Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-07-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
[From Our Regular Correspondent. ]

WASHiNSION, Juy U, 1000.
The beginning of new fiscal year has
made few changes and very little stir of
any kind in the Government departments.
Usually there is more or less uneasiness
among clerks as the first of July draws
near, and there has been some nervousness
this year, yet only small number of dis
charges have been found necessary under
the new appropriations. A few of these
are in the Pension Office and few in the
Patent office. The changes taking effect
in the revenue laws have caused the great
est amount of fuss. While overhauling
the top story OF the Treasury department
one day last week in search Of news, your
correspondent found his way into a large
room filled with several rows of large tables,
at which were seated about fifty ladies,
varying IRON fifteen TO fifty years of age.
Each lady held in her hand little instru-
ment which kept up an incessant clicking,
reminding one OF the noise made by tele-
graphic instrument. Upon inquiry il was
ascertained that these ladies were tempo.
rary employees, carried upon the rolls OF
the Bureau OF Engraving and Printing,
engaged in canceling the internal revenue
stamps printed on bank checks. 1t will be
remembered that at the last session of Con-
gress the tax on tobacco was reduced from
sixteen TO eight cents per pound, and the
two cent stamp on bank checks was abol-
ished ; that is, the law to that effect will
be put in force from the first of July. All
tobacco stamps that were printed before
the law was passed had 10 be changed to
conform to the provisions of the new law.
That made additional work for the Bureau
OF Engraving and Printing. The altera-
tion was printed across the face of the
stamps, and they were ressued 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 OH a
very elaborate scale. Most of the banks
do not like TO lose the checks, though tie
stamps printed on them are now worth
less, and the department has consented 10
return 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 ol
Engraving and Printing and account there.
OF taken. The books are then passed 10
the ladies' at the long tables before men
toned, who, with small hand stamp
prln! the word Cancelled" across the face
of the stamp, and the book of checks il
ready TO go back to the bank from whence
II came. One of the employees said that
over 10000 bank stamps have thus fai
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 repre-
sented in the person of Roscoe Conkiine
lowered about the city few days recently
and OF course ell the newspaper mel
made an effort to pump him for some kint
OF sensation. Upon being asked whether
he had really undertaken to write book
to come out along with Blaine's, as re-
ported, Mr.. Conkling said: "No, l have
neither the time nor the inclination L
write book. l have too much else to nj
| 'S'' we W hCNCt ilOuRUt Vi SUCH
thing The austere statesman is growinl
old rapidly, and his pointed Venitiai
beard is full OF gray. He says he Is out o
politics, and too poor to get in again: bu
: he discussed certain measures of the Ad
minstration with n good deal of his ole
c'nstlc manner. asked him If he hat
Lied on the President, and he said he hat
not, as he had no business to transact a
the White House, and he mad no time I,
go where business did not take him. Ht
Ia a very keen observer OF events, | should
Judge, and IL observing tho course of hi
D old friend in the White House with a goo,
deal OF interest, not entirely unmixed viii
gentle asIonishment. lie spoke with en-
lhnsasm OF the might and power of th,
west, and said he had been TO St. Lou,
Tor the first time, and that il seemed 1,
have more OF the elements OF future great
ncss than any city in the west. lie though
the great railroads cenlering there wonlt
, make il the depot for all the vast regio,
beyond II, now opening up 10 rapidly, anc
po using TO grow in wealth and pow
, beyond anything in the history OF th,
I country. Upon general political matter
MIR. ConklinR was silent. He said he wa
rcd OF the je"lonsies and worry of polili-
cal lille, and that it was impossible for an,
one deeply IN II to have friends, and IN fu
inre.he should devote himself 10 his pro
) iesSional pnr"nits and let politics alone
In sldte Of what Mr.. Conkling may say /,
the contrary, i think he il keeping yer,
sharp lookout over the political camps
aud docs not intend To get left. In the re
!entlon 81 the internal revenue collector
~ New York his hand is plainly visible
!he Twenty fr-t, Twenty. fourth. an,
Iwenly-slxlh Internal Revenue district
have been consolidated, the Office remove,
, IRON Auburn to Mr.. Conkliugs own town
Utica, and James Armstrong, his rarlicu
lar friend, has been made collector. Thi
indicates that he has by no means lost In
leresl In political matters, and il is an
open secret that conkling's visit here wa
for the purpose Of having Mr.. Armslron,
appointed. DON PEDRO.