The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-23
THE NEW POSTAL LAW.
Important Paragraphs from Circular Issued
by the Department.

Dy the department
WASHINGTON, Aug 22-The more import
ant of the questions now being asked as to
the impending reduction in the rate of letter
postage are answered in circular on the sub
ject which the Postoffice Department is send
ing to postmasters. The following are the
more important paragraphs of this circular:
After the reduction goes effect the three cent
denomination of postage stamps and stamped
envelopes will lie but little used, and II is desira-
BILE to have small a stock OF them Outstand-
ing at that time possible All pastm asters n re-
therefore instructed to limit their rrquisitions
for three-cent stamps and stamped envelopes to
quantities thar, upon careful estimHte, may he
deemed sufficient to last untl the LIST day of Oc-
tober. To the same end the department Will,
whenever it is deemed proper, cnrtail the re-
quisitians for that denomination. or substitutes "A
suitable amonnt of the one and lwO-cent tenOmi-
nations In cit her case 1t will be unnecessary
for postmasters TO address the departmenr. I'M
Il 50 the supply of stagps envelopes sens
them is clearly insufficient for the needs OF heir
Offices Postmaster- Will take all available
means, without iucurring any expense to the de-
partnent, OF calling public attention to reduc-
tion of postage so that purchasers may not ac-
cunuate an unnecessary sunpiv Of three-cent
stamps or stamped envelopes M arrangtments
have yet beeu made for the redempt of three
cent stamps and envelopes in the hands of post
masters for the exchange OF such stamps and
envelopes in the hands of private holders. I'm.
I'll further notice, therefore, postmastprs will
not make exchanges for the pIOlic, nor VIII
naming In their own hands on and after the 1st nt
Octnher. Stamped envelopes spoiled in directing
will, however, cnntlnue to he redeemed at post
age value as provided by existing regulations.
The two and t3ree-cent stamps and stamped
envelopes of the present designs will continue
to be valid after the lat of October, aud must be
accepted in payment OF postage whenever Of
fered. The three-cent stamps may be used in com
hinaJiOn with other stamps letters re.
qnring more than one rate of postage, and on
parcels of The tnird and fourth class matter.
The department will bo ready to issue
two-cent adhesive stamps on the 18th of SEN
uem6er, and stamped envelopes on the lat of
September, In order to be placed for II Sc on
the 1st OF October No three-cent adhesive
stamp will be issued after the 18th of September
unless the requisition is accompanied by a state
ment from the postmaster that the stamps are
needed for Immediate use and that the full sup
ply Will become exhausted by the lat Of October.
No threecent ENVELOPES. either plain or special
request, will be issued after the 3lst of August
unless accompanied with a statement similar to
the foregoing. The new twocent stamp and
stamped envelopes must not he placed sale
by pOstmasters or used before the LIST day of Oc-
tOber, 1888. Specialrequest envelopes. of new
design, supplied before Oct will be charged
and accounted for under existing regulations;
hut such envelopes must not be used prior to
that date.