New-York tribune., 1905-12-31
Plan TO Issue Distinctive
rr.om rha rrlnune Rureau.I

Washington, Dec 30.-The recommendation OF
Third Assistant Postmaster General MADDEN
that the frankng privilege he abolished ana lhat
Senator's Representatives and federal depart
mental officials be required to use postage stamps
on all classes of mall funds for the purchase 70
be appropriated by Congress, is receiving care
full consideration from legislators.
Various objections to the recommendation have
been raised, chief among which IS the difficulty
that would be experienced in adjusting appro-
priatfons so as to meet the official needs of
Congressmen and government departments. A
uniform allowance would be necessary on course,
for congressman. and what would be ample Tor
one Senator or Representative would not be a
drop in the bucket for others. stamp collec-
tor has suggested that this difficulty might be
overcome by Issuing two distinctive series OF
postage stamps: one for Senators and Repre-
sentatfves and the other for the use Of the Off
cials of departments, and this proposition Is now
being examined by the authorities.
A third Of a century ago. from 1878 10 1870,
10 be exact all departmental mail required
postage stamps although mail sent by Congress
rnen ard Senators was franked by the signing
1t the name as at present, Each OF the de-
part1aents however, had its own distinctive
postage stamps which were supplied without
cost except for manufacture.
These stamps were printed from plates similar
10 the current commercial postage stamps, eN~
cent those used by the Postoffice Department.
the latter being labels with the denomination in
large figures printed within oval. with an
appropriate border and the inscription. "Postof-
fee Department. Official stamp, q. s"
The stamps for the Department Of Agriculture
were all printed in corn color, rich orange
yellow and were of the denominations Of one,
two. three SIX Ten. twelve, fifteen, twenty flour
and thirty cents. The executive stamps, FOR
ranking the Presidents mall We're a rich car
mine color and of the denominations Of one. two
three six and ten cents. The Interior Depart
nlent stamps were printed IN yermillon and Of
the values Of one two, three, six, ten twelve,
e4teen tyventv-fou- thirty and ninety cents.
The stamps for the Department Of Justice We're
Of the same denominations as those for the In
terror. but printed in royal purple. and the Post
oflce Department stamps were IN black, A
seven-cent stamp was added to the Navy. War
and Treasury FOR foreign postage. the rate at
that tine being seven cents instead Of FIVE cents
as ST present The Nav was printed in a brill
liant ultIs marine the War in rose and the
Treasury IN brown. Stamps for the Department
OF state We're OF q dark green color, and in ad-
dition 10 the. seven cent there were also de-
nominations 81 81, IS. SO and S2o. The four
last named stamps were twice as large as the
Others. as large as those Of any other depart
ment end bore the likeness OF William H
Seward The 500 state Department IS tbs stamp
Of highest denomination for postal uses ever
issued by the United States.
The colors OF all the department stamps were
brilliant. and the designs attractive. Complete
series of the stamps IN unused condition. ar
ranged on sheets. make display that never
fails to interest beholders. even though they
be wholly lacking IN the phatehc instinct
stamp collectors desire these stamps above al
most all Others, and the person who possesses
complete collection OF departments Is held in
higher sstssm 3mQns philstelists than LSiegs