Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 18.djvu/575

STAMBXJLOFF. 493 STAMP. after the abduction of Prince Alexander in Au- gust, 1SS6, until the election of Prince Ferdinand, in July, 1887, then became Premier, and for nearly seven years ruled autocratically, estab- lishing amicable relations with the Porte, but antagonizing Russia. In time his masterful course gained him bitter enemies and aroused the dissatisfaction of Prince Ferdinand. In May, 1894, the Minister resigned. On July 15, 1895, Stambulort' was set upon by thi-ee assassins in the streets of Sofia and was left for dead, expiring three days later. The murderers were sentenced to nominal terms of imprisonment. A confession made by one of them in 1902 impli- cated several men then in power, and tended to east suspicion on Prince Ferdinand. Consult: Hulme-Beaman, U. Utamhuloff (London, 1895) ; id., TwenUj Ycurs in the year East (ib., 1898). STAMEN (Lat., warp, thread, fibre, stamen). The organ in flowers which produces pollen (q.v.). It is usually difi'erentiated into two re- gions: (1) A stalk-like portion, called the fila- ment, and (2) the terminal anther which bears the pollen sacs. See Flower. STAM'PORD. A market town in Lincoln- shire, England, on the Welland, 16 miles by rail northwest of Peterborough (Map: England, F 4). It is remarkable for its history and its antiquities, of which four fine churches, two old gateways, and the ruins of a'priory remain. Its charter dates from 982. Population, in 1901, 8300. Consult Neirnson, History of Stamford (London, 1879). STAMFORD. A city in Fairfield County, Conn., 33 miles northeast of New York City, on Long Island Sound, and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad (Map: Connecti- cut, A 5). It is attractively situated, and con- tains the homes of many New York business men. There are the Ferguson Library, with more than 10,000 volumes, and the Stamford Hospital. Stamford is especially known for its manufac- tures of hardware, including locks and keys. Dye- stuffs, drugs, pianos, typewriters, and foundry and machine-shop products are also extensively man- ufactured. In the census year 1900 there was invested in all industries capital to the amount of $5,189,195. The output was valued at $4,- 743,704. The government, under the revised charter of 1899, is vested in a mayor, chosen annually, and a unicameral council. Population, in 1900", 15,997. Stamford was settled in 1641 by a company from Wethersfield. some of whom were natives of Stamford, England. Until 1662, when the Connecticut and New Haven colonies united, it was under the jurisdiction of the latter, (tut of part of Stamford, Darien was created in 1820. Stamford was incorporated as a city in 1893. Consult: Huntington, History of Stam- ford (Stamford, 1868), and an article, "Stam- ford — 1641-1900," in Connecticut Magazine, vol. vi. (Hartford. 1900). STAMMERING (from stammer, OHG. stam- malfin, stamalon, Ger. stanimern, stnmmehi, to stammer; connected with OHG. stammal, siamal, stammering, stam, Ger. stitmm, mute, Goth. stamms, stammering). An imperfect enunciation of words due to irregular or spasmodic action of the muscles of articulation. The trouble is sometimes a form of chorea (q.v.), sometimes entirely an emotional incoordination. In many sufferers, diflTieulty lies in the enunciation of the initial syllables of certain words, especially if they begin with b, p, t, or d. In some cases, when once pronounced, the syllable is involuntarily repeated again and again. This variety of stammering is sometimes termed stuttering. The latter is physical, while stammering is mental. The trouble often begins merely as hesitancy with a disposition to avoid certain words, or a little imperfect articulation and .stumbling over certain words. Many regard their condition as hereditary because there are other members of their family who stammer. This is probably an error. Mimicry is the cause in many cases. Some begin at the time of an illness, some are due to fright. The great majority of stammerers begin at the age of five years or earlier. A^ery rarely is the habit formed after twenty years of age. The proportion of males to females is as 4I/2 to 1. Jlalfoniiation of organs of speech in stammerers is so rare that it may be denied. In the very rarest instances disease or defect in the hypo- glossal nerve and its muscles exists. Emotion, fear, anger, argument, and embarrassment all in- crease stammering and are in some instances en- tirely accountable for it. If the bodily condition is improved, the stammerer acquires more self- control and prevents the occurrence. Out-of-door exercise, mental and moral hygiene, avoidance of all undermining influences, and great care result in conquest of the condition in most cases. Bold- ness and self-reliance will render it impossible. Measured tones, care in attacking each word, and thoughtful deliberation are almost always absolutely successful. Stammerers can always sing without difficulty. Some learn to enunciate distinctly while performing an associated move- ment, as tilting the head or lifting a finger with each word. It is stated that in the United States there are over 400.000 cases gf this speech defect. Consult Lewis, Practical Treatment of Stammering and Stuttering (Detroit, 1902). STAMP (from AS. stempan. OHG. stamfon, Ger. stampfen, to stamp; connected with Gk. aTi/iPdi', stembrin. to stamp, (7Tf(/3«v, stcibein, to tread, Skt. stambh, to make firm or steady). A piece of paper upon which a mark or device has been printed or impressed by authority of law, and which is adapted for the purpose oif at- taching it to some object chargeable with a duty or ta.x of some nature. The stamp is usually gummed on the back and attached to the instru- ment or article by adhesion. Such stamps are usually made to represent different values to suit the requirements of the tax law or revenue act imder which they are imposed. The British Government has long employed stamps for the above purposes, and the United States Government for the purpose of raising revenue during the Civil War imposed a stamp tax upon legal instruments and a great variety of other articles of property. The method is to re- quire a stamp to be affixed to an article before it can be sold, which duty is usually performed by the manufacturer of the article. During the Spanish-American War the Ignited States Gov- ernment passed a war revenue act requiring stamps on legal instruments and certain articles of commerce. This law was repealed when the necessity for the increased revenue had ceased. However, internal revenue stamps are still re- quired on tobacco, snuff, liquors, cigars, etc., un- der e.xcise law.s, and this is considered to be the