The Republican journal., 1892-03-10

House OF REPRESENTATIVES,, I
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 2S. 1892 {
Hon. WIN. MCLAUGHLIN, MASTER OF
HARMONY GRANGE. Dear Sir: | have
to-day received from you the memorial
of your Grange, urging the Importance to
the farmer 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 con-
sultation with Postmaster General Wanna
maker upon this subject, with view to
drafting and introducing such a bill as
would best accomplish the purpose now
expressed in your communication, but in
the meantime bills providing for free de-
livery of mails in the rural districts were
introduced and are now pending before
Congress. AS the Postmaster General,
who has fully investigated the subject
is confident that the project is practi-
cable, | am sincerely in favor of it. There
is no department of the government which
comes near to the people as the post
office, and there is nothing connected with
the government in which a reading and
writing people like our own is more in
terested than a safe transmission and
prompt delivery Of their mails. The peo-
pie of the rural districts are reading
people. They read intelligently and
thoughttully, and reflect more seriously
upon what they read than perhaps any
other class OF the community. They
share more fully the burdens OF taxation
than any portion of our citizens. They
dos rSe. and shoIld receive. Ill The mail
facilities winch it is prac ticable To extend
To them. ! am heartily in favor OF such
wise measure as Shall reach this mach
needed result.
You also urge the passage OF a law
which shall prevent gambling III farm
products. Gambling in anything is fear
ful vice, but gamblin" in the prime ncceS-
siiies OF life is the most INJURIOUS OF all
forms of gambling. If it can be prevent
ed, there will be great gain both to tie
producer and consumer. The nearer we
can bring tine producer and consumer to-
gether, with the least impediments to
their dealing directly with each other, the
greater will be the profit to the former
a I'd the smaller the cost to the latter.
There should be no gambling and as little
speculation as possible on the road be-
tween 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 authorizations being imposed
upon the people in place of a pure article
then | assure you it will receive my earn
est support. OF all cnunterfeiters they
who counterfeit food are the worst. They
defraud the honest producer, cheat the
consumer, and menace the health of the
people.
You further memorabilia Congress to
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 employment to labor. The pro-
motion of an industry already started OF
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 avoca-
tons 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 to take these
subjects in hand and to impress upon
Congress their opinions in relation to
them. Let them continue to make them
selves heard and their influence will be
felt for the enactment of wholesome laws
and an improved condition of the people,
and they will not find me hesitating in the
position which | occupy to faithfully and
earnestly represent them.
With sincere respect. yours truly,
5. l.. MILLIkEN.