
    WILLIAM WILSON v. THE UNITED STATES.
    (26 C. Cls. R., 186; 144 U. S. R., 24.)
    
      On the defendants’ Appeal.
    
    A postmaster of the fourth-class is entitled by increase of compensation to hecomes a postmaster of the third-class. The Postmaster-General assigns his office to the third-class and fixes the salary; but the President does not then nominate him as postmaster of the third class.
    The court below decides:
    Where the compensation of a postmaster of the fourth class has reached $250 for four consecutive quarters and the Postmaster-General has assigned the office to the third-class and fixed the salary accordingly, the case comes within the Act 3d March, 1883 (22 Stat. L., 602), and the postmaster is entitled to the increased pay though not appointed by the President as a postmaster of the third-class.
    A regulation of the Post-Office Department only expresses the departmental construction of the statute which it carries into effect. It has not the force of law.
    The Act 3d March, 1883 (22 Stat. L., 602), does not change the classification of postmasters, but does increase the compensation of fourth class postmasters in certain cases.
    Postmasters, however appointed remain postmasters of their offices however changed in class; but salaries depend upon the revenue of the office.
    The decision of the court below is affirmed on the same grounds.
   Mr. Justice Lamar

delivered the opinion of the Supreme Court, March 14, 1892.  