Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-12-23


A petition to congress has been pre-
pared and is being circulated in various
states asking that the Postmaster Gen
eral be authorized by law to establish
free postal delivery service wherever he
is satisfied that sufficient mileage of
continuous good macadam, telford,
gravel or other equally durable and
solid common road is provided and
maintained in good condition to make
postal delivery route OF circuit practi-
cable, such route to be served either
daily or every day or twice week or
once week, according to population.
The object is dual-to extend free postal
delivery, and thereby to encourage the
construction of good common roads.
This petition asserts: That all citi-
zens of the United States are entitled
to free postal delivery if any are; that
the farmer who pays the same postage
as the city resident is entitled to the
same postal service for the money, pro.
vided the country districts are furnished
with good roads for the use of the post
man, so as TO make such service pos
sible: that it is the constitutional duty
of Congress to foster these objects, be-
cause good roads are military necessity
for the common defense; to form a
more perfect union, to promote the
general welfare, to establish postoflices
and post roads, to promote internal
commerce and communication, to en-
nance the general prosperity. Such
service, by foot or horse, may be costly
and inexpedient; but by the use of
specially constructed bicycles, one post
man can serve the residents along
thirty miles of roads each day and thus
serve as many people as the average
number served by one postman in cities
at no greater expense. This service
would naturally find most Of its extern
sion at first in and about villages.
Here and there star routes won ID pen
citrate the country along improved
roads. AS fast as such roads should be
constructed, ne W routes may be opened
to free postal delivery. This would be
a strong inducement 10 construct i'm
proved roads.
Postmaster-General Wanamaker in
his annual report just published shows
that the daily village service expert
ments have yielded profit. Such
service as the petition asks will enable
the department to get along with fewer
postoffices, thus saving expense. He
thinks that 5000 fewer offices could
do the business. with this money
saved" he urges should be instituted
a system of mounted carriers, bicycles
and star route and messenger conduct
ors and gradually spread free delivery
all over the country" Occasionally
winter storms might stop such service
for day or two; but this would only
be temporary inconvenience, simply
delaying delivery br efy few times a
year, and making the postman carry
double loads for one trip when the
storm ceased.
The legislature Of Michigan is about
to consider the subject Of better COM
mon roads. The report of the road
commission, created by the last legis-
lature, will be laid before the incoming
legislature by Governor Winans. The
petition to Congress above mentioned
originated in Michigan. If Michigan
makes better roads she should be en-
couraged and aided by congress. The
legislature, therefore, ought to COM
mend and reinforce this petition by
by passing joint resolution urging
Congress to enact that free postal de
livery shall he extended as fast and as
far as good roads are constructed to
make such service practicable. These
two great reforms are twins. They
ought to proceed together, mutually
aiding each other.
Even If the legislature does nothing
else i'm this matter 1t ought to pass
Joint resolution asking this much of
Congress for the encouragement Of the
great cause of better common roads, as
eyell as for the equal rights of farmers
rdsd country people with city residents
nr.sr the postal laws.-Tribune.