

[40]

1. What is the applicant’s exact height in his bare feet? (The physician must himself measure and weigh the applicant.)

2. What is the applicant’s exact weight in his ordinary clothing, without overcoat or hat?

3. Did you yourself weigh and measure the applicant?

4. What is the condition of the applicant’s sight? (If possible, the test should be made with Snelen’s cards, and expressed in twentieths.)

If the applicant has any defect of sight in either eye, describe fully.

Is the defect in sight corrected by the use of glasses?

5. What is the condition of the applicant’s hearing? (State the distance, in feet, at which he can hear the ticking of a closed watch held in the open hand, testing each ear with the other plugged.)

If he has any defect of hearing of either ear describe fully.

6. What is the condition of the applicant’s speech? If he has any defect of speech describe fully.

7. What is the condition of the applicant’s limbs?

If he has any defect in either arm or in either leg describe fully, and state to what extent it interferes with the proper function of the limb.

(Varicose veins, ulcers, or any deformity should be specially reported.)

[41]

8. Has the applicant any rupture?

9. Has the applicant varicocele, hydrocele, internal or external piles, fistula in ano, or any cutaneous disease?

If so, describe the disease, and state to what extent the applicant is afflicted.

10. Has the applicant any defect in the functions of the brain or nervous system?

If so, describe the disease, and state to what extent the applicant is affected.

Has the applicant ever had an epileptic fit?

Is he subject to these attacks?

11. Give the measurements of the applicant’s chest:

At rest.

At full inspiration.

At full expiration.

12. Is the applicant’s respiration full, free, and unobstructed in both lungs?

If not, state to what extent obstructed.

13. State the frequency of the action of the applicant’s heart:

When sitting.

When standing.

When standing after brief exercise. (The applicant should be required to hop on one foot the distance of about 12 feet.)

[42]

14. Are there indications in the heart’s action of organic, muscular, or nervous derangement?

If so, describe fully.

15. Are there indications that the applicant is addicted to the excessive use of intoxicating beverages, tobacco, or narcotics in any form.

If so, describe fully.

16. Has the applicant any form of disease or disability which is likely to unfit him for the performance of the work of the position for which he applies?

17. State whether the applicant is capable of prolonged, severe, mental and physical exertion, and equal to the demands of a very exhausting occupation.

18. Are you a regularly licensed physician, and duly authorized by the laws of your State to practice medicine?

19. Of what medical institution are you a graduate?

This space is to be filled out by the applicant in his own handwriting, in the presence of the physician.

(Signature of applicant) ................

I certify that I have made a thorough examination of the above-named applicant, that each and all of the above answers are in my own handwriting and are true, and that the applicant wrote his signature just above in my presence.

(Signature of physician) ....................

(P. O. address of physician) ................

Date, ............., 190..


[43]

CHAPTER VIII.

THE EDUCATIONAL TEST.

Subjects and Weights and Specimens of Previous
Questions Asked.

Examinations for the Postal Service are of the second grade. Any person with a common school education should have no trouble in passing them. The average candidate, however, has been some years out of school and is very apt to be what we call “rusty.” In other words, to have forgotten much that he was taught at school concerning the subjects required. The wise thing for him to do, when he has made up his mind to take the examination, no matter whether the date of it is one month or six months away, the longer the better, is to improve his knowledge of each subject as much and as far as is possible. He must not content himself with just getting on the list, many of which are cancelled while yet there remain many names not reached for appointment, but do his utmost to win the highest possible rating.

The government service to-day, particularly the postal branch, is no place for indifferent, sluggish, or inefficient men. Though 70 per cent. is the passing[44] mark to obtain a place on the list, it is a poor recommendation of a man’s intelligence and efficiency, or of his possible growth in these attainments. And really there is no excuse for a man who can read and write getting so low a percentage. It shows, more or less convincingly, that he was not diligent, that there was little or no earnestness in his purpose, and the average postmaster will not be over-eager to find a place for him.

The questions in each subject are simple, and any man of ordinary education can, unaided by outside instructors, fit himself to obtain 90 per cent. with ease. A few simple text books, and steady, pains-taking study during leisure hours are all that are necessary. A postal card to THE CHIEF will promptly bring to you a list of books covering each subject, each book prepared by an expert on civil service.

Applicants are notified of the date and place of an examination at least two weeks in advance of the time set.

Subjects of Examination.

The table given below indicates the subjects of the examination and the weights given to each:

Weights.
1. Spelling15
[45] 2. Arithmetic20
3. Letter Writing20
4. Penmanship20
5. Copying from plain copy15
6. Reading Addresses10
—–
Total100

The following are specimen questions given at a previous examination.

First Subject—Spelling.

Twenty words are dictated by the examiner. Each word is pronounced and its definition given. The competitor is required to write only the words and not their definitions, and to write them in the blank spaces on the first sheet of the examination paper. All words should be commenced with capital letters.

Opponent: One who opposes; as, a political opponent.

President: The Chief Executive of the United States.

Conqueror: One who conquers.

Wholesome: Healthful; as, wholesome food.

Achieve: To gain; as, to achieve success.

Tranquil: Quiet or peaceful.

Detach: To separate or remove; as, to detach a leaf from a book.

[46]

Expensive: Very costly.

Decease: Death; as, a person’s decease.

Noticeable: Worthy of notice; as, a noticeable occasion.

Suspicious: Exciting suspicion; as, a suspicious circumstance.

Terrace: A raised bank of earth.

Rapping: Making a number of quick blows.

Language: The speech of a people; as, the English language.

Schedule: A list or inventory; as, a schedule of prices.

Tying: Binding or fastening with a cord.

Vulgar: Low or mean.

Course: A way or track; as, a race course.

Salary: A stated allowance paid for services.

Chicago: A city in the United States.

Second Subject—Arithmetic.

In solving problems the processes should be not merely indicated, but all the figures necessary in solving each problem should be given in full. The answer to each problem should be indicated by writing “Ans.” after it.

[47]

1. Add the following, and from the sum subtract 32,885,696 (here will be given a short column of figures).

2. Multiply 7-2/25ths by 36.8, and divide the product by 1.92. Solve by decimals.

3. A carrier can assort 43 letters or 37 papers in a minute. At this rate, how many hours will it take him to assort 3,655 letters and 185 pounds of papers, averaging 7 papers to the pound?

4. A lot which was 53 feet wide and 150 feet long sold for $8,347.50, which was one-fourth more than it cost. What was the cost per square foot?

5. In a certain mail there are 294 pounds 14 ounces of newspapers weighing at the rate of 3 papers to every 7 ounces. How many papers are there in the mail? 16 ounces equals one pound.

Problems In Earlier Examinations.

If a railroad car runs 41-1/2 miles per hour, how far would it go in 12 days running 10-1/2 hours per day?

If paper is worth 40 cents per pound, what is the cost of one sheet of paper weighing six pounds to the ream? (480 sheets equals one ream.)

An office uses 98 pounds of twine per year in tying packages. Allowing 178 yards to the pound, how many[48] packages are tied if each requires an average of 1-1/2 feet?

Multiply 696.6 by 785.09 and divide the product by 25.

A carrier makes 4 trips a day, carrying 64 letters and 32 papers each trip. The letters average in weight 1/4 oz. each, and the papers 2 oz. each. How many pounds of mail does he deliver in a day? (16 oz. to the pound.)

Multiply 26.32 by 3, and to the product add 2.04.

Three gross of lead pencils are divided equally among the clerks in a post office, giving to each clerk eleven and leaving a remainder of fourteen pencils. How many clerks are there in the office.

Third Subject—Letter Writing.

The competitor is given his choice of one of two subjects on which to write a letter of not less than 125 words. One year the subjects were on the advantages of city and of country life. At another time the candidates were required to tell what they thought of our colonial expansion in Porto Rico and the Philippines. In a recent test one of the subjects was “Give your views as to the advantages derived from free public libraries in the principal cities of your State.” The object of this exercise is to test the candidate’s skill in writing an intelligent letter. Errors in form and[49] address, in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, syntax and style, count against the competitor. The rules for rating will be found under a separate chapter.

Fourth Subject—Penmanship.

The rating on penmanship will be determined by legibility, rapidity, neatness, and general appearance and by correctness and uniformity in the formation of words, letters, and punctuation marks in the exercise of the subject of copying from plain copy. No particular style of penmanship is preferred.

Fifth Subject—Copying From Plain Copy.

Candidates are required to make an exact copy of a piece of composition. All omissions and mistakes, change of paragraphs, spelling, capitals and punctuation, count against the competitor. The following was given in a previous examination:

No recommendation of an applicant, competitor, or eligible involving any disclosure of his political or religious opinions or affiliations shall be received, filed or considered by the Commission, by any board of examiners, or by any nominating or appointing officer. In making removals or reductions or in imposing punishment for delinquency or misconduct, penalties like[50] in character shall be imposed for like offenses, and action thereupon shall be taken irrespective of the political or religious opinions or affiliations of the offenders. A person holding a position on the date said position is classified under the civil service act shall be entitled to all the rights and benefits possessed by persons of the same class or grade appointed upon examination under the provisions of said act.

Sixth Subject—Reading Addresses.

This exercise consists of the reading of a number of written addresses, which are photolithographed on one sheet. A second sheet is furnished, which contains the same addresses, these addresses being printed and containing errors of omission, substitution or insertion. The competitor is required to indicate the errors in each printed address by underscoring with a pencil thus, ____, any portion of a printed address which is not a correct copy of the written address, and by a caret, thus ^, any omitted words, figures or initials. Words abbreviated in the written address, but printed in full in the printed address, are regarded as correct, if the correct words are printed. Differences in punctuating or capitalization are not regarded as[51] errors. The time allowed will be limited, and the rating will be determined on accuracy only.

The following are illustrations of the method which should be pursued in indicating errors.

WRITTEN ADDRESS—CORRECT

PRINTED ADDRESS—WITH ERRORS NOTED

Theodore M. Martin, Foreman ^ Water Works,
High Road, Grand Forks, North Dakota.

WRITTEN ADDRESS—CORRECT

PRINTED ADDRESS—WITH ERRORS NOTED.

Major ^ A. T. Chandler,
Fort Thompson, Alden County, Alabama.

[52]

CHAPTER IX.

COURSES OF INSTRUCTION.

Studies in Each of the Subjects on Which
Examinations Are Based.

The following lessons are based on previous examinations. The subjects are somewhat broad in scope in order to carry the student over every possible contingency. Careful study will enable the competitor to meet all the requirements.

Spelling.

Confederacy,Vogue,
Deity,Squirrel, a small animal.
Chirography,Pippin,
Worthy,Yoke, a connecting frame
Paltry,for draft cattle.
Electioneer,Aspirant, one who seeks
Anvil,earnestly; a candidate.
Rumor,Terminus,
Gravity,Brutal,
Ancient,Cholera,
Chiropody,Glimmer,

[53]

Chirp,Delightful,
Ere,Inaugurate,
Intuition,Freight,
Niche,Earnest,
Granary,Quadrille,
Copartner,Lullaby,
Autocrat,Usury,
Inconstancy,Audacious,
Officiate,Though,
Delicacy,Equitable,
Ninetieth,Bivouac,
Credulous,Integrity,
Fiftieth,Asthma,
Tincture,Maniac,
Wigwam,Dissolve,
Eyelet,Admittance,
Tyranny,Occupy,
Undulate,Constituency,
Committee,Irritable,
Conservatory,Advertisement,
Literary,Halibut,
Legislature,Strength,
Anomalous,Melodious,
Desirous,Wheelbarrow,
Radiant,Curtain,
Jamb,Senate,
Chilblain,Superscribe,

[54]

Convertible,Familiar,
Adversary,Mammoth,
Illuminate,Drawee,
Circuit,Motor,
Remnant,Presumption,
Stencil,Monosyllable,
Degradation,Apprentice,
Claret,Alcohol,
Ludicrous,Charity,
Idea,Plantain,
Saucy,Stampede,
Recollect,Demonstrate,
Cupola,Longitude.

ARITHMETIC.

Lessons in Decimals.

The paper on arithmetic in second grade examinations usually contains one, sometimes two, problems in common or decimal fractions. These are no more difficult to solve when one understands the rules governing them, than any simple test in addition, division, etc. In whole numbers, as 57, 563, 4278, the various units increase on a scale of ten to the left (or decrease on the same scale of ten to the right). Thus in the last number we say 8 units, 7 tens, 2 hundreds,[55] and 4 thousands or four thousand two hundred seventy-eight.

Decimals also decrease on a scale of ten to the right (or increase on the same scale of ten to the left). In writing decimals, we first write the decimal point, which is the same mark we use at the close of a sentence and is called a period. Then the first figure to the right is called “tenths” and is written thus .6, meaning six tenths. The second figure stands for hundredths as .06, six hundredths; .006 for six thousandths; .0006 for six ten-thousandths; .00006 for six hundred-thousandths; .000006 for six millionths, etc. When a whole number, previously mentioned, and decimals are written together as 47.328, it is called a mixed number.

The only distinction between reading whole numbers and decimals is made by adding this to the ending of decimals, and the denomination of the right-hand figure must be expressed to give the proper value to decimal parts. For instance, .12, is twelve hundredths; .007, is seven thousandths; .062, is sixty-two thousandths; .201, is two hundred one thousandths; .5562, is five thousand five hundred sixty-two ten-thousandths; .24371, is twenty-four thousand three hundred seventy-one hundred-thousandths; .893254, is eight hundred ninety-three thousand two hundred fifty-four millionths, etc. Remember that in decimals the[56] first figure stands for, tenths; the second, hundredths; the third, thousandths; the fourth, ten-thousandths; the fifth, hundred-thousandths; the sixth, millionths, and that in reading decimals we add the denomination of the right-hand figure. When reading a mixed number the word “and” is used, and then only, to indicate the decimal point. Thus 45.304 should be read forty-five AND three hundred four thousandths.

Addition and subtraction of decimals differ from similar operations of whole numbers only in the placing of the figures. In whole numbers units come under units, tens under tens, etc. To illustrate:

What is the sum of 260, 4398, 305, 2, 29?

The figures are placed thus:

   260
4,398
   305
       2
     29
———
4,994

[57]

Now let us take the same figures expressed decimally: .260, .4398, .305, .2, .29.

  .260
  .4398
  .305
  .2
  .29
———
1.4948

In subtraction of whole numbers or decimals the figures are placed as in addition.

Examples—Subtract .204 from .4723.

.4723
.204
——–
.2683

Subtract 5.346 from .937.

5.346
  .937
——–
4.409

Subtract .753 from 18. (Note that the point or period is placed to the left of “753” indicating decimals, but in connection with the number “18,” a dot is placed to the right as a mark of punctuation merely, thus showing that “18” is a whole number.)

[58]

Now from the whole number “18,” which is the minuend because it is the number to be subtracted from, we are to subtract .753, and it is done in this way:

Minuend18.000
Subtrahend    .753
———
17.247

The three ciphers are added to the minuend to correspond to the decimal places in the subtrahend. It is not necessary to put the ciphers down, but beginners are apt to get confused if there is nothing there to correspond to the decimals below. Annex as many ciphers to the minuend as there are decimals in the subtrahend, and place in the remainder a decimal point under those of the numbers subtracted.

