Antique Cardboard Mailing Tube From Secretary of State To House of Rep Hepburn

Description

Antique Cardboard Mailing Tube From Secretary of State To House of Rep Hepburn.
The one cent Benjamin Franklin stamp I believe is catalogued by Scott as #279 and the five cent stamp of Ulysses S. Grant is # 281.
From 1898 to ~1905, John Hay served as Secretary of State so this mailing tube might have been sent by him.
William Peters Hepburn (born November 4, 1833 – died February 7, 1916) was an American Civil War officer and an eleven-term Republican congressman from Iowa's now-obsolete 8th congressional district, serving from 1881 to 1887, and from 1893 to 1909. According to historian Edmund Morris, "Hepburn was the House's best debater, admired for his strength of character and legal acumen." As chair of one of the most powerful committees in Congress, he guided or sponsored many statutes regulating businesses, including most notably the Hepburn Act of 1906. The Hepburn Act authorized the U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission to require railroads to charge "just and reasonable" rates. (from Wikipedia)
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 8th district. In office March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1887 and then March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1909.
Condition is "Used". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.