Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-31
STAMP REMITTANCEs.

Mr.. Horace Dumnrs, 'He i'''"s
manager Of large New York periodical
has Just devised n scheme which has FOR
ne object a more convenient method OF
making postage-stamp remittances, ana
which aims 10 do away with many of the
| troubles incident TO the present system.
| lie has submitted his plan to the govern
mcnt officials and we regard the whoie
subject as well worthy Of their consider
alton.
often II is inconyenient and risky TO
send money through the mails, and hence
the postage stamp Is frequently used as
supplemcnt 10 currency. BY this system
the sender avoids the expense and bother
| Of securing money-order or registering
his letter, but the recipient of the stamps
,s nut TO no little trouble. The stamps
thus sent in quantities frequently become
stuck together in the envelopes. and much
time and labor are required to separate
them.
Again. there IS quite frequently n loss
connected with this form OF remittance
! because the stamps are sold to brokers al
discount. Altogether, the present sys-
tem-unavoidable unless the government
intervenes-is nuisance which loudly APP
peals for some remedy.
While we are not prepared to say that
Mr.. Dumars scheme would entirely checK
the evil we feel sure that 1t is at least
worthy Of investigation, and may lead 10
something better. He submits plan
whereby the post-ofiico shall PROVIDE
cords on which the stamps could be
pastod and forwarded TO the addressee.
After their receipt they are te be pre-
scented at the post-ofiice. cancelled, ana
redeemed at their money value.
From the following description ana
bomely illustration given by Mr.. Dumars'
the public may gain an excellent iuea u
his scheme:
at is the purpose Of these cards to pro-
vide n suitable means for sending remit
tances. etc, through the mails In the Iorhi
Of hostage stamps in more CONVENIENT
way than any now in use.
"These cards could be purchased by re-
mitters from the post-ofiice for the pun
nose Of sending money from time TO time
and kent on hand for convenient use. Inc
design Is TO enable people to afllx on one
or both sides Of the card an amount o.
uncancelled postage stamps equivalent u
the sum desired to be sent through INC
mails. thus. should Farmer Jones desire
IN send Ct cents to Brown & CO., Oh Nc"
vorl, ne could take one Of these cards
(which he has previously purchased a' hi9
local post-office) and stick thereon pos'
age stamps to the amount of 81 cents Inc
card is then enclosed in his letter accom-
noried bv order. instructions. or whatever
otber matter he may wish TO include, ana
upon receipt Of the card by Brown % 60
the transfer of CT cents is complete. Al
such time as Brown & Co. may DESIRE the
card is presented at the post-ofiice and an
amount Of money equivalent to the value
If hostage stamps thereon 67 cents Is
paid over to said Brown < co. ms par
ticular card was made payable TO Brown
G. 20 bv the RENTER, Farmer Jones, and
if could not be cashed by any post-oihce
until properly signed by the said Brown
< co Upon the presentation and pay
ment of the face value of the card, inc
post-ofice making such payment holds the
card as a voucher for that amount OF
money. and the postage stamps on the
face Of the card can be cancelled at such
time and in such way as the Post-Oiilce
DEPARTMENT would deem best
Through this transaction the Post-Ollce
Department would be compelled to issue
an additional amount of stamps. but the
cost of engraving them is very small. and
the / or 2 cents charge for the proposed
card would fully compensate this loss and
leave a substantial profit besides.
Many additional arguments are used in
favor of the proposed postal transfer
card" which could be made most useful
thing in the business world, and also u
source of great convenience to the rural
population. Thousands Of dollars In
stamps are annually sent through the
mails by country people who answer the
advertisements found in newspapers and
periodicals. In MANY instances it would
be impossible for these good citizens TO
procure small change, and, Furthermore,
their purchases are frequently too small
to Justify a money-order or registered let
ter These stamps find their way into the
large cities. and If not disposed of at a
loss by their recipients, at least diminish
the sales of the urban post-ofiices.