Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 5.djvu/118



each year, by postmasters, out of the proceeds of their offices, towards the expenses of the Department, under each of the heads of the said expenses specified in the second section of this act; upon which the Postmaster General shall issue warrants to the Treasurer of the United States, as in case of the receipt and payment of the said moneys into and out of the Treasury, in order that the same may be carried to the credit and debit of the appropriation for the service of the Post Office Department, on the books of the auditor for said Department.

. And be it further enacted, That the Postmaster General shall, within sixty days after the making of any contract, cause a duplicate thereof to be lodged in the office of the auditor of the Post Office Department. Upon the death, resignation, or removal of any postmaster, he shall cause his bond of office to be delivered to the said auditor; and shall also cause to be promptly certified to him all establishments and discontinuances of post offices, and all appointments, deaths, resignations, and removals of postmasters, together with all orders and regulations which may originate a claim, or in any manner affect the accounts of the Department.

. And be it further enacted, That the accounts of the Post Office Department shall be kept in such manner as to exhibit the amounts of its revenues, derived respectively from “letter postages,” “newspapers and pamphlets,” and “fines;” and the amount of its expenditures for each of the following objects, namely: “compensation of postmasters,” “transportation of the mails,” “ship, steamboat, and way letters,” “wrapping paper,” “office furniture,” “advertising,” “mail bags,” “blanks, mail locks, keys, and stamps,” “mail depredations and special agents,” “clerks for offices,” and “miscellaneous.”

. And be it further enacted, That the bonds and contracts of postmasters, mail contractors, and other agents of the Post Office Department, shall hereafter be made to and with the United States of America; and all suits to be commenced for the recovery of debts or balances due by postmasters and others, or upon bonds or contracts made to or with the present or any former Postmaster General, or for any fines, penalties, or forfeitures, imposed by the laws respecting the Post Office Department, or by the Postmaster General, pursuant thereto, shall be instituted in the name of the United States of America; and the demands in such suits shall have all the privileges and priorities in adjudication and payment secured to other claims of the United States, by the existing laws: Provided, That actions and suits which may have been instituted in the name of the Postmaster General, previous to the passage of this act, shall not be affected by the provisions of this section.

. And be it further enacted, That the auditor for the Post Office Department shall superintend the collection of all debts due to the Department, and all penalties and forfeitures imposed on postmasters, for failing to make returns, or pay over the proceeds of their offices; he shall direct suits and legal proceedings, and take all such measures as may be authorized by law, to enforce the prompt payment of moneys due to the Department.

. And be it further enacted, That copies of the quarterly returns of postmasters, and of any papers pertaining to the accounts in the office of the auditor of the Post Office Department, certified by him under his seal of office, shall be admitted as evidence in the courts of the United States; and in every case of delinquency of any postmaster or contractor, in which suit may be brought, the said auditor shall forward to the attorney of the United States certified copies of all papers in his office, tending to sustain the claim; and in every such case, a statement of the account, certified as aforesaid, shall be admitted as evidence; and the court trying the cause shall be thereupon