Multiplication of decimals differs somewhat from the previous operations mentioned for the reason that we do not necessarily place the decimal points directly under each other. The right-hand figure of the multiplier usually goes under the right-hand figure of the multiplicand and the problem is then worked out as in multiplying whole numbers. When the product is obtained we point off as many decimal places in it as there are in both the multiplier and the multiplicand.

Let us take as an example: Multiply 2.648 by 2.35

[59]

Multiplicand    2.648
Multiplier      2.35
———–
   13240
   7944
 5296
———–
Product6.22280

It will be seen that there are three decimals in the multiplicand and 2 decimals in the multiplier, hence we point off five decimals in the product.

In the operation of division of decimals the decimal point is not considered until the result is obtained. If the number of decimal places in the dividend is less than the number of decimal places in the divisor ciphers must be annexed or added to make up the deficiency, and the decimal point is then suppressed, thus reducing the operation to the division of two whole numbers. If there is no remainder, the quotient is a whole number, if there is a remainder, add a cipher to the right of it and place a decimal point to the right of the quotient obtained, then continue the division as far as desirable by adding ciphers to the right of the successive remainders, for each of which a new decimal will be obtained in the quotient.

Divide 460 by .5.

[60]

.5) 460 (92
45
10
10
0

Fractions are reduced to decimals by annexing ciphers to the numerator and then dividing by the denominator.

For instance—5/8 equals what decimal?

8) 5.000 (.625 = 5/8
4 8
.20
 16
 —
.40
 40

Lessons by Prof. Jean P. Genthon, C.E., Member Society of Municipal Engineers and Author of “The Assistant Engineer,” “The Chief’s” Text Book on Civil Engineering.

In solving problems the process should be not merely indicated, but all the figures necessary in solving each[61] problem should be given in full. The answers to each problem should be indicated by writing “Ans.” after it.

Arithmetic is the science of numbers.

A Number is the result of the comparison (also called measurement) of a magnitude or quantity with another magnitude or quantity of the same kind supposed to be known.

A Concrete Number is one the nature of the unit of which is known.

Denominate Number.—A concrete number the standard of which is fixed by law or established by long usage.

An Abstract Number is one of which the nature of the unit is unknown.

How to Read Numbers.—The right way to read 101,274, etc., is one hundred one, two hundred seventy-four, etc.

The Decimal Point.—A period, called decimal point, is placed in a mixed number between the integral part and the decimal portion which follows. It should never be omitted.

Roman Numbers.—I stands for 1, V for 5, X for 10, L for 50, C for 100, D for 500 and M for 1,000.

Abbreviations.—A smaller unit, written to the left of a greater one, is subtracted from the latter, as: IV = 4[62] (IV is marked IIII on clock and watch dials); IX = 9; XC = 90; CD = 400, etc. Sometimes a Roman number is surmounted by a dash or vinculum; it then expresses thousands, as IX = 9,000.

Addition.

Addition.—Operation which consists in taking in any order all the units and portions of units of several numbers and forming with them a single number called their Sum or Total.

Addition of Long Columns of Numbers.—When long columns of numbers are to be added, the student should endeavor to add more than one figure at a time. He may pick those which aggregate 10, 15, 20, etc., and add the intermediate figures when convenient.

Sign of Addition.—The sign of addition is the horizontal-vertical or Roman cross + placed between all the numbers to be added; it is read Plus.

To Prove an Addition.—The shortest way to prove an addition is to do it over again from bottom to top.

Sign of Equality.—The sign of equality is two short equal horizontal parallels =; it reads Equal.

Subtraction.

Subtraction.—An operation which consists in taking from a number called minuend (m) all the units and parts of units contained in another number called subtrahend (s).[63] The result is called the difference (d) of the two numbers or the remainder of their subtraction.

Sign of Subtraction.—The sign of subtraction is a horizontal dash - placed between the minuend, written first, and the subtrahend. Thus: 84 - 38 = d; 84 - 38 = 46. Generally m - s = d.

To Prove a Subtraction.—Add from bottom to top the difference and the subtrahend; the sum must equal the minuend.

Multiplication.

Multiplication.—An operation which consists in repeating a number called multiplicand (M) as many times as there are units in another column called multiplier (m); the result is called the product (p) of the numbers, and the numbers themselves are called factors of the product. This definition may be extended to the case where the factors are not whole numbers.

Sign of Multiplication.—The sign of multiplication is the oblique or St. Andrew’s cross ×, called multiplied by, and placed between the factors written one after the other.

Thus: 35 × 7 = p; 35 × 7 = 245. Generally M × m = p.

To Prove a Multiplication.—Multiplication may be proved by a second multiplication in which the factors are inverted.

[64]

This is the surest but the longest method.

Another Proof of the Multiplication.—Find the residue of the multiplicand and multiplier. Multiply them and find the residue of their product; this is equal to the residue of the product of the multiplication.

64327  4Residue of the multiplicand.
781  7Residue of the multiplier.
————
281   Residue of the product of the residues
64327
  514616
450289
————
502393871   Residue of the product of multiplication.

Proof Not Absolute.—Practically a proof is not absolute, because an error may be committed in its use, and also it may not work well in all cases.

Power of a Number.—When the factors of a product are equal, the product is called a power of the factor.

Square of a Number.—A power is a square when it is the product of two (2) equal factors, as 7 × 7 = 49, in which 49 is the square of 7. The term square is derived from the fact that the area of a square is obtained by multiplying the length of its side by itself, or taking it twice as a factor.

Cube of a Number.—A power is a cube when it is[65] the product of three (3) equal factors, as 5 × 5 × 5 = 125, in which 125 is the cube of 5.

The term cube is derived from the fact that the volume of a cube is obtained by multiplying the length of its side by itself and again by itself, or by taking it three times as a factor.

A product, for instance, of 4, 9, etc., equal factors would be called the 4th or the 9th, etc., power of that number.

Division.

Division.—An operation by means of which we find one of two factors of a product when that product and the other factor are given. The given product is called Dividend (D) of the division; the known factor is called the Divisor (d), and the unknown factor which is sought is called Quotient (q). We know that a quotient is seldom exact and that there is generally a Remainder (r) or Residue.

Sign of Division.—The sign of division is a small dash with a point above and one below ÷; it is read divided by, is placed after the dividend, and is followed by the divisor. For instance, to indicate the division of 72 by 8, which we know gives the quotient 9, we write 72 ÷ 8 = 9; generally D ÷ d = q.

Other Sign of Division.—In the study of fractions[66] it is shown that a fraction expresses the quotient of its numerator by its denominator, so that the preceding identity may be written 72 8 = 9, or more generally D d = q, and another sign of division is a horizontal line separating the dividend written above it from the divisor written below it.

Proof of the Division.—We prove a division by multiplying the divisor by the quotient and adding the remainder, if there is any; the result thus obtained must equal the dividend. When there is a remainder, the formula of division is D = dq + r.

By 2.—A number is divisible by 2 when it is an even number, that is to say when it ends with 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8, as 70,836.

By 3.—A number is divisible by 3 when its residue is zero or is divisible by 3.

By 4.—A number is divisible by 4 when the number formed by the last two figures to the right is divisible by 4; 7528 is divisible by 4 because 28 is divisible by 4.

By 5.—A number is divisible by 5 when it ends with 0 or 5, as 75,270.

By 6.—A number is divisible by 6 when it is divisible by 2 and 3, as 474, because when a number is divisible by several others it is divisible by their product.

By 8.—A number is divisible by 8 when the number formed by the last three figures to the right is divisible[67] by 8; 37104 is divisible by 8 because 104 is divisible by 8.

By 9.—A number is divisible by 9 when its residue is 9 or 0.

By 10.—A number is divisible by 10 when the last figure to the right is 0.

By 100.—A number is divisible by 100 when the last two figures to the right are 00.

By 11.—A number is divisible by 11 when the sum of the figures of even rank subtracted from the sum of the figures of uneven rank (increased by 11 if necessary) is 0 or divisible by 11, as 95832, 3304081.

By 12.—A number is divisible by 12 when it is divisible by 3 and 4, as 756.

By 15.—A number is divisible by 15 when it is divisible by 3 and 5, as 255.


[68]
[69]

Suggestions for the Study of
Arithmetic


By ERNEST L. CRANDALL

Former Civil Service Examiner


There are certain “standard errors,” so to speak, that the unsuccessful candidate makes nine times out of ten, and if these are eliminated every one, with a little practice, may put himself in line for 100 per cent.

While the examples may take the form of “problems,” the only processes involved will be simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division—no fractions or decimals.

[70]

In addition there is but one thing to be observed. If your numbers are not all of equal length arrange them so that the last figures are all in the same column. Suppose you have to add 357,856, 7,596, 452 and 29,360. Following are the right and wrong ways to arrange them:

Right way. Wrong way.
 357,856357856
     7,5967596
        452452
   29,36029360
  ——————

This arrangement is necessary because of the inherent properties of numbers as expressed in figures, under what we call our decimal system, which means simply the practice we have adopted of expressing our numbers in multiples of ten. This arose from the fact that we happen to be born with ten fingers, and our ancestors, like our children, learned to count by means of those very useful “markers.”

In the system of counting every place, or column, counting from the right, has a value ten times greater than the one in the place or column nearest on the right. Thus in the number 36,542 the first figure on[71] the right represents “ones,” the next ten times as much or “tens,” the next ten times as much again or “hundreds,” and so on. We really read this number backward when we name it, for in handling it in any way we have to start with the last figure, representing the “ones.” The number really means two ones, four tens, five hundreds, six thousands and three ten thousands. It is built up this way, really by addition:

2
40
500
6000
30000
———
36,542

Now, this principle underlies the processes called “carrying” and “borrowing.” You wish to add 26 and 37. Adding the 6 ones to the 7 you get 13 ones, or 3 ones and 1 ten. So you “carry” that 1 ten to the column where it belongs, leaving the 3 ones in their proper column. Thus, in your tens column you have 2 tens plus 3 tens plus the 1 ten “carried,” which makes 6 tens; and your result is 63, or 6 tens and 3 ones.

Again, you want to subtract 19 from 38. As you cannot take 9 from 8, you “borrow” one of the 3 tens,[72] making your 8 into 18 and subtract 9 from that, leaving 9. By so doing you have left but 2 tens in your tens column, and so there your subtraction is now from 2, leaving 1. Hence your result is 9 ones and 1 ten, or 19.

Here is an example in subtraction which was once used, and which is as likely to trip one up as any that could be set. Subtract 199,999 from 320,012. The result is as follows:

320,012
199,999
———
120,013

Now, you cannot take 9 from 2, so you “borrow” one from the left and make your two 12. Then 9 from 12 leaves 3. In borrowing from the left you reduce the 1 in the tens column to 0. As you cannot take 9 from 0, you must again borrow from the left. But what are you to borrow from? In the third, or hundreds column there is only a 0. Hence, before you can borrow from this column you must make this 0 a 10 by borrowing from the fourth, or thousands column (counting your columns always from the right).

[73]

But again here you find only a 0, and so before you can make even this “borrow” you must borrow one from the 2 in the ten thousands column. Now see what happens. With the one which you have finally borrowed you have made the 0 left in the second or tens column into a 10, and you take 9 from 10, which leaves 1.

Now, here is where you forget something. When you started out to “borrow” you had to go away over to the 2 in the fifth column; that made your 0 in the fourth column a 10, but you immediately passed this one on to the third column, which left only 9; again you passed it on from the third to the second column, which left only a 9 in the third column. Hence you have now a 9 in the third and in the fourth columns, and your results there will be in each case 9 from 9 leaves 0.

Coming to the fifth you have a 1 instead of a 2, having borrowed 1; and you have to borrow again from the 3 to make your 1 into an 11, obtaining 9 from 11 leaves 2; and your sixth and last figure, being reduced from 3 to 2, your last result is 1 from 2 leaves 1.

This last part is easy, but one out of practice is almost certain to forget that his 0’s in the third and[74] fourth columns became 9’s. If you have any difficulty with subtraction, study out the processes in this example until you understand them and you will never make a mistake again.

Now, as to the shape in which the examples will be given: The plain problems in addition will be unmistakable. You will be told that a concern sold 27,356 barrels of flour in one month, 38,452 the next, etc., and you cannot well run off the track. But you may find both processes involved in one “problem,” and you must then be careful to understand just what is meant by the question, so that you will know what you are expected to do with the figures.

Take this, for example: “A had $3,465 and B $4,895. A gained $1,146 and B lost $602. Which then had the more, and how much?”

Here you must add A’s gain to his principal—that is, the sum he had to start with—and subtract B’s loss from his principal; then subtract the smaller result from the larger, stating which is the “winner.” Thus:

$3,465$4,895$4,611
1,1466024,293
—————————
$4,611$4,293$318

Answer.—A has $318 more.

When it comes to multiplication and division, there is just one “catch,” so it might appear to the untrained[75] mind of some poor candidate, which is made to play a part in nearly every problem. It is safe to say that 90 per cent. of the failures on these two processes turn on this one point. It is a very simple one and really the same in both processes. It arises in the handling of the “naught” or “cipher,” as we used to call it, the “zero”—call it what you like, it is nothing, anyhow. And that’s the point to be remembered.

Here is an example: Multiply 3,125 by 208. Now it seems almost incredible, but I have seen literally hundreds of papers, it seems to me, where this very simple problem was worked out this way:

The Wrong Way.

3,125
208
———
25000
3125  
6250    
———
681250

Or else this:

[76]

Another Wrong Way.

3125
208
———
25000
6250  
———
87500

The trouble is that when the poor fellow came to multiply by the “naught” he forgot in the first instance that it was nothing, and that the biggest number in the world multiplied by nothing will produce nothing. He knew that something ought to go down there, and so in sheer desperation he wrote down the number he was multiplying.

In the second instance, while he recognized that nothing is nothing, he forgot that all our figuring is done by columns, as we saw in our last lesson; so that when we are multiplying by tens we must put our first figure down in the hundreds column, and so on. By forgetting this he multiplied his number by two hundreds, but put his first figure down in the tens columns, and thus he really multiplied by only 28 instead of 208.

Now, the very simplest way to avoid this sort of[77] mistake is to “go through the motions” of multiplying by the “naught” or “zero.” Thus:

The Right Way.3,125
208
———
25000
0000  
6250    
———
650,000

This looks a little clumsy, perhaps, but it is the logical way—to go through the process of saying naught times 5 is naught, naught times 2 is naught, etc., putting down the results in the proper columns. It is the safest way, if you are the least bit weak on the principles of numbers, to do even the process of multiplying by whole hundreds. Thus:

3,125
200
———
0000
0000  
6250    
———
625,000

[78]

By writing his example in the “short cut” style I have seen many a man make this mistake:

Wrong.3,125    
200
———    
62500    

That is, after setting down his two surplus ciphers, when he obtained another in multiplying 5 by 2, he forgot that it was a new one and went right on to the next process. If you are in that position that you must really learn your arithmetic all over again, stick to the logical method of showing every process and learn the “short cuts” afterward.

