The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-06-27
LIVE CAPITAL GOSSIP.


Washington. June %. - First Assistant
Postmaster General Perry Heath deserves
10 be congratulated upon reform In the
conduct of the 10000 third and fourth
class postoffices OF tho country which Is
Of vast importance To the business world
and to the public everywhere,
For some time complaints have been
coming 10 the department calling attention
to ilcgihlo pustmarkinS OF man matter.
The frequency OF these complaints arouaNa
the department, and the snilect was re-
Gently taken up with view to fcinohy'hs
the evil, which had grown TO ne an ihcon-
yenlence to the department Itself on ac-
count not only OF defective pos, marking,
but OF the Use of absolutely worthless
stamplng outfits. Accordingly the Postal
Guide for June has giyen special ihsirH'-
lions relative to postlnarSing ana hnch-
stamping. The postmaster is required 10
make tho impression OF every stamp 30
distinct that each letter and figure may not
be mistaken postmastcrS heretofore have
been using stamps OF rubber. lead and iron,
many OF them old and worn out. and some
of them not furnished by the government.
The use of stamps not furnished ny me
department Is now prohibited by the juno
Postal Guide. The Instructions sent out
by the first assistant postmaster general
are clear. explicit and positive. they in.
cludc the following paragraph OF general
instructions"
''Thts department Is determined to Sc
| cure a radical reform In the method OF
| postmarking, and postoffioe inspectors wiz
| be required to give special attention 10
| the matter when they visit postoiii's, and
| to report fully any failure OF duty on the
| mart of postmasteis in this respect an
| nostmasters will be expected to get their
| I'll sft order at
| once. and Il for any reason they are una
| bic 10 get perfect Impressions Of their
| STAMPS. after observing the foregoing ID
| struotons, they shall communicate win
| this office division Of pcstoffice suppiiesl
| furnishing Impressions OF their stamps
with a specific statement OF their diificul'
ties in the matter"
An important feature OF perfecting this
work of reform has bee. accomplished b,
| changing the regulation OF tho 'aanner o.
making acquisitions. 1t is done through
posial card system. The cards are sent U
the postmasters. who fill the blanks
stamp the cards and return them TO I'M
denartment, where they are methodicail!
| filed for reference. Thus is furnished
perfeet and constant check upon all post
masters who fail strictly to observe IN
regulations a. -,
The division OF postofflce- supplies ba
been extremely busy working out this re
form since the present administration be
gan. large special detail OF clerks hay
ing been made for tho purpose. Thus IA
ca, ig3 out OF the 10000 offices have bee
treated and 1874 have been furnishes
compiete new stamping outfits. The ne'
stamps arc OF steel, instead OF leaf, 'ro
or other material. Every days mails brin
evidences OF the good ACCOMPLISHED 10y III
denartment's Instructions. Careless post
masters. under the simple and Intelligent
but Imperative instructions OF the depart
mcnt' have either made ieIuiNitions 10
new supplies or brushed mp their Old ou,
nts. 10 that pretty soon there VIII be litti
or no cause for complaint Of DIGESTIVE post
mar<ing.
Befole the reform was undertaken nu
rnerous letters Of complaint came to IN
department from all parts Of the countr,
many Of them from largo business con
carns Going vcluminous business throus
$ the mails. and necessarily having extensiv
I correspondence.
Among the most interesting letters y on