Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-03-10
Representative hllliken on Grange
lLsrlosts.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U S.,
WASHINGTON, ID. C., Feb. 30, 90.
Hon. j. r. IUuie Master Of Pittsfeld
GrdHge
DEAR SIR Il have to day received from
you the memorial Of your Grange, urging
the importance to the farmers of the free
delivery of the mails TO the rural districts,
and asking that prompt measures be taken
to secure the same.
Several weeks ago had a consultation
with Postmaster General Wanamaker up
on this subject with a view to drafting
and introducing such bill as would bes,
accomplish the purpose now expressed In
your communication, but in the meantime,
bills providing for free delivery of mails
in the rural districts were introduced and
are now pending before Congress, as the
Postmaster General who has fully nvesti-
gated the subject, IS confident that the
project is practicable. | am sincerely in
favor of 1t. There is no department of
the government which comes 50 near to
the people as the post-oflice, and there is
nothing connected with the government In
our own, is more interested than a safe
transmission and prompt delivery of their
mails. The reople of the rural districts
are a reading people. They read intelli-
gently and thoughtfully, and reflect more
seriously upon what they read than per
haps any other class of the community.
They share more fully the burdens of
taxation than any portion OF our citizens.
They deserve and should receive all The
mail facilities which it is practicable to
extend to them. | am heartily in favor of
each wise measure as shall reach this much
needed result.
You also urge the passage of law
which shall prevent gambling in farm pro-
ducts. Gambling in anything is fearful
saries OF life is the most injurious Of all
forms of gambling If it can be prevent
ed there will be great gain both to the pro-
ducer and consumer. The nearer we can
bring the producer and consumer together.
with the least impediments to their deal
ing directly with each other, the greater
will be the profit to the former and the
smaller the cost to the latter. There
should be no gambling and as little specu-
latlon as possible on the road between the
two. You also urge the passage of the
bill defining lard, etc. have not yet had
an opportunity to examine that bill, but if
it is to prevent adulterations being i'm
posed upon the people in place of pure
article, then l assure you it will secure my
earnest support; of all counterfeiters they
who counterfeit food are the worst. They
defraud the honest producer. cheat the
consumer and menace the health of the
people.
enact measures to encourage silk-culture.
Your request is entirely in line with all
my action upon economic questions since
entered Congress.
Every new industry created adds to the
wealth Of the country, both by utilizing
our raw material and by giving employ
ment to labor. The promotion Of an in
dustry already started or established has
the same desirable result. and have many
times put myself upon record as earnestly
favoring legislation which should aid in
broadening the fields of industry and in
creating new avocatioBs for our people.
am glad to know that the Oranges are
taking up and discussing these questions.
Among their many good works they have
done nothing better than tn take these SUBJ
jects In hand and impress upon Congress
their opinions in relation to them. Let
them continue TO make themselves heard
and their influence to be felt for the enact
ment of wholesome laws and an improved
condition of the people. and they will not
| find me hesitating in the position which 1
occupy to faithfully and earnestly repre-
| sent them. With sincere respect,
Yours truly,
! 8. L. MuLKEN.