Now, when the reverse situation arises in division, a similar error is of frequent occurrence. Suppose we are to divide 650,000 by 3,125. This sometimes results:

The Wrong Way.3,125) 650,000 (28
625 0  
———  
25,000  
25,000  

That is, the figurer, when he came to try to divide 2,500 by 3,125, realizing that it would not “go,” simply[79] “brought down” another figure. He forgot that the real mental process was 3,125 goes into 2,500 no times, or produces “naught,” and that “naught,” or “cipher,” must be set down in the proper tens column. The only safe way, again, is to indicate every process; to “bring down” but one figure at a time and to set down every result, even the “nothings,” in its proper place. That will make our example look like this:

The Right Way.3,125) 650,000 (208
625 0
25 00  
00 00  
———
25 000
25 000

Very simple, but let me “whisper,” if you really master and understand the mysteries of “long division,” you have crossed the Rubicon of education. There is no door in all human learning that need remain forever sealed to a persistent mind that has truly found its way clearly and understandingly through this first great stumbling block. Ask any old-fashioned school teacher to dispute that proposition. And, “whisper” again, there are men counting coupons who[80] can do long division, to be sure, but who could not tell you why it is done as it is, if the price of stocks depended on it.

Punctuation.

Punctuation is a system of marks the purpose of which is to indicate to the eye the relation of words to one another in meaning, and so the relative importance of the component parts of a written composition.

The marks of Punctuation, corresponding, for the most part, to pauses in spoken language, are the comma (,), the period (.), the note of interrogation (?), the note of exclamation (!), the colon (:), the semi-colon (;), the dash (—), parentheses ( ), brackets [ ], quotation marks (“ ”), and the hyphen (-).

Purpose of Punctuation.—To make a written composition clear and intelligent, and to facilitate the task of reading.

Avoid All Unnecessary Remarks.—In modern writings punctuation marks are less frequently used than they were among writers in the early part of the last century. A sentence consisting of a simple subject, a simple predicate, and a simple object, or the relation of whose parts is clearly intelligible without marks, should not be encumbered with any. Take, for instance, the following two sentences:

“The attack was prepared with impenetrable secrecy.”

[81]

“On the very morning of the massacre they were in the houses and at the tables of those whose deaths they were plotting.”

Comma.—Three or more words of the same part of speech not connected by conjunctions should be separated from one another by commas.

“He was strong, alert, active.”

“New York City is grand, immense, beautiful.”

Two words contrasted with one another are separated by a comma.

“He is slow, but sure.”

Words in a series of pairs should be separated by a comma. “Young and old, strong and weak, fair and dark, good and bad.”

Explanatory and parenthetical words or phrases (such as “therefore,” “moreover,” “indeed,” “however,” “in fact,” “to some extent,” etc.), inserted into the body of a sentence are usually marked off by commas.

A comma is inserted after the name of a person or thing addressed.

“John, you were mistaken.”

“My country, I am proud of thee.”

Period.—The period (.) is put at the end of every complete sentence that is not exclamatory or interrogative. It is also used as a part of every abbreviation, and after every initial letter standing in place of the[82] full word in a name. “A. M.” (for Master of Arts), “Mr.” (for Mister), “Esq.” (for Esquire), “R. W. Emerson” (for Ralph Waldo Emerson), “Dr.” (for doctor).

Note of Interrogation.—The note of interrogation (?) should follow every direct question: “Are you coming?” “Shall I buy it?” An interrogation point does not, however, follow an indirect question, such as “Let me know what he says.”

Note of Exclamation.—The note of exclamation (!) follows an exclamation, or any series of words denoting an outburst of feeling. “Alas!” “Three cheers!” “Hurrah!”

Colon.—The colon (:) is used to divide from one another the several co-ordinate members of a compound sentence, when they might each of them form an independent sentence, but are ranged side by side in a compound sentence for the sake of better showing how they illustrate one another.

“New York is a wonderful city: The wealthiest in America.”

A quotation or enumeration of details is often preceded by a colon.

“He spoke as follows:” “His last words were:” “Among those present were:”

Semi-Colon.—The semi-colon (;) separates co-ordinate[83] sentences more dependent on one another than are those parted by the colon.

“Where it is prescribed that an act is to be done; or that the adverse party has a specified time to do an act; if service required is doubly the time allowed; except that,” etc.

In sentences containing two sets of subjects and predicates where either clause is very long or contains a subordinate clause, it is well to use a semi-colon.

Parentheses.—Parentheses ( ) are used to enclose words or phrases in a sentence, inserted by way of explanation or comment, but lying outside of the construction of the sentence:

“You see (as I predicted would be the case) I have had a long journey for nothing.”

Dash.—The dash (—) denotes, in most cases, a sudden digression from the general run of the sentence: “I want to tell you—but first let us go into the house.”

Sometimes the dash takes the place of the parentheses, when the clause, though digressive, bears some relation to the context.

Brackets.—Brackets [ ] are used to isolate interpolated words from the passage in which they are used:

“The examiner said that if they [the candidates] were discovered talking with each other he [the examiner][84] would have them [the candidates] expelled from the room.”

Hyphen.—A hyphen (-) is used, first to connect the part of a word at the end of a line with the remaining letters or syllables of the word beginning the next line; second, to conjoin two or more words into a compound word; as, “a never-to-be-forgotten day;” “long-winded,” etc.

The part of a word to which the hyphen is attached should be an integral part; that is, an entire syllable, and not merely certain letters composing only a part of a syllable.

Quotation Marks.—Quotation marks (“ ”) are used to distinguish a word, phrase, clause, sentence, or passage taken word for word, from any source outside that of the writing into which it is inserted.

A quotation within a quotation is marked off only by a single inverted comma before and after it. But a quotation within the second quotation requires double marks.

A passage quoted, not word for word, but only in substance, is often distinguished by but one quotation mark before and after it.

Capital Letters.—In examinations containing papers the rating of which is determined in part by correctness in the use of capital letters the average candidate is usually at a disadvantage. The following rules, if[85] committed to memory, will enable the candidate to avoid errors which, if made, might cause him to fail in the examination.

The first word of every sentence should begin with a capital letter.

The days of the week, the months of the year, and holidays.

The names of places and countries; as, England, Yonkers, Belmont Park, etc.

The names of States, Mountains, Rivers and Lakes.

All words used to signify the Deity; as, He, Him, His, Thou, Thee, Thine, etc.

The names of persons, the titles of persons, and the titles of books; as, John Brown, Lord Salisbury, Senator Mitchell, “The Marble Faun.”

The first word in every line of poetry.

The pronoun I, and the exclamation O, or Oh.

The first word of a direct quotation should also begin with a capital; as, “To thine own self be true.”


[86]

CHAPTER X.

HOW COMPETITORS ARE JUDGED.

Methods by Which the Examiners Keep
Candidates’ Identity Secret.

After the examination, which is conducted with the most scrupulous care to guard against favoritism or fraud, the local examiners arrange the papers by sheets or subjects and all are forwarded under seal to the United States Commission. When they are reached in the order of rating, they are distributed by sheets to the examiners, Examiner A being given all of sheets 1, Examiner B all of sheets 2, Examiner C all of sheets 3, and so on, the sheets being distributed to as many examiners as there are subjects in the particular examination to be rated. After the papers are rated in the first instance they are redistributed, and the first rating is reviewed by other examiners.

When all of the papers of an examination have been rated and reviewed, those of each competitor are then, for the first time, assembled or brought together, his average percentage is ascertained, his declaration envelope is opened, and the declaration sheet to which he has signed his name is attached to his examination[87] papers. The identity of the competitor, therefore, is not disclosed until his papers have been rated and reviewed and his average percentage determined. As the charges for specific errors are all fixed by the rules for rating, and as each subject is rated by two examiners acting separately and then reviewed by both jointly, it will be seen that absolute impartiality, accuracy and uniformity are secured in the work.

Appeals from the ratings are sometimes made by competitors, but the prospect of securing a higher rating is very remote. Errors on the part of examiners in making charges are seldom found, as the work of each examiner is verified and checked in every particular by another.


[88]

CHAPTER XI.

THE ELIGIBLE REGISTER.

How Names Are Placed on Eligible List and Mode of
Certification to Postmasters.

Usually it takes from three to six months to rate all papers after an examination. Candidates that make 70 per cent. or over are then notified of their relative standing. The period of eligibility for original appointments is one year from the date of entering the name on the register.

When a name has been placed upon a register it is not disturbed until a postmaster calls for a list of eligibles. Then the proper number of names are certified to him and he chooses those he needs. The names of all others are returned to the eligible register to await further certifications.

In making appointments the postmaster has the privilege of selecting one out of three down the list: If he had but one vacancy he could select the third name, but could not take the fourth; he also is permitted to appoint in regular order straight down the list, if he so choose.

[89]

The probationary period for letter carriers and clerks begins upon their promotion to the regular force and not at the date of original appointment as substitutes. The period of probation is limited to six months and cannot be extended. At its close a probationer must either be absolutely appointed or dismissed.


[90]

CHAPTER XII.

RULES FOR RATING.

Formula by Which Percentage Is Attained and
Credited to the Competitor.

All examination papers are rated according to the following rules:

Every correct answer, 100.

Every faulty answer according to its value on a scale of 100 and deduct the sum of the error marks of each answer from 100.

The difference between the sum of the error marks of each answer and 100 will be the mark of the answer.

Rules for Rating Spelling.

From 100 deduct—
1. For each error in spelling when the exercise consists of 20 words5
2. For each error in capitalization1
3. For each failure to use or for each wrong use of the hyphen and for each improper division of a word into a [91] compound word when required to be written solid2

Rules for Rating Arithmetic.

From 100 deduct—
1. For each wrong process, producing incorrect result, in proportion to the number of steps involved and gravity of error10 to 100
2. For decimal error and for each evasion of a decimal or common fraction test25
3. For each error in computation or in copying from the printed question or from work10
4. For minor errors, such as wrong indication of a correct process, incorrect or inconsistent punctuation, improper use of symbols of designation, improper or incorrect designation of a partial or final results, etc.5 to 10
5. For failure to show work, as required in solution of problems25 to 75

Rules for Rating Letter Writing.

In rating the letter, its errors in form and address, in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, syntax and[92] style, and its adherence to and treatment of the subject given, are considered, and its value, in the judgment of the examiners, determined on a scale of 100.

In determining the mark for letter writing it is proper for the examiner to be guided in a general way by the following scheme: Excellent, 95 to 90; good, 90 to 80; fair, 80 to 70; ordinary, 70 to 60; poor, 60 to 50; very poor, 50 to 25; practically worthless, 25 to 0.

Rules for Rating Penmanship.

Penmanship is rated according to its value on a scale of 100. In determining the rating, legibility, neatness and general appearance, as well as correctness and uniformity in the formation of words, letters and punctuation marks, are considered, and it is proper for examiners to be guided in a general way by the following scheme: Excellent, 90 to 85; very good, 85 to 80; good, 80 to 75; ordinary, 75 to 70; poor, 70 to 65; very poor, 65 to 50; below the grade of “very poor,” 50 to 10.

Rules for Rating Copying from Plain Copy.

From 100 deduct—
1. For each word or figure omitted, repeated, [93] substituted, or improperly inserted5
2. For each error in spelling, for each transposition, for each abbreviation not in the copy, for each failure to capitalize according to copy, for each failure to punctuate according to copy, for each failure to indent margin as in copy, for each error in paragraphing, and for irregularity in left-hand margin5
3. For each misdivision of a word at the end of a line, for each omission or improper use of the hyphen in dividing a word at the end of a line, for each word altered, interlined, or canceled, for each blot or minor erasure, if not neat1
4. For any other deviation from copy not covered by the foregoing, charges are made in the discretion of the examiners.

Rules for Rating Reading Addresses.

The rating on this subject is for accuracy only. A[94] charge is made for each error or omission in noting the errors on the printed sheet, when compared with the correct written addresses given. The difference between the sum of the errors thus found and 100 is the rating on this subject.


[95]

CHAPTER XIII.

DISTRICT REGULATIONS.

RULES GOVERNING EXAMINATIONS.

Competitors Required to State Clearly Whether They
Desire Eligibility for Clerk or Carrier.

There are in the United States, thirteen United States Civil Service Districts, and in each, examinations for letter carrier and clerk are held yearly. THE CHIEF has obtained from the United States Civil Service Commission the regulations governing the examinations in each district, the post offices for which examinations may be taken, the rules relative to the registers for clerk or carrier in each district, the approximate dates when examinations are held and whether or not more than one examination may be taken in the same Civil Service district. Intending competitors should read carefully the section covering their particular district, so as to know whether their names can be placed on the carrier and clerk register, or only on one. There is some difference in the regulations covering this part of the requirements, but[96] the rules for the examination proper, as given in the preceding pages, are uniform all over the country.

FIRST DISTRICT.

Headquarters, Boston, Mass.

At the following named offices the names of male eligibles will be entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants for those offices must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier:

Boston, Mass.; Brockton, Mass.; Concord, N. H.; Fall River, Mass.; Gloucester, Mass.; Hartford, Conn.; Haverhill, Mass.; Holyoke, Mass.; Lawrence, Mass.; Lowell, Mass.; Lynn, Mass.; New Bedford, Mass.; Newton Center, Mass.; Pawtucket, R. I.; Portland, Me.; Providence, R. I.; Quincy, Mass.; Salem, Mass.; Springfield, Mass.; Taunton, Mass.; Waltham, Mass.; Worcester, Mass.

Note 1.—No change in the designation of the register will be made after the date set for the close of receipt of applications. The name of each male eligible for any post office not mentioned above is entered on both the male clerk register and the carrier register, and will be certified in its order to vacancies occurring in either the position of male clerk or carrier,[97] without regard to any choice of position expressed by the eligible in his application. Male eligibles will be entitled to three certifications from the male clerk register and three certifications from the carrier register. Failure of selection from one register or declination of appointment when selected will not affect the eligible’s standing on the other register. Appointment from either register will remove the eligible’s name from both registers.

Examinations for the following offices are held, as far as practicable, on the first Wednesday or Saturday after the 15th of November of each year:

Augusta, Me.; Bangor, Me.; Boston, Mass.; Brockton, Mass.; Burlington, Vt.; Concord, N. H.; Fall River, Mass.; Fitchburg, Mass.; Gloucester, Mass.; Hartford, Conn.; Haverhill, Mass.; Holyoke, Mass.; Lawrence, Mass.; Lowell, Mass.; Lynn, Mass.; Manchester, N. H.; New Britain, Conn.; New Bedford, Mass.; New London, Conn.; Newport, R. I.; Newton Center, Mass.; Norwich, Conn.; Pawtucket, R. I.; Pittsfield, Mass.; Portland, Me.; Providence, R. I.; Quincy, Mass.; Salem, Mass.; Springfield, Mass.; Taunton, Mass.; Waltham, Mass.; Waterville, Me.; Worcester, Mass.

Blank forms of application may be obtained at any time either from the Secretary, Board of United States Civil Service Examiners, room 141, post office,[98] Boston, Mass., or from the local secretary at the office where employment is desired. Applications when executed must be filed with the secretary of the board at Boston, Mass., prior to 4 p. m. on the third Monday in October. Applications received after that time will be filed for the next subsequent examination.

