Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-06
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Etchings OF People and Eveats At the
National Capital.

Etchtngs of People and Events az the
National Capital.
No special ISSUE Of postage stamps lost
their popularity as quickly as the Pan
American. Over $1,000 900 worth Of the
stamps have been called In and cremated.
The surplus Of the Omaha issue was about
one-half Of that amount The latter issue
was more profitable to the government, be-
sides possessing the merit Of historic in
terest.
Special issues of postage stamps secure
only limited popularity. The regular issues
are so well entrenched in public favor that
novelties in that line encounter widespread
frost The output and the demand for
stamps far exceed, at the present time, the
best record Of the department, no less than
$50. 5000 having been issued in January
last.
A Washington letter tells Of an ambitious
American who offered $4,000 to the gov
eminent for the privilege Of having his face
printed on one years issue Of postage
stamps. OF course, he was a commercial
man, with motives Of trade in the fore
ground. In fact he made no bones about
It. It was for advertising purposes pure
and simple. His offer was never seriously
entertained, but It would have meant his
likeness on over 5000, 600, 900 stamps. And
he would have been licked by $4,000, 900
people.
among the guests at the National yes
terday." says the Washington Post, was
w. E. Reed OF Madison, Neb., ormerly q
member Of the law firm OF Allen, Robinson
& Reed Of that city. probably one Of the
most unique combinations of political faith
ever gathered together In one partnership.
tn senior member was ex-senator Allen, a
populist; Mr.. Robinson was a represen-
tative, straight democrat, and Mr.. Reed
was q silver republican Fortunately, in the
days before the partnership was dissolved
one common political interest kept the at
torneys from open warfare-all were bent
on bringing about the election Of Bryan.
Rumor has It that some very warm argu-
ments used to issue from the windows and
out under the doors Of the ofHces of the
gentlemen in Madison In the campaigns of
1896 and 1900. Personally, however, the
men were the best Of friends, only differing
In what they desired as to methods"
THE preparation of invitations to the
four great social events Of the season al
the White House-the receptions of the
president-is a work that requires great
care and the most expert penmanship," re-
lates the Washington Star. 1.-THE several
thousand people who receive invitations
to each of the four receptions necessarily
notice the attractive and beautiful penman-
ship, amounting almost to engraving. This
work is done by some of the most noted
penmen in the service of the United States
government.
"The cards Of Invitation to each reception
are engraved, and contain blanks for the
name OF the person or persons invited
These blanks are filled in by the penmen
During the social season Just closed two
penmen were engaged In writing the names
on the cards, while two others wrote the
addresses or the envelopes containing the
cards. With all four men writing beauti.
fully is a profession, and frequently thost
invited to q reception would wonder
whether the name was engraved or written
This work Is done by J. L. McGrew, a
clerk In the Navy department.; s. e. Sulli.
van of the Postofice department, W. w
Mortimer of the Interior department and e
L. Kimmel of the treasury.
The work OF writing the invitations II
frequently begun weeks ahead Of the tim,
fixed. Certain classes of people are In
vited to every reception, and their invita-
tions can be written and put aside ready
for delivery when others are made out.
THE handwriting experts are not usually
fast penmen. Swiftness and beauty o.
writing are seldom found together, and 8,
the experts TAX time In afixing the names
OF society people to cards and envelopes"