The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-07-31
TWO CENT POSTAGE.
An Official Circular Received
by Postmaster Blair
Last Night.
A Document Which is Full of In.
terest to All Of Our Bust
ness Men.
Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
OFFICE OF THIRD ASST p. M GEN,


Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT.,
OFFICE OF THIRD Asst p. M GEN,
WAsHrNGrON, ID c., July Is, 1883.
On and alter the first day of October,
1883, the rate of postage on domestic mail
matter IF the first class will be reduced
from three cents to two cents per half
ounce or fraction thereof, as provided by
The act of Congress approved March 3,
1888.
STAMPS AND ENVELOPES.
After this reduction goes into effect the
three-cent denomination OF postage stamps
and stamped envelopes will be but little
used, and it is desirable to have as small a
stock of them outstanding at that time as
possible.
All pOstmasters are therefore instructed
to limit thei, r"qrisitiOns for tbi .e-cent
stamps and en,, los to quantities that,
upon careful esti., ,te, my be deemed
sufficient to last until the first of October.
To the same end, the Department will,
whenever il is deemed proper, curtsii the
acquisitions Tor that denomination, or
substitute suitable amount of the one
and twO-cent denominations. In either
case it will be unnecessary tor postmasters
to address the Department unless the sup
ply of stamps or envelopes sent them is
clearly insufficient for the needs of their
Offices. Postmasters will use all availa-
BILE means-without mourning any ex-
pense TO the Department-Oi calling public
attention to the coming reduction of post
age, SD that purchasers may not accumu-
late an unnecessary supply of three-cent
stamps or stamped envelopes.
NEW DESIGNS OF TWO AND FOUR CENT
STAMPS AND ENVELOPES.
The Department has adopted new de-
sign for the twO-cent stamp-the head Of
Washington in profile, from Hudson's bust.
being placed on a plain tablet; above the
oval, surrounding the head. are the words
United States Postage" and underneath
the tablet are the words 1.-TWO Cents.
The stamps will be printed in metallic rec
A fOur-cent denomination of postage
stamp and stamped envelope, to cover
double postage under the pew rate, will
also be issued. The design embraces the
head of Jackson, similar to that on the
present two cent stamps and envelopes.
The Department will revise the schedule
of prices of stamped envelopes by discon-
tinuing the three-cent envelopes, and SUBJ
stituting two-cent and tour cent envelopes
as msy be necessary. The price of the
envelopes. however, exclusive of the post
age, will remain the same as ON the exist
ing schedule for like sizes and qualities
Copies of the new schedule will be fur
nished in due time for use.
No change will be made in the postage
due stamps.
OUTSTANDING STOCK OF THREE-CEKr
STAMPS AND ENVELOPES.
No arrangements have yet been made for
the redemption of three-cent stamps and
envelopes in the hands of postmas,ers, or
for the exchange by pos,masters of such
stamps and envelopes in the hands Of
private holders. Until further notice,
therefore, pOstmasters will not make ex-
changes for the public, nor will they re-
turn 10 the Department the stock remain
log in their own hands on and after the
first of October.
VALID.
The two and three cent stamps and
stamped envelopes of the present designs
will continue to be valid after the first of
October, and must be accepted in payment
of postage whenever offered in appropriate
amounts. The thres-cent stamps may be
used in combination with other denomina-
lions on letters requiring more than one
rate Of postage, and on parcels of third and
fOurth-class matter.
ISSUE OF STAMPS AND ENVELOPES OF NEW
DESIGN.
The Department will be ready to issue
two-cent adhesive stamps on the fifteenth
of September, and stamped envelopes on
the first of September, N anticipation OF
their use on the first of October. 40 three
cent adhesive stamps will be issued after
the fourteenth of September unless the
requisition is accompanied with state
ment from the postmaster that the stamps
are needed for immediate use, and that the
full supply called for will become exhaust
ed by the first of October. No three-cent
Stamped envelopes. either plain or special
request, will be issued after the thirty first
of August unless accompanied with q
statement similar to the foregoing.
acquisitions for stamped envelopes may
be made after the first of September under
the new schedule, which takes effect the
first of October.
STAMPS AND ENVELOPES OF NEW DESIGN
NOT To BE SOLD BEFORE THE FIRST OF
OCTOBER.
The new two-cent stamps and stamped
envelopes must not be placed on sale BY
postmasters or used before the FIRST day Of
October, 1883.
NO OTHER CHANGE IN RATES OF POSTAGE.
The drop-letter rate of postage will re-
main the same Is now: that is, two cents
per half ounce or fraction thereof at free
delivery Offices, and one cent at ell other
Offices; and no changes are made in the
rates Of postage on second, third and fourth
ri aeo m affop