Examinations for the following offices are held only when eligibles are needed, and application blanks will not be given out until the examinations are announced:

Adams, Mass.; Amesbury, Mass.; Amherst, Mass.; Andover, Mass.; Athol, Mass.; Attleboro, Mass.; Auburn, Me.; Bar Harbor, Me.; Barre, Vt.; Bath, Me.; Belfast, Me.; Bellows Falls, Vt.; Bennington, Vt.; Beverly, Mass.; Biddeford, Me.; Brattleboro, Vt.; Bristol, Conn.; Bristol, R. I.; Brunswick, Me.; Camden, Me.; Central Falls, R. I.; Chicopee, Mass.; Chicopee Falls, Mass.; Claremont, N. H.; Clinton, Mass.; Concord Junction, Mass.; Danvers, Mass.; Ware, Mass.; Watertown, Mass.; Webster, Mass.; Wellesley, Mass.; Westbrook, Me.; Dedham, Mass.; Dover, N. H.; Easthampton, Mass.; East Providence, R. I.; Exeter, N. H.; Franklin, Mass.; Franklin Falls, N. H.; Gardner, Mass.; Gardiner, Me.; Great Barrington, Mass.; Greenfield, Mass.; Houlton, Me.; Hudson, Mass.; Hyde Park, Mass.; Keene, N. H.; Laconia, N. H.; Leominster, Mass.; Lewiston, Me.; Marblehead, Mass.;[99] Marlboro, Mass.; Medford, Mass.; Melrose, Mass.; Middleboro, Mass.; Middletown, Conn.; Milford, Mass.; Montepelier, Vt.; Nashua, N. H.; Westboro, Mass.; Westerly, R. I.; Westfield, Mass.; West Medford, Mass.; Williamantic, Conn.; Natick, Mass.; North Adams, Mass.; North Attleboro, Mass.; Northampton, Mass.; Norwood, Mass.; Orange, Mass.; Peabody, Mass.; Plymouth, Mass.; Portsmouth, N. H.; Putnam, Conn.; Reading, Mass.; Rochester, N. H.; Rockland, Me.; Rockville, Conn.; Rumford Falls, Me.; Rutland, Vt.; Skowhegan, Me.; Somersworth, N. H.; Southbridge, Mass.; South Framingham, Mass.; South Weymouth, Mass.; St. Albans, Vt.; St. Johnsbury, Vt.; Stoneham, Mass.; Torrington, Conn.; Wakefield, Mass.; Winchester, Mass.; Winsted, Conn.; Woburn, Mass.; Woonsocket, R. I.

Note 2.—Any person may at the same time be an applicant for, or eligible from examination for more than one post office. Whenever a person whose name is upon more than one register is appointed from one of such registers, his eligibility on all registers shall expire by reason of such appointment. He may, however, upon his written request, at any time within the period for which eligibility would continue if not canceled by appointment, have his eligibility revived on one or more of such registers for the balance of such period of eligibility.

[100]

SECOND DISTRICT.

Headquarters, New York City.

No person may at the same time be an applicant for, or eligible from examination for more than one post office in this district, except when special examinations are ordered to secure sufficient eligibles.

At the following offices the names of male eligibles will be entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier. No change in the designation of the register will be made after the date of the examination:

Albany, N. Y.; Binghamton, N. Y.; Bridgeport, Conn.; Brooklyn, N. Y.; Buffalo, N. Y.; East Orange, N. J.; Elizabeth, N. J.; Elmira, N. Y.; Flushing, N. Y.; Hoboken, N. J.; Jamaica, N. Y.; Jersey City, N. J.; Long Island City, N. Y.; Newark, N. J.; New Haven, Conn.; New York, N. Y.; Orange, N. J.; Paterson, N. J.; Rochester, N. Y.; Schenectady, N. Y.; Syracuse, N. Y.; Troy, N. Y.; Utica, N. Y.; Waterbury, Conn.; Yonkers, N. Y.

See Note 1, First District.

Examinations for the following offices are held in November or December:

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Albany, N. Y.; Auburn, N. Y.; Binghamton, N. Y.; Bridgeport, Conn.; Brooklyn, N. Y.; Danbury, Conn.; East Orange, N. J.; Elizabeth, N. J.; Elmira, N. Y.; Hoboken, N. J.; Ithaca, N. Y.; Jamestown, N. Y.; Jersey City, N. J.; Kingston, N. Y.; Locksport, N. Y.; Long Island City, N. Y.; Meriden, Conn.; Montclair, N. J.; Morristown, N. J.; Mount Vernon, N. Y.; Newark, N. J.; Newburgh, N. Y.; New Haven, Conn.; New Rochelle, N. Y.; Niagara Falls, N. Y.; Orange, N. J.; Passaic, N. J.; Paterson, N. J.; Plainfield, N. J.; Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; Rochester, N. Y.; Schenectady, N. Y.; Saratoga Springs, N. Y.; Stamford, Conn.; Stapleton, N. Y.; Syracuse, N. Y.; Troy, N. Y.; Utica, N. Y.; Waterbury, N. Y.; Watertown, N. Y.; Yonkers, N. Y.

Blank forms of application may be obtained from the local secretary at the office where employment is desired, or from the Secretary of the Board of Civil Service Examiners, Custom House, New York City, and should be properly executed and filed with the secretary of the board at the Custom House in New York City between the 1st of July and the third Monday in October. Applications presented at other times will be returned to the applicants.

Examinations for the following offices are held only when eligibles are needed, and application blanks will[102] not be given out until the examinations are announced:

Albion, N. Y.; Ansonia, Conn.; Arlington, N. J.; Batavia, N. Y.; Balston Spa, N. Y.; Bath, N. Y.; Bayonne, N. J.; Bloomfield, N. J.; Brockport, N. Y.; Canandaigua, N. Y.; Canajoharie, N. Y.; Canastota, N. Y.; Carthage, N. Y.; Catskill, N. Y.; Cohoes, N. Y.; Corning, N. Y.; Cortland, N. Y.; Cooperstown, N. Y.; Cranford, N. J.; Dansville, N. Y.; Derby, Conn.; Dover, N. J.; Dunkirk, N. Y.; East Aurora, N. Y.; Englewood, N. J.; Far Rockaway, N. Y.; Fort Plain, N. Y.; Fredonia, N. Y.; Fulton, N. Y.; Glens Falls, N. Y.; Gouverneur, N. Y.; Greenwich, Conn.; Hempstead, N. Y.; Herkimer, N. Y.; Hoosick Falls, N. Y.; Hornellsville, N. Y.; Hudson, N. Y.; Ilion, N. Y.; Irvington, N. Y.; Johnstown, N. Y.; Leroy, N. Y.; Little Falls, N. Y.; Lyons, N. Y.; Lestershire, N. Y.; Liberty, N. Y.; Lockport, N. Y.; Madison, N. J.; Malone, N. Y.; Mamaroneck, N. Y.; Medina, N. Y.; Middletown, N. Y.; Mechanicsville, N. Y.; Naugatuck, Conn.; Newark, N. Y.; New Brighton, N. Y.; Newton, N. J.; No. Tonawanda, N. Y.; Norwalk, Conn.; Norwich, N. Y.; Nyack, N. Y.; Ogdensburg, N. Y.; Olean, N. Y.; Oneida, N. Y.; Oneonta, N. Y.; Ossining, N. Y.; Owego, N. Y.; Palmyra, N. Y.; Patchogue, N. Y.; Peekskill, N. Y.; Penn Yan, N. Y.; Plattsburg, N. Y.; Port Chester, N. Y.; Port Jervis,[103] N. Y.; Port Richmond, N. Y.; Potsdam, N. Y.; Rahway, N. J.; Rome, N. Y.; Rosebank, N. Y.; Rutherford, N. J.; Salamanca, N. Y.; Sandyhill, N. Y.; Saugerties, N. Y.; Seneca Falls, N. Y.; South Norwalk, Conn.; South Orange, N. J.; Summit, N. J.; Tarrytown, N. Y.; Tompkinsville, N. Y.; Tonawanda, N. Y.; Wallingford, Conn.; Waverly, N. Y.; Weehawken, N. J.; Wellsville, N. Y.; Westfield, N. J.; West Hoboken, N. J.; West New Brighton, N. Y.; White Plains, N. Y.

THIRD DISTRICT.

Headquarters, Philadelphia, Pa.

For the following offices the names of male eligibles will be entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants for those offices must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier.

Allegheny, Pa.; Altoona, Pa.; Atlantic City, N. J.; Camden, N. J.; Chester, Pa.; Erie, Pa.; Harrisburg, Pa.; Lancaster, Pa.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Pittsburg, Pa.; Reading, Pa.; Scranton, Pa.; Trenton, Pa.; Trenton, N. J.; Wilkes-Barre, Pa..; Wilmington, Del.; York, Pa.

See Note 1, First District.

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Examinations for the following offices are held, as far as practicable, on the first Wednesday or Saturday after the 15th of November of each year:

Allegheny, Pa.; Allentown, Pa.; Altoona, Pa.; Atlantic City, N. J.; Camden, N. J.; Chester, Pa.; Easton, Pa.; Erie, Pa.; Harrisburg, Pa.; Johnstown, Pa.; Lancaster, Pa.; New Brunswick, N. J.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Pittsburg, Pa.; Reading, Pa.; Scranton, Pa.; Trenton, N. J.; Williamsport, Pa.; Wilmington, Del.; York, Pa.

Blank forms of application may be obtained at any time either from the Secretary, Third United States Civil Service District, room 2, fourth floor, Post Office Building, Philadelphia, Pa., or from the local secretary at the office where appointment is desired. The application when executed must be filed with the district secretary at Philadelphia, prior to 4.30 p. m., on the third Monday in October. Applications received after that time are filed for the next subsequent examination.

Examinations for the following offices are held only when eligibles are needed, and application blanks will not be given out until the examinations are announced:

Dover, Del.; Asbury Park, N. J.; Bridgeton, N. J.; Burlington, N. J.; Cape May, N. J.; Collingswood, N. J.; Freehold, N. J.; Gloucester City, N. J.; Haddonfield, N. J.; Lakewood, N. J.; Long Branch, N. J.; Merchantville, N. J.; Millville, N. J.; Moorestown,[105] N. J.; Ocean City, N. J.; Ocean Grove, N. J.; Perth Amboy, N. J.; Phillipsburg, N. J.; Princeton, N. J.; Red Bank, N. J.; Salem, N. J.; Somerville, N. J.; Vineland, N. J.; Washington, N. J.; Woodbury, N. J.; Ambler, Pa.; Beaver Falls, Pa.; Bellefonte, Pa.; Berwick, Pa.; Bethlehem, Pa.; Bloomsburg, Pa.; Braddock, Pa.; Bradford, Pa.; Bristol, Pa.; Butler, Pa.; Canonsburg, Pa.; Carbondale, Pa.; Carlisle, Pa.; Carnegie, Pa.; Chambersburg, Pa.; Charleroi, Pa.; Clearfield, Pa.; Coattsville, Pa.; Columbia, Pa.; Connelsville, Pa.; Conshohocken, Pa.; Corry, Pa.; Danville, Pa.; Dubois, Pa.; Franklin, Pa.; Gettysburg, Pa.; Greensburg, Pa.; Greenville, Pa.; Hanover, Pa.; Hazleton, Pa.; Homestead, Pa.; Honesdale, Pa.; Huntington, Pa.; Indiana, Pa.; Jeanette, Pa.; Kane, Pa.; Kittanning, Pa.; Lansdowne, Pa.; Latrobe, Pa.; Lebanon, Pa.; Lewisburg, Pa.; Lewiston, Pa.; Lockhaven, Pa.; McKeesport, Pa.; McKees Rocks, Pa.; Mahanoy City, Pa.; Meadville, Pa.; Media, Pa.; Milton, Pa.; Monessen, Pa.; Monongahela, Pa.; Mt. Carmel, Pa.; Nanticoke, Pa.; New Brighton, Pa.; Newcastle, Pa.; Norristown, Pa.; Oil City, Pa.; Phillipsburg, Pa.; Phoenixville, Pa.; Pittston, Pa.; Plymouth, Pa.; Pottstown, Pa.; Pottsville, Pa.; Punxsutawney, Pa.; Ridgway, Pa.; Rochester, Pa.; Sayre, Pa.; Scotdale, Pa.; Sewickley, Pa.; Shamokin, Pa.; Sharon, Pa.; Sharpsburg, Pa.; Shenandoah, Pa.; South Bethlehem, Pa.;[106] Steelton, Pa.; Sunbury, Pa.; Tarentum, Pa.; Titusville, Pa.; Towanda, Pa.; Tyrone, Pa.; Union City, Pa.; Uniontown, Pa.; Vandergrift, Pa.; Warren, Pa.; Washington, Pa.; Wayne, Pa.; Waynesboro, Pa.; Waynesburg, Pa.; Westchester, Pa.

See Note 2, First District.

FOURTH DISTRICT.

Headquarters, Washington, D. C.

At the following offices the names of male eligibles are entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier:

Baltimore, Md.; Norfolk, Va.; Richmond, Va.; Washington, D. C.; Wheeling, Va.

See Note 1, First District.

Examinations for the following offices are held, as far as practicable, on the first Wednesday or Saturday after the 15th of November of each year:

Asheville, N. C.; Baltimore, Md.; Charleston, W. Va.; Parkersburg, W. Va.; Raleigh, N. C.; Charlotte, N. C.; Cumberland, Md.; Greensboro, N. C.; Lynchburg, Va.; Norfolk, Va.; Roanoke, Va.; Washington,[107] D. C.; Wheeling, W. Va.; Wilmington, N. C.; Winston-Salem, N. C.

Blank forms of application may be obtained at any time either from the Secretary of the Fourth District Examining-Board, Civil Service Commission, Washington, D. C., or from the auxiliary secretary at the office where appointment is desired. Applications when executed must be filed with the secretary of the board at Washington, D. C, prior to 4.30 p. m. on the third Monday in October. Applications received after that time will be filed for the next examination.

Examinations for the following offices are held only when eligibles are needed, and application blanks will not be given out until the examinations are announced:

Alexandria, Va.; Annapolis, Md.; Bedford City, Va.; Bluefield, W. Va.; Charlottesville, Va.; Clarksburg, W. Va.; Danville, Va.; Durham, N. C.; Elizabeth City, N. C.; Fairmont, W. Va.; Fayetteville, N. C.; Frederick, Md.; Fredericksburg, Va.; Goldsboro, N. C.; Grafton, W. Va.; Hagerstown, Md.; Hampton, Va.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Highpont, N. C.; Huntington, W. Va.; Manchester, Va.; Martinsburg, W. Va.; Morgantown, W. Va.; Moundsville, W. Va.; Newbern, N. C.; Newport News, Va.; Petersburg, Va.; Portsmouth, Pa.; Salisbury, Md.; Salisbury, N. C.; Sistersville, W. Va.; Statesville, N. C.; Staunton, Va.; Westminster,[108] Md.; Winchester, Va.

See Note 2, First District.

FIFTH DISTRICT.

Headquarters, Atlanta, Ga.

Examinations can be taken only in the cities where employment is desired. At the following offices the names of male eligibles will be entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants for those offices must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier:

Atlanta, Ga.; Augusta, Ga.; Birmingham, Ala.; Charleston, S. C.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Memphis, Tenn.; Mobile, Ala.; Nashville, Tenn.; Savannah, Ga.

See Note 1, First District.

Examinations for the following offices are held, as far as practicable, on the first Wednesday or Saturday after the 15th of November of each year:

Atlanta, Ga.; Augusta, Ga.; Birmingham, Ala.; Charleston, S. C.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Columbia, S. C.; Columbus, Ga.; Jackson, Miss.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Macon, Ga.; Memphis, Tenn.; Mobile, Ala.; Montgomery, Ala.; Nashville, Tenn.; Savannah, Ga.; Tampa, Fla.; Vicksburg, Miss.

