The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-07-14


with several rows of large tables, at which
we're seated about fifty ladies, varying
from fifteen to fifty years Of age. Each
ldy held in her hand little instrument
which kept up an incessant clicking, re-
minding one of the noise made by u tele-
graphic instrument. Upon inquiry it
was ascertained that these ladies were
employees, carried upon the
rolls of the Bureau Of Engraving and |
Printing, engaged in oanceling the in.
ternal revenue stamps printed on bank |
checks, 1t will be remembered that at
tie last session of Congress the tax on
tobacco was reduced from sixteen TO
eight cents per pound, and the two cent
stamp on bank checks was abolished;
that is, the law to that effect will be put
in force from the first of July. All to-
bacco stamps that were printed Iefore
the law was passed had to be changed to
conform to the provisions Of the new law.
That made additional work for the
B reau of Epgravng and Printing. The
alteration was printed across the face Of
the stamps, and they we're reissued .ust
as if they were new. With the bank
checks 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 now worthless. and the depart
ment has consented to return the books
after canceling the stamps and noting
the amount of debate. The number OF
stamps in ench book is first counted by
an expert from the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing and account thereof taken
The books are then passed to the ladies
before mentioned, who, with small
hand stamp, print the wo-d Cancelled
across the face of the stamp. aud the
book of checks is ready to go back to the
bank from whence it came. One of tht
employees said that over 100000 bank
stamps have thus far been Cancelled IL
this way, aud there are probably several
millions more to be disposed of in the
same manner.
The shadow of former greatness al
represented in the person of Roscoe
Conkling lowered about The city few
days recently, and of course all the news
paper men made an effort to pump hin
ing asked whether be had really under
taken to write book to come out alonI
with Blaine's, as reported, Mr.. Conklipl
said: mo, ] have neither the time no
the inclination to write book. hav
too much else to attend to. Why. nev
er thought of such thing" The auster
statesman is growing old rapidly, and bi
pointed Venetian beard is full of gray
Hs says he is ont of politics, and to
poor to get in again; but he discuss
; Certain measures of the Administrator
with good deal of his old caustic man
ncr. asked him if he had called on tn
President. and LIE said he had not, as b
had no business to transact at the Whit
House, and he had no time to go wher
business did not take him. He is yer
keen observer of events, 1 should judge
and is observing the course of his oil
friend in the White House with goo,
deal of interest, not entirely unmixe,
with gentle astonishmept. He spok
with enthusiasm of the might and puwe
4 of the west, and said he had been to st
Louis for the first time, and that it seemed
to have more of the elements of futur
greatness than any city in the west. H,
thought the great railroads centerint
there would make it the depot for all th,
vast region beyond it, now opening up Sc
rapidly, and promising to grow in powei
and wealth beyond anything in the his
tory of the country. Upon general po
litical matters Mr.. Conkling was silent
He said he was tired of the jealousies aut
worry of political life, and that it wa,
impossible for any one deeply in it t.,
} have any friends, and in future be shout
devote himself to his professional pur
suits and let politics alone. In spite o
what Mr.. Conkling may say to the con
trary, think he is keeping a very sharl
lookout oyer the political campus, ant
does not intend to get left. In the re
: tention Of the internal revenue collector
in New York his hand is plainly visible
The Twenty first, Twenty. fourth sn,
: Twenty-sixth Internal Revenue district
3 have been consolidated. the Office reno,
: ed from Auburn to Mr.. Conkling's ow
=; town. Utica, and James Armstrong, hi
particular friend, has been made cole,
n tor. THIS indicates that he has by n
o means lost interest in political matter
a and it is an open secret that Conkling
a visit here was for the purpose of haviu
d Mr.. Armstrong appointed. Dom PEDB
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