The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-20

Al Effort to Havo Free Dslivery Extended
Into tho Country.

NEW York. oct 19.-An organized effort is
under way among farmers 70 secure from Con-
gress free mail delivery in country towns. The
Farmers Alliance. Patrons Of Husbandry and
| other orders are canvassing the matter Let
/ ters are being written 10 Congressman IN favor
| ofthe project end petitions 10 Congress for free
| delivery are being circulated in every part 0f
( the country. armeTs assert ibat daily
\ mail delivery ut their door will add percent,
| hly O. the money value Of their farms and
| viii be worth still more because Il will keep
| them IN touch with markets and the outside
world and rob farm life of its isolation and
mouotony The farmers are writing 10 the
agricultural press that this convenience would
enable them cutie generally 20 take a daily
paper as well ~ % subscribe for tad local
papers more Ill orally
Ia the American Agriculturalist for No
NemOor POstmaster-General Wauamaker
states definitely for the first time that the ex-
pertinent made by the Postoiico Department
ior free delivery IL farming districts shows
tnat the increase Il revenue more than PAYS
aIi Tire increased expenses. lie believes that
universal FREQ delivery would therefore DO
self-sustoining.
1IH. wASAMAKER's VIEWS.
Mr. Wanamaker's article also contains this
statement OF the cnse: When town grows
10 10000 population and puts down foot walks
nnd puts up numbers on tho houses the Post
0ihce Department IL authorized by act OF Con-
gress 20 establish carrier service 10 deliver
mail matter az the doors of houses and
Offices "a the town increases postal
stations arc established. Thus the postal
service keeps pace with the growth Of
the town. While oil this postal work IS
going on at the thickly populated points. tho
farmers, Quarrymen. blacksmith millers and
artisans oil paying the regulation ratos Of
post 20. arc LETT 10 get their mail rs best they
can from the pOstO,iiCe in tho village or al the
railway station.
Ia o hamlet of one hundred houses per-
maps sixty persons from the village and the
ylcinage make daily pilgrimage Of distance
of from one block 20 two miles from the home
% the postofhce 20 find out whether thero is
any mail OF not. and hundred more persons
within the circle OF the Office 90 not find 10
convenient to 60 30 the pOstoiiico oftener than
once q week
ADVANTAGE or TIE CARBIRR.
One hundred or more persons each day. In
hll WeAthers. are making trips 10 the post
ohiee often at great personal Inconvenience
and discomfort when single carrier could
once or twice each day make the round OF the
Village and distribute the mail and save the
hundred dav unnecessary trsmps collecting
20 the same time from the letter-bOxes located
10 the street corners mail 10 DO forwarded. A
newspaper brought everyday 90 tho door of
Tie farmer or workman who las no one % 20
10 the postoiico for it would find q thankful
subscriber and light a now lamp in the house
hold.
True enough the village or cross roads ia-
haOltant or the dwelier on tho farm chooses
his home for ms family and might 1.-Two in the
CITY, where gas and water and mail arc brought |
70 his door but when people everywhere Jay |
the same rate OF postage why should one por- |
uon of them have mail facilities denied 20 /
other PORTIONS is IL fair 10 the rural localities
T. refuse postal service equal 10 that provided /
for the cities: is il not q reflection on the /
Intelligence and aspirations of the farmer /
and the artisan % ignore his need of the con-
vcniences Of correspondence and of supplies |
OF newspapers and magazines Does Il not
retard the settlement of country districts 30
neglect to provide in some form or other
means for " least daily intercourse with tho
rest Of tie world ~