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Applications may be obtained at any time either from the District Secretary at Atlanta, Ga., or from the local secretary at the office where appointment is desired. The application when executed must be filed with the District Secretary at Atlanta, Ga., prior to 4 o’clock p. m., on the third Monday in October. Applications received after that time will be filed for the next subsequent examination.

Examinations for the following offices are held only when eligibles are needed, and application blanks will not be given out until the examinations are announced:

Albany, Ga.; Americus, Ga.; Anderson, S. C.; Anniston, Ala.; Athens, Ga.; Bessemer, Ala.; Bristol, Tenn.; Brunswick, Ga.; Clarksville, Tenn.; Columbia, Tenn.; Columbus, Miss.; Cordele, Ga.; Florence, Ala.; Gadeden, Ala.; Gainesville, Fla.; Greensville, Miss.; Greenville, S. C.; Greenville, Tenn.; Harriman, Tenn.; Hattiesburg, Miss.; Huntsville, Ala.; Jackson, Tenn.; Johnson City, Tenn.; Key West, Fla.; Meridian, Miss.; Miami, Fla.; Natchez, Miss.; Ocala, Fla.; Pensacola, Fla.; Rock Hill, S. C.; Rome, Ga.; St. Augustine, Fla.; Selma, Ala.; Spartanburg, S. C.; Sumter, S. C.; Thomasville, Ga.; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Valdosta, Ga.; Waycross, Ga.; Yazoo City, Miss.

See Note 2, First District.

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SIXTH DISTRICT.

Headquarters, Cincinnati, O.

At the following offices the names of male eligibles will be entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants for those offices must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier:

Akron, O.; Canton, O.; Cincinnati, O.; Cleveland, O.; Columbus, O.; Covington, Ky.; Dayton, O.; Evansville, Ind.; Fort Wayne, Ind., Indianapolis, Ind.; Louisville, Ky.; Newport, Ky.; South Bend, Ind.; Springfield, O.; Terre Haute, Ind.; Toledo, O.; Youngstown, O.

See Note 1, First District.

Examinations for the following offices are held, as far as practicable, on the first Wednesday or Saturday after the 15th of November of each year:

Akron, O.; Anderson, Ind.; Ashland, O.; Canton, O.; Cincinnati, O.; Cleveland, O.; Columbus, O.; Covington, Ky.; Dayton, O.; East Liverpool, O.; Elkhart, Ind.; Evansville, Ind.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Hamilton, O.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Lafayette, Ind.; Lexington, Ky.; Lima, O.; Louisville, Ky.; Mansfield, O.; Marion, Ind.; Muncie, Ind.; Newport, Ky.; Paducah, Ky.; Richmond, Ind.; South Bend, Ind.; Springfield, O.;[111] Terre Haute, Ind.; Toledo, O.; Youngstown, O.; Zanesville, O.

Blank forms of application may be obtained at any time either from the Secretary, Sixth U. S. Civil Service District, room 418, fourth floor, Post Office, Cincinnati, or from the local secretary at the office where appointment is desired. The applications when executed must be filed with the District Secretary at Cincinnati, prior to 4.30 p. m., on the third Monday in October. Applications received after that time will be filed for the next examination.

Examinations for the following offices will be held only when eligibles are needed, and application blanks will not be given out until the examinations are announced:

Alexandria, Ind.; Alliance, O.; Ashland, Ky.; Ashtabula, O.; Athens, O.; Attica, Ind.; Barberton, O.; Bedford, Ind.; Bellaire, O.; Bellefontaine, O.; Bloomington, Ind.; Bluffton, Ind.; Bowling Green, Ky.; Bowling Green, O.; Brazil, Ind.; Bucyrus, O.; Cambridge, O.; Canal Dover, O.; Chillicothe, Ind.; Circleville, O.; Coshocton, O.; Crawfordsville, Ind.; Columbia City, Ind.; Columbus, Ind.; Connersville, Ind.; Conneaut, O.; Danville, Ky.; Decatur, Ind.; Defiance, O.; Delaware, O.; Elwood, Ind.; Elyria, O.; Finley, O.; Fostoria, O.; Frankfort, Ky.; Frankfort, Ind.;[112] Franklin, Ind.; Fremont, O.; Galion, O.; Gallipolis, O.; Goshen, Ind.; Greencastle, Ind.; Greenfield, Ind.; Greenfield, O.; Greensburg, Ind.; Greenville, O.; Hammond, Ind.; Hartford City, Ind.; Henderson, Ky.; Hillsboro, O.; Hopkinsville, Ky.; Huntington, Ind.; Ironton, O.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; Kendallville, Ind.; Kenton, O.; Kokoma, Ind.; Lancaster, O.; Laporte, Ind.; Lebanon, Ind.; Lebanon, O.; Logansport, Ind.; Lorain, O.; Madison, Ind.; Marietta, O.; Marion, O.; Martinsville, Ind.; Massillon, O.; Maysville, Ky.; Michigan City, Ind.; Middletown, O.; Mishawaka, Ind.; Mount Vernon, O.; New Albany, Ind.; Newark, O.; Newcastle, Ind.; New Philadelphia, O.; Niles, O.; Noblesville, Ind.; North Vernon, Ind.; Norwalk, O.; Oberlin, O.; Owensboro, Ky.; Painesville, O.; Paris, Ky.; Peru, Ind.; Piqua, O.; Portland, Ind.; Portsmouth, O.; Princeton, Ind.; Ravenna, O.; Rushville, Ind.; St. Marys, O.; Salem, O.; Sandusky, O.; Seymour, Ind.; Shelby, O.; Shelbyville, Ind.; Sidney, O.; Steubenville, O.; Tiffin, O.; Troy, O.; Union City, Ind.; Urbana, O.; Valparaiso, Ind.; Van Wert, O.; Vincennes, Ind.; Wabash, Ind.; Warren, O.; Warsaw, Ind.; Washington Court House, O.; Washington, Ind.; Winchester, Ind.; Wooster, O.; Xenia, O.

See Note 2, First District.

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SEVENTH DISTRICT.

Headquarters, Chicago, Ill.

At the following offices the names of male eligibles will be entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants for those offices must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier.

Battle Creek, Mich.; Chicago, Ill.; Detroit, Mich.; Evanston, Ill.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Jackson, Mich.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Peoria, Ill.; Racine, Wis.; Rockford, Ill.; Superior, Wis.

See Note 1, First District.

Examinations for the following offices are held, as far as practicable, on the first Wednesday or Saturday after the 15th of November of each year:

Aurora, Ill.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Bay City, Mich.; Chicago, Ill.; Detroit, Mich.; Elgin, Ill.; Evanston, Ill.; Freeport, Ill.; Galesburg, Ill.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Green Bay, Wis.; Jackson, Mich.; Joliet, Ill.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; La Crosse, Wis.; Lansing, Mich.; Madison, Mich.; Marshall, Mich.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Moline, Ill.; Muskegon, Mich.; Oak Park, Ill.; Oshkosh, Wis.; Peoria, Ill.; Port Huron, Mich.; Racine, Wis.; Rockford, Ill.; Rock Island, Ill.; Saginaw, Mich.; Superior, Wis.

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Blank forms of application may be obtained at any time either from the Secretary of the Seventh U. S. Civil Service District, room 41, second floor, Post Office, Chicago, or from the local secretary at the office where appointment is desired. The application when executed must be filed with the District Secretary at Chicago prior to 4.30 p. m. on the third Monday in October. Applications received after that time will be filed for the next subsequent examination.

Examinations for the following offices will be held only when eligibles are needed, and application blanks will not be given out until the examinations are announced:

Adrian, Mich.; Albion, Mich.; Alpena, Mich.; Antigo, Wis.; Appleton, Wis.; Ashland, Wis.; Baraboo, Wis.; Batavia, Ill.; Beaver Dam, Wis.; Beloit, Wis.; Belvidere, Ill.; Benton Harbor, Mich.; Big Rapids, Mich.; Blue Island, Ill.; Cadillac, Mich.; Calumet, Mich.; Charlotte, Mich.; Chicago Heights, Ill.; Chippewa Falls, Wis.; Coldwater, Mich.; DeKalb, Ill.; Divon, Ill.; Dowagiac, Mich.; Dwight, Ill.; Eau Claire, Wis.; Escanaba, Mich.; Flint, Mich.; Fond du Lac, Wis.; Fort Atkinson, Wis.; Galena, Ill.; Hancock, Mich.; Harvey, Ill.; Hastings, Mich.; Hillsdale, Mich.; Holland, Mich.; Ionia, Mich.; Iron Mountain, Mich.; Ironwood, Mich.; Isthpeming, Mich.; Janesville, Wis.; Kankakee, Ill.; Kenosha, Wis.; Kewanee,[115] Ill.; LaGrange, Ill.; LaSalle, Ill.; Ludington, Mich.; Manitowoc, Wis.; Manistee, Mich.; Marinette, Wis.; Marquette, Mich.; Marshfield, Wis.; Maywood, Ill.; Menasha, Wis.; Mendota, Ill.; Menominee, Mich.; Menomonie, Wis.; Merrill, Wis.; Monmouth, Ill.; Morgan Park, Ill.; Monroe, Mich.; Mount Clemens, Mich.; Mount Pleasant, Mich.; Neenah, Wis.; Niles, Mich.; Ottawa, Ill.; Owosso, Mich.; Peru, Ill.; Petoskey, Mich.; Pontiac, Mich.; Portage, Wis.; Princeton, Ill.; Rhinelander, Wis.; Saginaw-West Side, Mich.; St. Charles, Ill.; St. Johns, Mich.; St. Joseph, Mich.; Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.; Sheboygan, Wis.; South Haven, Mich.; Stevens Point, Wis.; Sterling, Ill.; Streator, Ill.; Three Rivers, Mich.; Traverse City, Mich.; Watertown, Wis.; Waukegan, Ill.; Waukesha, Wis.; Wausau, Wis.; Wauwatosa, Wis.; West Bay City, Mich.; Wheaton, Ill.; White Water, Wis.; Wyandotte, Mich.; Ypsilanti, Mich.; Zion City, Ill.

See Note 2, First District.

EIGHTH DISTRICT.

Headquarters, St. Paul, Minn.

At the following offices the names of male eligibles are entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier:

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Davenport, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; Dubuque, Iowa; Duluth, Minn.; Lincoln, Neb.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Omaha, Neb.; Sioux City, Iowa; South Omaha, Neb.; St. Paul, Minn.

See Note 1, First District.

Examinations for the following offices are held, as far as practicable, on the first Wednesday or Saturday after the 15th of November of each year:

Burlington, Iowa; Cedar Bluffs, Iowa; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Davenport, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; Duluth, Minn.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Omaha, Neb.; Ottumwa, Iowa; Sioux City, Iowa; Sioux Falls, S. Dak.; South Omaha, Neb.; Fargo, N. Dak.; Keokuk, Iowa; Lincoln, Neb.; St. Paul, Minn.; Waterloo, Iowa; Winona, Minn.; York, Neb.

Blank forms of application may be obtained at any time either from the secretary of the board, room 532, fifth floor, Post Office, St. Paul, or from the local secretary at the office where appointment is desired. The application when executed must be filed with the secretary of the board, room 532, fifth floor, Post Office, St. Paul, prior to 4 o’clock p. m., on the third Monday in October. Applications received after that time will be filed for the next examination.

Examinations for the following offices will be held only when eligibles are needed, and application blanks[117] will not be given out until the examinations are announced:

Aberdeen, S. Dak.; Albert Lea, Minn.; Ames, Iowa; Atlantic, Iowa; Austin, Minn.; Beatrice, Neb.; Bismarck, N. Dak.; Boone, Iowa; Brainerd, Minn.; Carroll, Iowa; Cedar Falls, Iowa; Centerville, Iowa; Charles City, Iowa; Cherokee, Iowa; Clarinda, Iowa; Clinton, Iowa; Creston, Iowa; Crookston, Minn.; Deadwood, S. Dak.; Decorah, Iowa; Estherville, Iowa; Fairbury, Neb.; Fairfield, Iowa; Faribault, Minn.; Fort Dodge, Iowa; Fort Madison, Iowa; Fergus Falls, Minn.; Fremont, Neb.; Grand Forks, N. Dak.; Grand Island, Neb.; Grinnell, Iowa; Hastings, Neb.; Huron, S. Dak.; Independence, Iowa; Iowa City, Iowa; Iowa Falls, Iowa; Jamestown, N. Dak.; Kearney, Neb.; Lead, S. Dak.; Lemars, Iowa; Little Falls, Minn.; Lyons, Iowa; Marion, Iowa; Marshalltown, Iowa; Mason City, Iowa; Mitchell, S. Dak.; Mount Pleasant, Iowa; Muscatine, Iowa; Nebraska City, Neb.; Newton, Iowa; Norfolk, Neb.; Northfield, Minn.; Oelwein, Iowa; Osage, Iowa; Oskaloosa, Iowa; Owatonna, Minn.; Red Oak, Iowa; Red Wing, Minn.; Rochester, Minn.; Shenandoah, Iowa; St. Cloud, Minn.; Stillwater, Minn.; Washington, Iowa; Watertown, S. Dak.; Webster City, Iowa; Lankton, S. Dak.

See Note 2, First District.

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NINTH DISTRICT.

Headquarters, St. Louis, Mo.

At the following offices the names of male eligibles will be entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier:

Kansas City, Mo.; Little Rock, Ark.; Quincy, Ill.; St. Joseph, Mo.; St. Louis, Mo.; Springfield, Ill.; Topeka, Kans.

See Note 1, First District.

Examinations for the following offices are held, as far as practicable, on the first Wednesday or Saturday after the 15th of November of each year:

Atchison, Kans.; Bloomington, Ill.; Danville, Ill.; Decatur, Ill.; East St. Louis, Ill.; Fort Smith, Ark.; Joplin, Mo.; Kansas City, Kans.; Kansas City, Mo.; Little Rock, Ark.; Oklahoma, Okla.; Quincy, Ill.; St. Joseph, Mo.; St. Louis, Mo.; Springfield, Ill.; Springfield, Mo.; Topeka, Kans.; Wichita, Kans.

Blank forms of application may be obtained at any time either from the Secretary, Ninth U. S. Civil Service District, Appraisers’ Stores Building, St. Louis, Mo., or from the local secretary at the office where appointment is desired. Applications when executed[119] must be filed with the District Secretary at St. Louis, Mo., prior to 4.30 p. m. on the third Monday in October. Applications received after that time will be filed for the next examination.

