Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-06

and post roads, While not undertaking
to speak authoritatively for that COM
mittee, says he believes the sentiment
of the committee is against the propo-
sition to let rural free delivery routes
out to the lowest bidder. Violent op-
position to the bill exists in the house
and with two or three exceptions the
Iowa congressman are against the bill.
1t does not appear at this time that
there is great probability of the mea-
sure becoming law, although Chair
man Loud, of the house committee is
very much in earnest in his advocacy
thereof The attitude of the speaker
upon this proposition is unknown, but
aside from Mr.. Hedge, and possibly
Mr.. Cousins, who has not fully made
up his mind. it is understood the dele
cation is opposed to the contract sys-
tenn.
New Postage Stamps.
The postof1ice department is work
ing upon an entirely new series of
postage stamps which it is expected
will be ready for use sometime during
| the summer or fall. The present ser
| les, with some slight changes has been
in use for twelve years, although there
have been three commemorative is
sues used for short time each, sand
wiched in-the Columbian, Omaha and
Pan-American.
| 1t is proposed to get up the finest
series of stamps yet produced, and the
bureau of engraving and printing has
been requested, in diplomatic and
perfectly proper official language, to
spread itself on this new series. 1t
was supposed last fall that the face
of President Mckinley would appear
upon one of the denominations of the
new series, but as his portrait appears
on the new postal cards which will &C
on sale next week, it was decided tc
substitute General Benjamin Harrison
in his place. Therefore President
Harrison will have a place upon {
thirteen cent stamp, an entirely new
value, authorized to supply the demand
for stamp carrying a registered let
ter to any country within the postal
union. Heretofore two stamps have
been required to make thirteen cents.
The only other change in personne
will be the superseding of Commodore
Perry whose face has appeared upol
the 80 cent and 81 stamp for thirt.
years, by Admiral Farragut. However
the postoffice department has asket
the bureau to secure new and bette
portraits of such characters as Frank
lin, Washington, Webster, and to pre-
sent them full-facing, or nearly so, in
stead of side-facing. Above eacl
, stamp will appear Series 1902 AM
below the face the name of the sui
, ject. date of his birth and death.
There will be some changes in co
ors and the designs will be entirel
new and unique. The Pan-Americal
stamps were regarded as the fines
stamps ever produced in this county
but the bureau will endeavor to SUI
, pass the Buffalo" series in the serie
of 1902.
!, Farmers Make Request.
: Grain dealers, farmers and other
in Iowa are flooding senators and COZ
gressmen with letters and petition
+ requesting that the war tax be permi
> tied to stand against the bucket shop
, and stock brokers. 1t is urged tht
, the spectators are great damag
l Il and injury to the legitimate graf
a trade and that they should be simpl
= taxed out of existence 1t is desire
:, that the tax be removed from reguls
= bona fide stock ard grain transaction
:, but that the Spectator should /
q made to pay so well for the privilee
lof operating that he cannot afford
:. continue business. The influence an
). vote of the Iowa senators is earnest
:, solicited.