The Rock Island Argus., 1883-07-06

was abolished; that is, the law to that effect
win be put in force from the first of July.
All tobacco stamps that were
printed before the law was passed
had TO be changed to conform
to the provisions of the new law. That
made additional work for the Bureau OF
Engraving and Printing The altera-
ton was printed across the face of stamp
and they were reissued just as if they
were new. With the bank stamps it is
different. Many of the banks have their
own checks and drafts with the stamps
printed upon them. These are made into
books, some of which are gotten up on a
very elaborate scale Most of the banks
do not like to lose the checks, though the
stamps printed on them are worthless,
and the department has consented 10 re-
turn the books after canceling the stamps
and noting the amount of rebate. The
number of stamps in each book is first
counted by an expert from the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing and account
thereof taken The books are then pass
ed to ladies at the long tables before men
toned, who with a small hand stamp,
print the word Cancelled across the face
of the stamp, and the book of checks is
ready to go back to the bank from whence
it came One of the employees said that
over /, ,000.0 bank stamps have thus far
been Cancelled in this way, and there are
probably several millions more to be dis
posed of in the same manner.
The shadow of former greatness as re
presented in the person of Roscoe Conk-
ling lowered about the city few days
recently, and of course all the newspaper
men made an effortto pump him for some
kind of sensation. Upon being asked
whether he had really undertaken TO write
book 10 come out along with Blaiue's
as reported, Mr.. Conkling said; No.
have neither the time nor the inclination
to write book have too much else TO
to attend to. Why, l never thought OF
such a thing" The austere statesman is
growing old rapidly, and his pointed Ven
etian heard is full of gray He says he
is out of politics, and too poor TO get in
again; but he discussed certain measures
Of the administration with good deal OF
his caustic manner asked him if he
had called on the President, and he said
he had not. as he had no business to
transact at the White house, and he had
no time to 90 where business did not take
him He is a very keen observer of events
should Judge, and is observing Tho
course of his old friendia the White house
with a good de / of interest, not eatirely
unmixed with gentle astonishment. lie
spoke with enthusiasm of the might and
power Of the west, and said he had beer
to st Loeis for the first time, and that il
seemed to have more of the clements o
future greatness than auy city in the
west. He thought the great railroad!
centering there would make it the depot
for al the vast regions beyond it, nov
opening up so rapidlys and promising to
grow in wealth and power beyond any
thing in the history of the country. Vi
on general political matters Mr. Conklin9
was silent. He said he was tired of tht
jealou'sies and worry of political life, ant
that it was impossible for any one deeply
in it to have any friends, and in future h(
should devote himself to his professional
pursuits and let politics alone. In spite
of what Mr. Conkling may say to the col
trary, I think he is keeping sharp look
out over the political campus. and does
not intend to get left. In the retention
of the internal revenue collectors in n. !
his hand is plainly visible. The Twenty
first, Twenty-fOurth, and Twenty sixtl
Internal Revenue districts have been con
solidated, the Office removed fromAuburr
to COnkling' 'sown town, Utica, and jaime
Armstrong, his particular friend, ,ha
been made collector This indicates tha
he by no means lost interest in politica
matters, and it is an open secret tha
Conkling's visit here was for the purpose
Of having Armstrong appointed.
DON PEDRO.