Examinations for the following offices are held only when eligibles are needed, and application blanks will not be given out until the examinations are announced:

Abilene, Kans.; Alton, Ill.; Ardmore, Ind. T.; Arkansas City, Kans.; Belleville, Ill.; Beloit, Ill.; Cairo, Ill.; Canton, Ill.; Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Carrolton, Mo.; Carthage, Mo.; Centralia, Ill.; Champaign, Ill.; Chanute, Kans.; Charleston, Ill.; Chillicothe, Mo.; Clay Center, Kans.; Clinton, Ill.; Clinton, Mo.; Coffeyville, Kans.; Columbia, Mo.; Concordia, Kans.; Elreno, Okla.; Emporia, Kans.; Enid, Okla.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Fort Scott, Kans.; Fulton, Mo.; Galena, Kans.; Girard, Kans.; Greenville, Ill.; Guthrie, Okla.; Hannibal, Mo.; Helena, Ark.; Hiawatha, Kans.; Hoopeston, Ill.; Hot Springs, Ark.; Hutchinson, Kans.; Independence, Kans.; Independence, Mo.; Iola, Kans.; Jacksonville, Ill.; Jefferson City, Mo.; Jonesboro, Ark.; Junction City, Kans.; Kirksville, Mo.; Lawrence, Kans.; Lawton, Okla.; Leavenworth, Kans.; Lincoln, Ill.; Litchfield, Ill.; Louisiana, Mo.; Macomb, Ill.; Macon, Mo.; Marshall, Mo.; Maryville, Mo.; Manhattan, Kans.; McPherson, Kans.; Matoon, Ill.; Muscogee, Ind. T.; Mount Vernon, Ill.; Mexico, Mo.; Moberly,[120] Mo.; Murphysboro, Ill.; Nevada, Mo.; Newton, Kans.; Olathe, Kans.; Ottawa, Kans.; Pana, Ill.; Paris, Ill.; Parsons, Kans.; Pekin, Ill.; Perry, Okla.; Pine Bluff, Ark.; Pittsburg, Kans.; Poplar Bluff, Mo.; St. Charles, Mo.; Salina, Kans.; Sedalia, Mo.; Shawnee, Okla.; South McAlester, Ind. T.; Taylorville, Ill.; Texarkana, Ark.; Trenton, Mo.; Urbana, Ill.; Warrensburg, Mo.; Webb City, Mo.; Wellington, Kans.; Winfield, Kans.

See Note 2, First District.

TENTH DISTRICT.

Headquarters, New Orleans, La.

Examinations for the following offices are held on the first Wednesday or Saturday after the 15th of November of each year:

Austin, Tex.; Beaumont, Tex.; Dallas, Tex.; El Paso, Tex.; Fort Worth, Tex.; Galveston, Tex.; Houston, Tex.; New Orleans, La.; San Antonio, Tex.; Shreveport, La.; Waco, Tex.

Blank forms of application may be obtained at any time either from the Secretary, Tenth Civil Service District, Custom House, New Orleans, La., or from the local secretary at the office where appointment is desired. Applications when executed must be filed with the District Secretary at New Orleans, La., prior[121] to 4.30 p. m. on the third Monday in October. Applications received after that time will be filed for the next subsequent examination.

At the following offices the names of male eligibles are entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants for those offices must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier:

Dallas, Tex.; Fort Worth, Tex.; Galveston, Tex.; Houston, Tex.; New Orleans, La.; San Antonio, Tex.

See Note 1, First District.

Examinations for the following offices are held only when eligibles are needed, and application blanks will not be given out until the examinations are announced:

Abilene, Tex.; Alexandria, La.; Amarillo, Tex.; Baton Rouge, La.; Bonham, Tex.; Cleburne, Tex.; Corsicana, Tex.; Crowley, La.; Denison, Tex.; Gainesville, Tex.; Greenville, Tex.; Hillsboro, Tex.; Lake Charles, La.; Laredo, Tex.; McKinney, Tex.; Marshall, Tex.; Monroe, La.; New Iberia, La.; Palestine, Tex.; Paris, Tex.; Sherman, Tex.; Temple, Tex.; Terrell, Tex.; Tyler, Tex.; Waxahachie, Tex.; Weatherford, Tex.

See Note 2, First District.

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ELEVENTH DISTRICT.

Headquarters, Denver, Col.

At the following offices the names of male eligibles will be entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants for those offices must indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier:

Colorado Springs, Col.; Denver, Col.; Pueblo, Col.; Salt Lake City, Utah.

See Note 1, First District.

Examinations for the following offices are held, as far as practicable, on the first Wednesday or Saturday after the 15th of November of each year:

Salt Lake City, Utah; Ogden, Utah; Pueblo, Col.; Denver, Col.; Colorado Springs, Col.

Blank forms of application may be obtained at any time from the Secretary of the Board of U. S. Civil Service Examiners, Post Office, Denver, Col., or from the local secretary at the office where appointment is desired. Applications when executed must be filed with the secretary of the board at Denver, Col., prior to 4.30 p. m. on the third Monday in October. Applications received after that time will be filed for the next subsequent examination.

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Examinations for the following offices are held only when eligibles are needed and application blanks are not given out until the examinations are announced:

Albuquerque, N. Mex.; Aspen, Col.; Boulder, Col.; Canon City, Col.; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Cripple Creek, Col.; Durango, Col.; Florence, Col.; Fort Collins, Col.; Grand Junction, Col.; Greeley, Col.; Laramie, Wyo.; Las Vegas, N. Mex.; Leadville, Col.; Logan, Utah; Phoenix, Ariz.; Prescott, Ariz.; Provo City, Utah; Rockyford, Col.; Santa Fe, N. Mex.; Sheridan, Wyo.; Trinidad, Col.; Tucson, Ariz.; Victor, Col.

See Note 2, First District.

TWELFTH DISTRICT.

Headquarters, San Francisco, Cal.

The name of each male eligible for the following-named post offices will be entered on only one register, namely, the clerk or the carrier register, and male applicants must therefore indicate in their applications whether they desire the position of clerk or carrier:

Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Cal.; Butte, Mont.; Portland, Ore.; Seattle, Wash.; Spokane, Wash.; Tacoma, Wash.

See Note 1, First District.

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Examinations for the following-named offices are held, as far as practicable, on the first Wednesday or Saturday after the 15th of November of each year:

Oakland and San Francisco, Cal., to be held in San Francisco; Fresno, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose and Stockton, Cal., in those places, respectively; Butte, Helena, Mont.; Portland, Ore.; Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Wash., in those places, respectively.

Blank forms of application may be obtained at any time either from the secretary of the board, Post Office, San Francisco; the auxiliary secretary at the post office at San Diego, Cal., or from the auxiliary secretary at the office where appointment is desired. The application when executed must be filed with the secretary of the board, Post Office, San Francisco, prior to 4 o’clock p. m., on the third Monday in October. Applications received after that time will be filed for the next subsequent examination.

Examinations for the following offices are held only when eligibles are needed, and application blanks will not be given out until the examinations are announced:

In the State of California: Alameda, Bakersfield, Berkeley, Chico, Eureka, Hanford, Long Beach, Marysville, Napa, Palo Alto, Petaluma, Pomona, Redding, Redlands, Riverside, San Bernardino, San[125] Luis Obispo, San Rafael, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Vallejo, Visalia, Watsonville.

In the State of Nevada: Reno.

Aberdeen, Wash.; Albany, Ore.; Anaconda, Mont.; Astoria, Ore.; Baker City, Ore.; Bellingham, Wash.; Billings, Mont.; Boise, Idaho; Bozeman, Mont.; Eugene, Ore.; Everett, Wash.; Great Falls, Mont.; Kalispell, Mont.; Lewiston, Idaho; Livingston, Mont.; Missoula, Mont.; Moscow, Idaho; North Yakima, Wash.; Olympia, Wash.; Pendleton, Ore.; Pocatello, Idaho; Salem, Ore.; The Dalles, Ore.; Walla Walla, Wash.

See Note 2, First District.


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CHAPTER XIV.

EXAMINATION IN THE FAR EAST.

Regulations Differ from Those in the United States
—Mounted Men in the Island Force.

The Civil Service regulations for the Postal Service in the Philippine Islands vary considerably from those for the United States. There is only one examination—that of letter carrier. Carriers are divided into two classes, mounted and unmounted. The entrance salary of an unmounted carrier is $360. The higher classes are filled by promotion. All the carriers must furnish their own uniforms, as in the United States, while the mounted carriers must provide their own conveyances. Both conveyances and uniforms are subject to inspection and must be approved by the Director of Posts.

The examination consists of tests in spelling, arithmetic, penmanship, copying from plain copy, location of buildings, streets, plazas, etc., in the City of Manila, reading addresses and simple tests in English.

The following is an example of the questions asked by the Philippine examiners in an examination for letter carrier:

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Spelling.—Question, Column, Regular, Possible, Precious, Guardian, Entrance, Separate, Official, Eager, Patience, Position, Exceed, Language, Explain, Business, Receive, Copyist, Certify, Specimen.

Arithmetic.—1. Add the following numbers: 7,820, 140, 616,487, 18,021,762, 5,329,456, 5,647,893, 432,890, 23,578,932, and 45,004. From the sum of these numbers extract 8,641,762.

2. Multiply 794.4 by 450-3/5, and divide the product by 49.65.

3. A clerk received a salary of $720 a year. He spent 3/5 of it for board, 1/4 of the remainder for clothing, and $144 for all other expenses. How much did he save?

4. An open court contains 160 sq. yds. How many stones 9 inches square will be required to pave it? (1,296 sq. in. equals 1 sq. yd.)

5. A Manila grocer imported 1,083 pounds of butter at 39 cents a pound and sold it at 5/13 more than it cost. If his expenses were $36.47, what was his net profit?

Letter Writing.—Two subjects for letter writing are given, and the competitor may select either upon which to write a letter of not less than 125 words. The exercise in letter writing is designed chiefly to test the competitor’s skill in composition.

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Penmanship.—The rating on penmanship is determined by legibility, neatness, rapidity and general appearance, and by correctness and uniformity in the formation of words, letters and punctuation marks in the exercise in copying from plain copy. No particular style of penmanship is preferred.

Copying from Plain Copy.—Candidates were required to make an exact copy of the following:

“The hemp tree in the Philippines reaches an average height of 10 feet. It is a native plant, the stem of which is inclosed in layers of half-round petioles. The hemp fiber is extracted from these petioles, which, when cut down, are separated into strips 5 to 6 inches wide, and drawn under a knife attached at one end by a hinge to a block of wood, while the other end is suspended from the extremity of a flexible stick. The bow tends to raise the knife and a cord attached to the same end of the knife, and a treadle is so arranged that, by a movement of the foot, the operator can bring the knife to work on the hemp petiole with the pressure he chooses.”


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CHAPTER XV.

RULES FOR LETTER CARRIERS.

How Mail Must Be Delivered—Work of Substitutes—
Requirements, Uniforms, Etc.

Letter carriers and substitute letter carriers are appointed by the Postmaster General on the nomination of the postmaster.

Selection of persons for appointment as substitute letter carriers must be made by the postmaster from the carriers’ eligible register in the manner prescribed by the Civil Service Rules and the nominations submitted to the First Assistant Postmaster General (Division of Free Delivery), on Form 1101, together with the certificate for original appointment, Postal Service, Form 145, issued by the local Civil Service Board. When two or more persons are nominated on the same day for appointment as substitute letter carrier, their seniority shall be determined by their standing, or rating, on the eligible register, and not by the order of their selection.

A vacancy in the regular force must be filled by the promotion of the senior substitute, whom the postmaster shall nominate for appointment on Form 1101.[130] When a vacancy occurs in the regular force and there are no substitute letter carriers the nomination for appointment to fill such vacancy shall be made in the manner prescribed in the appointment of substitute letter carriers. The selection of letter carriers and substitute letter carriers at new free delivery offices, upon their establishment, is made from the carriers’ eligible register by the Postmaster General.

When a vacancy occurs or an emergency arises necessitating the immediate appointment of a letter carrier and there are no available substitutes, and the eligible register contains less than three names, the postmaster may nominate, for temporary appointment not to exceed ninety days, any person of good character who is within the age limitations. A postmaster is not required to, but may make a selection from an eligible register containing less than three names.

Reinstatements to the service will only be made in accordance with Rule IX. of the Civil Service Rules. Applications for reinstatement to the service must be made through the postmaster to the First Assistant Postmaster General (Division of Free Delivery). If the application be favorably considered, the First Assistant Postmaster General will make requisition on the Civil Service Commission for a certificate for reinstatement.

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Where an applicant for reinstatement is an honorably discharged soldier or sailor of the late Civil War or war with Spain he must give the number of the company and the regiment in which he served, and, if possible, transmit through the postmaster the certificate of his honorable discharge from the military or naval service.

Transfers from the grade of clerk to that of carrier in the same office may be made, provided they are effected by exchange of positions, and the clerks to be transferred are physically able to perform the duties of a carrier, but transfers from the clerical force to vacancies in the letter carrier force will not be permitted, except in cases where, in the judgment of the First Assistant Postmaster General, the best interests of the service will be subserved.

The transfer of a carrier from one office to another will not be permitted unless it is shown by the sworn statement of a reputable physician that the health of the carrier or of a member of his immediate family requires a change of climate, and that the transfer is desired on that account. Applications for transfer must be indorsed by the postmaster and transmitted by him to the First Assistant Postmaster General (Division of Free Delivery), with a full statement of the circumstances surrounding each case.

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Resignations of letter carriers and substitute letter carriers must be made in writing and forwarded to the First Assistant Postmaster General (Division of Free Delivery). No resignation requested by the postmaster, or by anyone for him, will be accepted.

Letter carriers will not be removed except for just cause, upon written charges filed with the First Assistant Postmaster General (Division of Free Delivery), of which they shall be given due notice and allowed full opportunity for defense. The charges shall specifically set forth alleged delinquency or misconduct, giving the date and place of the occurrence.

Every letter carrier shall give bonds, with sureties, to be approved by the Postmaster General, for the safe custody and delivery of all mail matter, and the faithful account and payment of all money received by him. Each letter carrier and substitute letter carrier shall, at the time of his appointment, give bond in the sum of one thousand dollars. It is preferred that bonds furnished by one of the surety companies authorized to act as sureties on official bonds be given. The original bonds of two or more carriers or substitutes, appointed at the same time, may be given on a blanket or schedule form. Letter carriers transferred from one post office to another, and substitutes promoted to be regular carriers, must file new bonds, their[133] former bonds terminating on the date of such transfer or promotion. A list of the companies authorized to act as sole surety on official bonds will be furnished upon application to the First Assistant Postmaster General (Division of Free Delivery). All bonds of carriers must be filed with the First Assistant Postmaster General (Division of Free Delivery).

Every carrier, before beginning active service, shall take the official oath prescribed in Section 207, which oath will be retained on the files of the local post office, subject to the call of the First Assistant Postmaster General or to inspection by a post office inspector or other officer of the Post Office Department.

Uniforms of Carriers.

The Postmaster General may prescribe a uniform dress to be worn by letter carriers, and any person not connected with the letter carrier branch of the Postal Service who shall wear the uniform which may be prescribed shall for every such offense be punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

Letter carriers and substitutes must procure uniforms at their own expense. Postmasters will advise[134] and assist them in obtaining well-fitting suits of the prescribed material and at the best terms.

Uniforms made according to the following specifications must be worn by all letter carriers:

For Winter Uniform.

