Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-21
Postal Reforms.

The leaven 4 working. Justice will be
done TO the rural districts In the matter OF
postal facilities. AS soon ne the people 10
the towns, villages, hamleis. and country
districts realize the fact that they are de-
prlyed OF postal fac lilies which are accord
cd TO the larger cities, and deprived OF them
for the reason that they are destitute oil
many other desirable convenieuces already
possessed by the inhabitants OF those cities,
they will demand the extension OF the free
delivery system into their Deighborhoods,
and they will secure II. or else they will
"knoU the reason why" not.
We have said heretofore that we did not
intend to oppose the reduction OF letter post
Age 10 one cent We adhere 10 that determi-
nation. To reduce letter postage by 80
Ter cent, however. and TO offer this change,
which wonld benefit chiefly the cities. as q
substitute for the postal facilities 50 badly
needed elsewhere, would be 70 commit both
a wrong and blunder. The COurIer-Jour-
nal makes IN this connection The good point
that II would require On addition OF 100 per
cent. TO the number OF letters now sent
through The mails 20 compensate the de-
partmeut for the loss OF revenue that would
result from such q reduction in letter post
age. No reduction in the letter rate heretofore
rnade-that IL; IN recent years-has Necessi-
tsted m increase Of more than 80 per cent.
IN order 20 compensate the department for
The change. "In other words, there is
limit beyond which cheap postage ceases to
be profitable" We quote our Louisville
contemporary:
"The free delivery system is confined TO
few cities. and these The larger ones. The
smaller towns and villages have TO such sd-
vantages in America as they enjoy In Eng
band. There the free delivery system IL q
free-deliyefv system, not for one class OF citi.
zens, but for all. TO the Rip Van Wrinkles
OF to-day the suggestion that we should have
here veriiahie free delivery system extend
Ipg to the rural communities seems prepos-
ferrous, but 60 practical men IL seems Alto
cCtber ad nirsble and entirely possible.
"The citizen or merchant WHO lives with
in q few minutes walk OF the CITY pOs'.Oihee
has bis mail delivered and his letters coli
lecied by the Government. The farmer who
lives ten miles from his post-ofiice must, IN
order to mail letter or receive a newspaper
take one day fron the field and go upon this
long tourney, dong for himself what the
Government very Cheeriuliy does for It's
residents in the larger cities. The result Is
that the farming classc. receive fewer let.
teTs and read fewer newspapers than they
would otherwise do. T1c value OF the free
delivery system 10 the farming communltv IL
fncalcuiabe; asa mere social measure, as
mere educational measure. IL outweighs oil
Others IL is necessary that the farmers
10 -. 20 ~
direct contact with tue thought Of the day;
with the political. religious, add educational
movements. and II cln only he done by i'm
proving or msil facilities. This reform Is
Of far greater magnitude and much greater
importance IA every way than mere cheap
postage. Two cents Is reasonable enough.
"rhe subject has been discussed recently
IN a number Of agricultural iournsls, snd
the feeling Is growing throughout the cOun>
try tha. this demand OF the farmers is pcr-
fsctlv equitable. and il is a reform that must
result in advantage 10 Gil classes OF the COM
Ynunlty. and while necessarily it. would in
volve great expense and great labor IL is not
beyond our reach.
"Such a change must be brought ahout
gradually; Il Should begin by extending the
free-dclivery system 70 the smaller towns
aud villages, then extending the area from
each new centre thus established until one
circle touches the other aud the whole conn-
try has secured the benefit. OF our POs,-Ofiice
Department This reform would not end
here. Following It would come better
money order system, which Is very con-
trac,cd at present. Farmers are clamoring
for postal currency by which means they can
send small amounts OF money by msil. The
objections 10 this are plain, but the demand
can only be met Toy further extensions OF the
imoney-order system"
We have presented these views to our
readers heretofore, but not so forcibly as
they are presented by the Courier-Journal.
We have mentioned the educating adyau.
tages that would result from a general frees
delivery sytem, These advantages cannot
easily be ovtrsstimsted.
II any oi our contemporaries have allow
ed their zeal in this good cause to be cooled
by tie reflection that they will themselves
probably be more benefited by a re-
duction IN the puce OF letter-postsge
tban by the free delivery OF all mail
matter. we beg leave 10 call upon them TO re-
consider tie subject. The one thing needed
rDore than any other one thing TO build up
The country press Is free delivery, which
mems the making Of every mans home a
Qsce where intelligence can be found.
OF course merchandise would be delivered
free as well as letters snd papers. In this
way all merchants, whether In the city or 10
the town OF village, would participate In the
benefits q the new system.