State under the United States laws are tried by courts similar to those of the State. The lowest regular courts of the United States are the district courts, of which there are some sixty throughout the Union. Pennsylvania has two, one for the eastern part of the State and one for the western. The former holds its sessions at Philadelphia; the latter, at Pittsburg. A judge is appointed by the President for each district. The next highest United States courts are the circuit courts, of which there are nine, the entire Union being divided into nine judicial districts. For each of these also, the President appoints two or three judges; besides, the nine justices of the Supreme Court, whose sessions are held at Washington, must distribute the nine circuits among themselves and hold a court at least once in two years in each of them. The circuit whose jurisdiction extends over our State is the Third and comprises Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Deleware. Its sessions for Pennsylvania are held at Philadelphia, Scranton, Williamsport, Erie and Pittsburg.

The Officers of the U. S. Courts Resident in the State.For the district court and for the circuit court, in the State, clerks are appointed by the respective judges. Thus there is a clerk resident in Philadelphia and Pittsburg each for the two district courts in the State and one in each of the four cities in which the circuit court holds its sessions. They have charge of the seal, records and papers of the court.

A district attorney is appointed by the President for each of the two district courts for a term of four years. It is his duty to prosecute in his district, both in the circuit and district court, all criminals and offenders under the authority of the United States, and to represent the United States in all cases where it is a party.

The President also appoints a marshal for a term of four years, whose territorial jurisdiction is identical with that of the district attorney. It is his duty to serve and execute all processes and orders issued by the United States courts in his district. The duties of the marshal are like those of the sheriff in the county, or the constable in the township. He may appoint deputies for permanent or temporary service.

Another important officer of the United States courts is the commissioner. Each circuit judge has power to appoint as many persons of good judgment to this office as he may deem necessary in his district. Their chief duty is to take evidence for the trial of cases and to arrest and hold for trial persons accused of crime against the United States. A justice of the peace or an alderman may act as a commissioner; in which case, though a State officer at the time of making an arrest for the United States government, he is a United States officer and is responsible to the latter government for his acts. This is a very necessary provision; for if the United States mail, for instance, is robbed, it is important that the nearest justice of the peace should have power to issue a warrant for the arrest of the criminal.

The jurors for the district and circuit courts are selected from the various counties comprising the judicial district. Two commissioners in each district make the selection. The grand jury is composed of not less than sixteen nor more than twenty-three men; the traverse jury, of twelve. A man cannot be summoned oftener than once in two years to act as juror of the federal courts.

The Jurisdiction of the United States Courts.-Most of the crimes and offenses against the United States may be tried in either the district or the circuit court-capital

crimes only in the latter. Suits about patents or inventions and the copyrights of books, must be brought for trial before the circuit court, likewise suits between citizens of different States and suits under the revenue and postal laws. Appeals from the district courts are made mostly to the circuit court, in some instances to the Supreme Court. Appeals from the circuit court are made to the Supreme Court.

ITS POSTAL SERVICE.

History of the Service.-The most extensive business of the State and of the United States is the postal service. Before the 17th century, governments did not carry private letters; the business was done by individuals, just as any other business. About the time of the settlement of the American colonies, the government system of carrying mail was introduced in England; but it was not until 1704 that anything was done for the colonies in that direction. In that year, the office of postmaster-general for America was created. It remained however for Benjamin Franklin, who was made deputy postmaster-general in 1753, to make the system worth anything. Under his management it paid all expenses and a surplus and therefore became a fixed and popular thing in the colonies. In 1775 the Continental Congress organized a system independent of the British and appointed Franklin postmaster-general; and when the Constitution had been adopted, Congress recognized the Post Office Department as already existing and no law was passed to create it. Its head however did not become a member of the Cabinet before Jackson's administration.

Offenses Against the Postal Laws.-As the government has undertaken to carry the mail of the people as cheaply

as possible, it must protect itself by law against competition and against fraud. To this end a penalty is attached to a number of acts, of which the following are the most liable to be committed:

(a.) Using stamps in payment of postage which have been previously used for like purposes.

(b.) Fraudulent attempt to evade the payment of postage.

(c.) Establishing private express for the conveyance of letters or packets, or aiding therein.

(d.) Sending letters by private express or delivering them for transmission thereby.

(e.) Carrying letters out of mails or securing them for such purpose.

(f.) Intercepting or secreting letters.

(g.) Selling stamps for more or less than the lawful price.

(h.) Sending anything indecent.

(i.) Doing any kind of lottery business. (j) Etc.

Classification of Mail Matter.-There are four classes of mail matter. The first class consists of written matter,letters and postal cards,—and all matter wholly or partly in writing. Typewritten letters are included, unless they are of the nature of a circular. No writing or printing is allowed on the address side of a postal, nor may anything except an address label be posted or attached to it. The postage on this class is 2 cents for each ounce or fraction thereof. The second class consists of newspapers and all other periodicals which are issued at stated intervals, at least four times a year. The postage is 1 cent a pound or fraction thereof. Weekly newspapers within the county of publication are free, except when addressed to

a free delivery office therein. Newspapers and periodicals sent by others than the publisher or news agent, must be stamped at the rate of 1 cent for each 4 ounces or fraction thereof. The third class includes all other printed matter; such as, books, circulars, proof sheets, etc. The rate of postage is 1 cent for each 2 ounces or fraction thereof. Seeds, cuttings, roots, scions, and plants are sent at this rate also. The fourth class embraces all other matter of a nature not liable to destroy, deface, or otherwise damage the contents of the mail bag, or harm the person of anyone engaged in the postal service. The packages must not exceed 4 pounds, except for a single book, which may weigh more. The postage

is 1 cent an ounce.

Classification of Postmasters.-The classification of postmasters is made on the basis of salary received by them. The first class embraces those whose annual salaries are $3,000 and upward; the second class, those whose annual salaries are between $2,000 and $3,000; the third class, those whose annual salaries are between $1,000 and $2,000; the fourth class, those whose annual compensation, exclusive of their commissions on the money-order business, amounts to less than $1,000. The salaries of the first three classes are graded on the gross receipts of the offices. Offices doing from $1,900 to $8,000 business pay from $1,000 to $1,900 salary; from $8,000 to $40,000, $2,000 to $2,900 salary; from $40,000 to $600,000 and upwards, salary $3,000 to $6,000. The postmaster of New York city gets $8,000, irrespective of the foregoing grading. Fourth class postmasters are paid upon the basis of box rents collected and stamps canceled on matter actually mailed at their offices. They get all the box rent, and a commission on stamps canceled. If their