Coat.—A double-breasted, square-corner sack coat, with lapels, and made of bluish-gray worsted or serge, terminating two-thirds of the distance from the top of the hipbone to the knee, with a pocket at each side and one on the left breast, all outside, with flaps 2-3/4 to 3 inches wide, with length to suit height of wearer, say, 6-1/2 to 7 inches; coat to be piped with the best grade mohair braid, 1/16 inch projecting, to be inserted between edges; ten brass buttons with the design of this Department (letter carrier in uniform, with mail bag on shoulder and letter in uplifted hand, or present design with letters “P. O. D.” beneath), down the front to button to the neck, and cord piping around the sleeves, 2-1/2 inches from the bottom, to correspond with piping on the edge; two circular buttons (vest size) on sleeve of coat, equidistant below cord on sleeve; on right shoulder a brass hook 1-1/2 inches long by 3/4 inch wide, to be two inches above sleeve seam, to retain strap of mail bag in its[135] position; coat to be lined with a durable all-wool flannel.

Trousers.—Of same material and color of coat, with fine black broadcloth piping, 1/4 inch wide, down the outside seam. Side and two hip pockets, to be made of strong, durable material.

Vest.—A single-breasted vest of same material and color as coat and trousers, with seven circular, brass buttons (vest size), with the letters “P. O. D.” upon the face. Four pockets on outside, two on breast, and two at waist, and one on inside.

Overcoat or Cape.—A reversible cape (detached from the coat) reaching to the cuff of the coat sleeve when the arm is extended, of the same material and color on one side, and gutta-percha cloth on the other side, with five buttons, the same as on the coat, down the front, and bound entirely round with black mohair piping; or an overcoat of the same material and color, trimmed to correspond with the coat, with five brass buttons down the front of the same size and design as the coat button. It shall not be obligatory on the carriers to wear either, but whenever additional covering is needed the postmaster of each city will decide, in accordance with the wishes of the majority of the carriers, which shall be worn, as both must not be worn in the same city.

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For Summer Wear.

Coat.—Single-breasted, straight-front sack, with square corners, skeleton made, of bluish-gray flannel, or a light-weight bluish-gray worsted or serge, and terminating two-thirds distance from top of hipbone to knee, with lapels (medium roll) made to button over the breast; three pockets outside, with flaps, one on each side and one on left breast. Coat to be bound with black mohair piping, 1/16 inch projection, and five buttons down front, four buttons to button, and one at top, under lapel of coat.

Trousers.—Same material and color as coat, with black cloth cord, 1/4 inch wide, down the outside seam. Side and two hip pockets, to be made of strong and durable material.

Vest.—Same material and color as coat and trousers, piped same as coat, with collar cut to open same height as coat, and five regulation buttons down the front. Vest may be omitted in Summer. During the heated term postmasters may permit letter carriers to wear a neat shirt or loose-fitting blouse, instead of coat and vest, the same to be made of light-gray chambray, gingham, light-gray cheviot, or other light-gray washable material, to be worn with turn-down collar, dark tie, and neat belt, all to be uniform at each office. All garments must be sewed with pure-dye sewing[137] silk, and the garments must be finished in a proper and workmanlike manner and goods thoroughly shrunk.

Carriers must be designated by number, and nickel-plated figures nine-sixteenths of an inch in length, surmounted by a metallic wreath, must be worn, on the hat, cap, or helmet, the design and pattern to be uniform at all offices, and to be regarded as a part of the carrier’s uniform.

Length of service as letter carriers shall be indicated on the carrier’s uniforms by stars, as follows:

Five years’ service, one black silk star.

Ten years’ service, two black silk stars.

Fifteen years’ service, one red silk star.

Twenty years’ service, two red silk stars.

Twenty-five years’ service, one silver star.

Thirty years’ service, two silver stars.

Forty years’ service, two gold stars.

All stars will be three-fourths of an inch in diameter and placed one-half inch above black braid on each sleeve, equidistant between seams.

Postmasters of free delivery offices will cause a careful inspection of carriers’ uniforms to be made twice a year. A carrier should not be required to buy a new suit or any part thereof, unless the postmaster, after inspection, decides that it is necessary in order to maintain a uniform and neat appearance of the force.

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Performance of Service.

All letter carriers at free delivery offices shall be entitled to leave of absence, not to exceed fifteen days in each year, without loss of pay. The words “each year” mean fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th, inclusive), and carriers in the service on the first day of July are entitled to receive fifteen days’ vacation, inclusive of Sundays and holidays, at any time during the year when the postmaster can best spare them. Carriers entering the service after the first day of July are entitled to a pro rata leave of absence during the remainder of the fiscal year, equal to one and a quarter days for each month.

Carriers serving as members of the local Civil Service Boards during examinations, as members of the United States Militia of the District of Columbia, or as witnesses for the Government in the United States courts, shall be given leave with full pay during necessary absence occasioned by such service.

Postmasters may, in addition to the leave of absence provided by law, grant a leave of absence without pay to carriers in cases of illness, disability received in the service, or other urgent necessity, such leave not to exceed thirty days. An application for a leave of absence to cover a longer period of time must be made to the First Assistant Postmaster General (Division of[139] Free Delivery) for suspension with loss of pay, or for removal from the service, as the circumstances may require.

When regular carriers are absent from duty for any cause, their places shall be supplied by substitute carriers. The Postmaster General is authorized to employ, when necessary, during the time such fifteen days’ leave of absence is granted to a letter carrier, such number of substitute letter carriers as may be deemed advisable, who shall be paid for the services rendered at the rate of six hundred dollars per annum.

Substitute carriers shall be assigned to duty by the postmaster, or his representative, and must never be called into service by carriers, except in cases of urgent necessity, when it is plainly impossible to notify the postmaster in time, either by telephone or messenger.

Substitute letter carriers will be paid one dollar per annum, payable quarterly. They also receive pay at the rate of $600 per annum when serving in place of carriers who have been granted annual leave of absence. The pro rata salary of carriers for whom they serve who are absent without pay is also given to them, as well as the pro rata salary of carriers who are granted leave of absence with full pay in order that they may serve as members of local Civil Service Boards in conducting examinations, as witnesses for[140] the Government in United States courts, or as members of the United States Militia of the District of Columbia.

When substitutes serve for regular carriers on Sunday and perform the same amount of work the regular carrier would have performed on that day, they receive a full day’s pay.

Hours of Service for Carriers.

Eight hours constitutes a day’s work for letter carriers in cities or postal districts connected therewith, for which they receive the same pay as is paid for a day’s work of a greater number of hours. If any letter carrier is employed a greater number of hours per day than eight he is paid extra for the same in proportion to the salary fixed by law.

Postmasters prepare, for the guidance of carriers in their work, a time schedule made on the basis of eight hours’ work each day, and so arranged as to provide only such time as is absolutely necessary for the legitimate office duties of each carrier. The hours of daily service need not be consecutive. No carrier is scheduled for more work than he can perform during eight hours. Carriers need not be required to consume exactly eight hours each day, but as nearly such time as practicable, considering the varying amount of[141] mail to be handled on different days. Postmasters must not direct or permit carriers to work overtime, and are held accountable therefor.

Letter carriers must not report prior to schedule time for the first trip of the day, nor for the beginning of a trip following a “swing.” Carriers must not remain at their desks nor in the working room of the office during a “swing” or interval between trips, nor during the dinner hour; neither must they remain in the post office after completing the last trip of the day.

Carriers engaged exclusively in the collection service must not remain in the workroom of the office except while depositing and facing the mail collected by them. Carriers must register on the automatic clock register upon reporting, leaving, returning and ending for each trip which begins and ends at the post office. The time from the clock tapes is copied into the time book or pasted into a suitable book and preserved, and constitutes the official record of time. Should the clock register be out of order the time recorded by carriers on their daily trip reports is entered in the time book. One carrier must not register on the clock for another. If this rule is violated both the carriers concerned will be removed.

The time of reporting, leaving, returning and ending for each trip must also be recorded by the carriers[142] on their daily trip reports; the entries on these reports must be made at the beginning and end of each trip, and must not be deferred until the close of the day. When collections are made in the morning, on the carrier’s way to the office, the first and second entries on the trip report must be the time of opening the first box. When a carrier completes his delivery on his route and does not return to the post office the time recorded on his trip report for returning and ending on that trip must be the time of his last piece of mail.

Where carriers are unable to deliver all mail matter taken out on the last trip of the day without making overtime, they must return to the post office within the eight hours prescribed with the understanding that they make a full report to the superintendent of the station, and a full statement will also be made on the trip report of the day. Carriers are required to deliver all mail taken out on the earlier trips, even though such delivery necessitates exceeding the time allowed by the schedules for such trips, unless collections are made for an important dispatch, in which event the latter must be met and mail remaining undelivered will be delivered on the following trip.

Every letter carrier must keep a route book, which should be a complete directory of the persons served by him, and all changes of address should be posted[143] daily. Carriers must record daily in their log books the disposition made of all undelivered mail. The forwarding of mail, and notifying publishers of changes of address is clerical work, and should not be performed by carriers.

Carriers are not permitted to perform clerical work. Their work must be confined to the collection and delivery of mail; the routing of mail for delivery; the making up or “logging” of undelivered matter; receipting for and the recording of registered mail; posting route books; the facing of mail collected by them, and, at offices where hand-feed canceling machines are used, the facing of mail directly into such machines, and to duty at carriers’ delivery windows.

In the performance of their duties letter carriers must be civil, prompt and obliging. Carriers must attend quietly and diligently to their duties, and under no circumstances must they loiter or stop to converse on their routes, and they must refrain from loud talking, profane language, and smoking in the office or on their routes.

Carriers must not solicit, in person or through others, contributions of money, gifts, or presents; issue addresses, complimentary cards, prints, publications, or any substitute therefor intended or calculated to induce the public to make them gifts or presents; distribute,[144] offer for sale, or collect the proceeds of the sale of tickets to theatres, balls, concerts, fairs, or any other entertainment; issue for profit souvenirs or postal handbooks, or in any manner co-operate with or assist the publishers of souvenirs or postal handbooks to secure the patronage of the public; compile city directories for public use or assist publishers to compile the same; borrow money from patrons on their routes; or contract debts which they have no reasonable prospect of being able to pay.

Carriers must not engage in any business during their prescribed hours of service, or conduct any business after hours which offers the temptation to solicit patronage on their routes, or which, by reason of their position in the Government service, gives them special advantage over competitors, such as book canvassing, soliciting insurance, selling sewing machines, or other kindred occupations.

Letter carriers may be reprimanded, suspended with loss of pay, or removed from the service for infractions of the Postal Laws and Regulations, of orders of the Department, and of orders of postmasters not inconsistent therewith, as the nature or gravity of the offenses may require. All reprimands and suspensions must be reported to the First Assistant Postmaster General (Division of Free Delivery) for approval and entry in the carriers’ efficiency record.


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CHAPTER XVI.

DELIVERY AND COLLECTING OF MAIL BY CARRIERS.

The regulations as to the delivery of mail matter will apply to the delivery of such matter by letter carriers, except where inapplicable or as otherwise modified.

Carriers must be careful to deliver mail to the persons for whom it is intended, or to some one authorized to receive it. They will, in case of doubt, make inquiry with the view of ascertaining the owner. Failing in this, the mail will be returned to the office, to be disposed of as the postmaster may direct. Carriers must not deliver mail matter to patrons in the street, unless such delivery can be made without unreasonable delay. Mail matter must not be delivered by carriers in boxes or other receptacles which are not occupied in whole or in part by the addressees unless expressly ordered by the postmaster.

Carriers must not throw mail matter into windows or halls, unless specially instructed to do so. They must ring the bell, wait a reasonable time for an answer, and deliver the mail to some one of the household[146] in the habit of receiving it. Patrons who repeatedly fail to respond promptly to the carrier’s ring must be reported to the postmaster. Carriers must not enter any house while on their trips, except in the discharge of their official duties. Mail matter must not be delivered by carriers which has not passed through the post office or station with which they are connected. Mail matter intrusted to carriers must not be exhibited to persons other than those addressed, except on the order of the postmaster or some one authorized to act for him. Letters for delivery must not be carried by carriers in their pockets. Carriers must not deviate from the respective routes. Carriers must not stop for their meals while on their trips. Carriers must not throw away or improperly dispose of mail matter, however trifling or unimportant it may appear to them. Stamps must not be removed from mail matter of any class whatever intrusted to carriers for delivery or collected by them for mailing.

Mounted carriers must dismount and deliver the mail at the doors of residences, except in cases where the patrons on their routes consent to respond to their call and receive the mail at the sidewalk. Carriers are not required to deliver mail at residences where vicious dogs are permitted to run at large. Persons keeping such dogs must call at the post office for their mail.

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Carriers must collect and promptly return to the postmaster all postage due on mail intrusted to them for delivery, as indicated by the postage-due stamps attached. Such mail matter must not be delivered until the postage due shall have been paid.

When carriers making collections from letter boxes find that it will be impossible on any one trip to carry to the post office the contents of all the boxes on their routes, preference must be given to mail matter of the first class. Newspapers and packages placed on the tops of letter boxes should be collected when it can be done without overloading the mail sacks and preventing the prompt collection of mail matter properly deposited in the boxes.

Carriers must, while on their routes, receive letters with postage stamps affixed, handed them for mailing, but they should not delay the deliveries by waiting for such letters. Money to pay postage on letters handed them for mailing must not be accepted, except as provided for in the use of the stamp-selling envelope in connection with house-to-house delivery and collection boxes.

Carriers should also receive other small articles of mailable matter with postage properly prepaid, but they should refuse to receive packages that are cumbersome on account of size, shape or weight, especially[148] when the carrying of such packages would interfere with the prompt delivery of mail and the collections from letter boxes.

Carriers must receive and register all letters and packages of first-class matter that are not cumbersome on account of size, shape or weight, and properly offered them for registration, and must give the regulation receipt therefor. Carriers must encourage the registration of valuable first-class matter by patrons on their routes.

Postmasters may permit carriers to sell postage stamps or stamped envelopes in limited quantities; but their deliveries or collections must not be delayed in making change.

Carriers must not return, under any circumstances, to any person, any letter or letters, said to have been deposited in a letter box, or which have come into the custody of the carrier in a regular way. An applicant for the return of such mail should be directed to the postmaster.

After the last daily delivery carriers must return to the post office or station with which they are connected their satchels and all mail that can not be delivered. Carriers may be permitted to take their satchels home with them direct from their routes[149] when, in the opinion of the postmaster, the interests of the service will be promoted thereby, but undelivered mail matter remaining in satchels must first be deposited in the nearest letter box.


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CHAPTER XVII.

SPECIAL DELIVERY MESSENGERS.

Chance for Boys from Thirteen Years of Age to
Enter Post Office Service.

The Postmaster General may, in his discretion, require the delivery of special delivery matter to be made entirely by special messengers. In New York City, however, this is done solely by employes in the service. At free delivery offices postmasters will, from time to time, employ as many messengers as in their judgment may be necessary to secure prompt delivery of special matter. None but trustworthy boys over 13 years of age should be employed. The force of special delivery messengers in each office should be so arranged that a suitable number may always be on hand to secure immediate delivery of all special delivery matter at any time within the prescribed hour of the day.

Each messenger, before entering upon his duties, must take the oath prescribed by law on the blank furnished. Substitute letter carriers, when not on duty in place of regular carriers, may be employed as messengers in the special delivery service, and receive[151] the same compensation as other messengers; but such employment must not interfere with the work of the post office or free delivery.

Where delivery of special delivery matter can not be promptly made by regular special delivery messengers, postmasters may cause such delivery to be made by any regular clerk or employe, who will be allowed the same compensation, and be paid and give receipt therefore in the same manner as regular messengers.

