Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-24


ted.
In order that the scholars past and
present may have opportunities of
meeting and discussing their expert
ences and prospects, l desire that my
trustees shall annually give dinner
to the past and present scholars able
and willing to attend.
1t Is understood that many inquiries
have been received at the state de-
partment from Iowa students, asking
for information. These excerpts from
the will will give the desired facts as
far as developed.
Washington, July 16.
The last congressman seems to have
shaken his feet in the halls of the cap
ltol. He did not shake the dust from
his feet, because there is no dust in
the capitol. The great building is as
nearly dustless and speckless as an
apal tment can be.
1t requires flesh and blood to make
the capitol interesting. Today the
big white building is like deserted
castle. A few clerks and messengers
In the engineers and architects de-
partments still hang about and their
steps echo in a sepulchural manner as
they plod up and down the long cor
ridors, but the life of the institution
has departed a
The mail wagons and mail clerks
have. been doing business the past
week. 1t may not be generally known
that congressman postal frank
covers everything transportable. He
can almost ship his household goods
by mail.
May Move by MaiI.s
Each session every congressman
and senator is furnished at govern
ment expense with three boxes, known
as packing boxes" These boxes are
about four feet long and about eigh-
teen inches wide and high They are
furnished with locks and made in a
most substantial manner. These 1850
boxes are supposed to convey to the
homes of the 450 members of both
houses all books, Congressional rec
ords and official documents and other
papers which have accumulated during
the session. When the boxes have
been packed and locked bit of paper
is stuck upon the lid bearing the ad-
dress of the congressman, and in the
upper right hand corner is stamped
with a rubber stamp the fac smile of
the autograph of the member. The
postoffice department does the rest. A
messenger calls at the members home
or committee room for the boxes,
which are hauled to the train and de.
posted in the postal car along with
the other mail. If the congressman is
particularly choice of the contents of
the boxes he may register each box
by paying the regular fee of eight
cents.
Busy at the Capitol.
During the past ten days one might
have supposed a cracker or soap fac
tory was in operation on Capitol HILL
Scores of wagons piled high with new
boxes of uniform size had been driven
from the approaches to the building
toward the railway stations, so that
before the congressman really reached
home his effects were there before
him.
Hints at Unofficial Contents.
1t has been limited that members are
not always particular to- get official
documents and papers and books into
their boxes, but that clothing and 9th
er unofficial novelties have been trans
ported at government expense in these
boxes. Of course the lids are locked
and 1t would not be considered good
form for a postal clerk to undertake to
pry off the cover of a packing box
bearing the frank of congressman,
even If the clerk was suspicious of the
contents.
Is an Abused Privilege.
The congressman's frank is great
convenience. 1t not only saves much
valuable time that would necessarily
be consumed in licking and affixing
postage stamps, but it also relieves
him of what would otherwise be quite
a financial strain. The frank, however,
is an over-worked privilege. It's func-
ton is simply to enable the member
to forward purely official correspond
ence and documents by mail. It does
not properly include any correspond
ence other than official If a con-
gresham writes aletter upon any 9TH
er topic than government business he
has no right to use an envelope bear
ing his autograph upon the upper
right hand corner.
More Care Needed.
1t may be said, however, that many
congressman take no thought of these
restrictions which are just as binding
as that an employee in one of the de-
partments shall not use a penalty"
envelope for private correspondence.
Technically the envelope franked with
a members autograph is pnalty, be-
cause the law says it shall not be per-
MISSILE to use it for private purposes.
Shaw Takes Precaution.
1t is known that certain congress
men are very careful about this mat
ter. Secretary Shaw is exceedingly
careful in this respect. I know of a
case of recent occurrence where the
nature Of the letter would very prop
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