Any person employed to make immediate delivery of letters or other mail matter, shall be deemed an employee of the Postal Service, whether he may have been sworn or not, or temporarily or permanently employed, and as such employee shall be liable to any penalties or punishments provided by law for the improper detention, delay, secretion, rifling, embezzlement, purloining or destruction of any letter or other article of mail matter, or the contents thereof, intrusted to him for delivery or placed in his custody.

Combinations or arrangements between special delivery messengers with a view to securing a division of the total permissible compensation of the month are forbidden; and postmasters should, by distribution of work and assignment of hours of duty, equalize as far as practicable the compensation of messengers. A messenger should not always be assigned to duty during[152] the same periods of each day; but changes will be made from time to time, whereby a messenger employed during the busy hours of one day may be assigned to the duller hours of another day.

Orderly conduct of special delivery messengers while in the office and on their trips is strictly enforced; and no messenger will be retained who is not diligent and well-behaved. A special place is provided in the post office for the accommodation of the messengers, and it is so arranged as to prevent their access to other parts of the office, and to mail matter other than that in which they are immediately concerned.

Special delivery messengers need not be uniformed, except in such special cases as may be ordered, but they should all be decently and comfortably clad. Substitute letter-carriers, when employed as messengers for special delivery, may wear their carrier uniforms.

Messengers are paid at the rate of not exceeding eight cents for each piece delivered, or attempted to be delivered.

Each messenger is furnished with a delivery book, in which must be entered the number and address of each piece of matter received for delivery, the date and hour of its receipt by the messenger, and the amount of postage due thereon. The receipt of the person to whom any special delivery matter is delivered[153] must be taken in the blank space provided for this purpose in the delivery book. Delivery books will be kept in the post office when not in use, and messengers must promptly return them to the office after every tour. Whenever for any cause a book is no longer used, it will be filed in the post office.


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CHAPTER XVIII.

THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL OF THE
POSTAL SERVICE.

A former learned wit of the Post Office Department, cogitating over, upon, under, and between, the multifarious and abstruse problems submitted for adjudication, evolved the following gems of keen, mental penetration. That:

Feather beds are not mailable.

A stamp of the foot is not sufficient to carry a letter.

A pair of onions will go for two cents.

Persons are compelled to lick their own postage stamps; the postmaster cannot be compelled to do this.

Nitro-glycerine must be forwarded at the risk of the sender. If it should blow up in the postmaster’s hands he cannot be held responsible.

When candy is sent through the mails it is earnestly requested that both ends of the package be left open, so that the employees of the post office may test its quality.

John Smith gets his mail from 674,279 post offices, hence a letter directed to John Smith, United States, will reach him.

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Poems on “Spring, Spring, the Beautiful Spring,” and “The Beautiful Snow, with its White Efulgent Glow,” are rigidly excluded from the mails. (This is to catch the editorial vote).

It is earnestly requested that lovers writing to their sweethearts will please confine their gushing rhapsodies to the inside of the envelope.

Ducks cannot be sent through the mails alive. Their discordant, vociferous greetings are apt to disturb the slumbers of the clerks.

It is unsafe to send fruit-laden trees through the mails; clerks are known to have a weakness for such things.


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CHAPTER XIX.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

A Declaration by the Representatives of the United
States of America, in Congress Assembled.

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident—that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundations on[157] such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present king of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

1. He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

2. He has forbidden his government to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operations till his assent should be obtained;[158] and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

3. He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the Legislature—a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only.

4. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the repository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

5. He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people.

6. He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the State remaining, in the meantime, exposed to the dangers of invasions from without, and convulsions within.

7. He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the laws for the naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

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8. He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

9. He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

10. He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

11. He has kept among us in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our Legislatures.

12. He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.

13. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitutions, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:—

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us;

For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these States;

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world;

For imposing taxes on us without our consent;

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of a trial by jury;

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For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended offences;

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies;

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering, fundamentally, the forms of our governments;

For suspending our own Legislatures and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

14. He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

15. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns and destroyed the lives of our people.

16. He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

17. He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

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18. He has excited domestic insurrection among us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in our attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their Legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They, too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind—enemies in war; in peace, friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America in general Congress assembled, appealing[162] to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved, and that, as free and independent States, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.


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CHAPTER XX.

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

We, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article I.—Legislative Department.

Section I.—All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section II.—Clause 1. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several States, and the electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature.

Clause 2. No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty-five years,[164] and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Clause 3. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three; Massachusetts, eight; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, one; Connecticut, five; New York, six; New Jersey, four; Pennsylvania, eight; Delaware, one; Maryland, six; Virginia, ten; North Carolina, five; South Carolina, five; and Georgia, three.

Clause 4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.

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Clause 5. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment.

Section III.—Clause 1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.

Clause 2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes. The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year; of the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year; and of the third class, at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.

Clause 3. No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

Clause 4. The Vice-President of the United States[166] shall be president of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.

Clause 5. The Senate shall choose their other officers and also a President “pro tempore,” in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States.

Clause 6. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments: when sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.

Clause 7. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States; but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.

Section IV.—Clause 1. The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.

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Clause 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such, meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section V.—Clause 1. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties, as each house may provide.

Clause 2. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.

Clause 3. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house on any question shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.

Clause 4. Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.

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Section VI.—Clause 1. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place.

Clause 2. No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased, during such time; and no person holding any office under the United States shall be a member of either house during his continuance in office.

Section VII.—Clause 1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments, as on other bills.

Clause 2. Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States; if he approve, he shall sign it, but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the[169] objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sunday excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.

Clause 3. Every order, resolution or vote, to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment), shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.

Section VIII.—Clause 1. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and[170] excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

Clause 2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

Clause 3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes;

Clause 4. To establish an uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States;

Clause 5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures;

Clause 6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States;

Clause 7. To establish post offices and post roads;

Clause 8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;

Clause 9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;

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Clause 10. To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offences against the law of nations;

Clause 11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;

Clause 12. To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years;

Clause 13. To provide and maintain a navy;

Clause 14. To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;

Clause 15. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions;

Clause 16. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

Clause 17. To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States, and to exercise like[172] authority over all places purchased by the consent of the Legislature of the State in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful buildings;—And

Clause 18. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.

Section IX.—Clause 1. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person.

Clause 2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.

Clause 3. No bill of attainder or ex-post-facto law shall be passed.

Clause 4. No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

Clause 5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State.

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Clause 6. No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one State over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another.

Clause 7. No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.

Clause 8. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; And no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince or foreign state.

Section X.—Clause 1. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex-post-facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.

Clause 2. No State shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for[174] executing its inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any State on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress.

Clause 3. No State shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships-of-war, in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.

Article II.—Executive Department.

Section I.—Clause 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice-President, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows:

Clause 2. Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a number of Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress; but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States shall be appointed an Elector.

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[Clause 3. The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a list of all of the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each; which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the president of the Senate. The president of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one, who have such majority, and have an equal number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately choose, by ballot, one of them for President; and if no person have a majority, then, from the five highest on the list, the said House shall, in like manner, choose the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representation from each State having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the President, the person having the greatest number of[176] votes of the Electors shall be the Vice-President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them, by ballot, the Vice-President.]

The foregoing Clause is obsolete. It was repealed in 1804. It is quoted here merely for reference. Article XII. of the Amendments replaces it in the Constitution, and is here inserted instead of the original Clause.

Amendment, Article XII.—The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President; and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the president of the Senate;—the president of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted;—the person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such[177] number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representation from each State having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of[178] President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

Clause 4. The Congress may determine the time of choosing the Electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes; which day shall be the same throughout the United States.

Clause 5. No person except a natural-born citizen, [or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution,] shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years resident within the United States.

The matter enclosed in brackets is obsolete.

Clause 6. In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice-President, and the Congress may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the President and Vice-President, declaring what officer shall then act as President; and such officer shall act accordingly until the disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

Clause 7. The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services a compensation which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period[179] for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Clause 8. Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:—“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Section II.—Clause 1. The President shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices; and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.

Clause 2. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme[180] Court, and all other officers of the United States whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law; but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers as they think proper, in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.

Clause 3. The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.

Section III.—He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.

Section IV.—The President, Vice-President, and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

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Article III.—Judicial Department.

Section I.—The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the Supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office:

Section II.—Clause 1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;—to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls;—to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;—to controversies to which the United States shall be a party;—to controversies between two or more States, to controversies between a State and citizens of another State;—between citizens of different States;—between citizens of the same State claiming lands under grants of different States, and between a State, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens, or subjects.

Clause 2. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a State shall be a party, the Supreme Court shall have[182] original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.

Clause 3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury, and such trial shall be held in the State where the said crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have directed.

Section III.—Clause 1. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.

Clause 2. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

Clause 3. The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason; but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted.

Article IV.—General Provisions.

Section I.—Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to the public acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other State; and the Congress may[183] by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.

Section II.—Clause 1. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States.

Clause 2. A person charged by any State with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall, on demand of the executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime.

Clause 3. No person held to service or labor in one State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due.

N. B.—Clause 3 is obsolete.

Section III.—Clause 1. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

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Clause 2. The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section IV.—The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion, and on application of the Legislature, or of the executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence.

Article V.—Power of Amendment.

The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed, by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred[185] and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no State, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.

Article VI.—Miscellaneous Provisions.

Clause 1. All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid as against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

Clause 2. This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

Clause 3. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

[186]

Article VII.—Ratification of the Constitution.

The ratification of the conventions of nine States shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same.

Done in convention, by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the twelfth.


[187]

CHAPTER XXI.

AMENDMENTS

To the Constitution of the United States, Ratified
According to the Provisions of the Fifth
Article of the Foregoing Constitution.

Article I.—Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of the speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for redress of grievances.

Article II.—A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Article III.—No soldiers shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Article IV.—The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,[188] supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Article V.—No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war and public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor to be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Article VI.—In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence.

Article VII.—In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the[189] right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rules of the common law.

Article VIII.—Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Article IX.—The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Article X.—The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Article XI.—The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecute against one of the United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.

Article XII.—See page 176.

Article XIII.—Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the person shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

[190]

Article XIV.—Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Section 2. Representatives shall be appointed among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of Electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the executive or judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged except for participation in rebellion or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

[191]

Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or Elector of President or Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State Legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disability.

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and void.

Section 5. Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Article XV.—Section 1. The rights of citizens of[192] the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.


[193]

CHAPTER XXII.

STATIONS
of the
POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N. Y.

CARRIER STATIONS.

* Postal Savings Depository.

[196]

Brooklyn.


INDEX

ADDRESSES—Page
Reading of50
APPLICATIONS—
Questions to be Filled Out In30
Where and How to Obtain20
APPOINTMENTS AND SALARIES15
ARITHMETIC46, 54, 60, 69
BONDED—
Clerks and Carriers are14, 132
BROOKLYN—
Carrier Stations In196
CANDIDATES—
What is Required of Them11
CAPITAL LETTERS—
Use of84
CARRIERS—
Delivery and Collection of Mail by145
Hours of Service140
Moral Responsibility of18
Performance of Service of138
Rules for129
“Stars” for137
“Subbing” of139
Uniform of133
CRADLE DAYS OF THE P. O. SERVICE5
CLERKS—
Promotion of15, 24
Bonded14
Resignation of17
“Subs”18
COMPETITORS—
How Judged86
CONSTITUTION OF THE U. S.163
Amendments to187
COPYING—
From Plain Copy49
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE156
DECIMALS—
Operation of54
DISTRICT REGULATIONS95
EDUCATIONAL TEST43
EXAMINATIONS—
In Far East126
Problems, In Earlier47
Subjects of44
ELIGIBLE REGISTER88
FRANKLIN—
First Postmaster General8
FINES FOR VIOLATING RULES17
INDEPENDENCE, DECLARATION OF156
INSTRUCTION—
Courses of52
LABOR—
Hours of16
LAW AND GOSPEL OF P. O. SERVICE154
LETTER WRITING48
MEDICAL CERTIFICATES39
MESSENGER—
Special Delivery150
MORGAN, EDWARD M. (Frontispiece)6
NEW YORK—
Carrier Stations In193
NEW YORK’S POST OFFICE—
First Post Office7
History of6
State Offices In25
PENMANSHIP49
POSTAL SERVICE—
History of N. Y.7
Law and Gospel of154
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS12
PROMOTION—
For Good Clerks14, 24
PUNCTUATION—
Rules of80
QUESTIONS—
Earlier Examination43, 47
To be Filled Out in Application30
RATING—
Rules for90
REINSTATEMENT17, 130
REGULATIONS, DISTRICT95
RESIGNATIONS132
RULES—
Violations of17
For Letter Carriers129
SALARIES AND APPOINTMENTS15
“STARS” FOR CARRIERS137
SERVICE—
Performance of138
SPELLING45
SPECIAL DELIVERY MESSENGERS150
“SUBS”18, 139
TRANSFERS24, 131
UNIFORM OF LETTER CARRIERS133
VACANCIES130
VOUCHERS36

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources.

Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained, for example, subserved; employe; inclosed; efulgent; sufferable; repassed.


Pg 7: ‘inhabitants. The’ replaced by ‘inhabitants, the’.
Pg 8: ‘the recipts for’ replaced by ‘the receipts for’.
Pg 27: ‘Port Plain’ replaced by ‘Fort Plain’.
Pg 30: ‘sworn statments’ replaced by ‘sworn statements’.
Pg 32: ‘different braches’ replaced by ‘different branches’.
Pg 40: ‘any deformiy’ replaced by ‘any deformity’.
Pg 49: ‘by legability’ replaced by ‘by legibility’.
Pg 50: ‘action therupon’ replaced by ‘action thereupon’.
Pg 63: ‘Generally MXm = p’ replaced by ‘Generally M × m = p’.
Pg 64: ‘7 + 7 = 49’ replaced by ‘7 × 7 = 49’.
Pg 66: ‘divisable by 8’ replaced by ‘divisible by 8’.
Pg 79: ‘tens collumn’ replaced by ‘tens column’.
Pg 92: ‘letter writting’ replaced by ‘letter writing’.
Pg 98: ‘Bennnigton, Vt.’ replaced by ‘Bennington, Vt.’.
Pg 101: Two lines were transposed. The line ‘kers, N. Y.’ has been
moved to the correct place.
Pg 109: ‘followng offices’ replaced by ‘following offices’.
Pg 109: ‘Meridan, Miss.’ replaced by ‘Meridian, Miss.’.
Pg 118: ‘Witchita, Kans.’ replaced by ‘Wichita, Kans.’.
Pg 145: ‘adressees unless’ replaced by ‘addressees unless’.
Pg 146: ‘at the sidwalk’ replaced by ‘at the sidewalk’.
Pg 151: ‘total permissable’ replaced by ‘total permissible’.
Pg 154: ‘abstruce problems’ replaced by ‘abstruse problems’.
Pg 160: ‘death, desolution’ replaced by ‘death, desolation’.
Pg 164: ‘Deleware, one’ replaced by ‘Delaware, one’.
Pg 177: ‘But person’ replaced by ‘But no person’.
Pg 195: ‘5233 Boardway’ replaced by ‘5233 Broadway’.