The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-06

dial and hospitable welcome from ma
tives Of his own country and some of
you may may find your own country
men almost as numerous as you left at
home.
I'VE desire also that you may bear
away with you a more complete knowl-
:iga Of our domain, which extends
across continent, 5000 miles. ernbrac-
ing almost every varitty Of climate. of
country OF boundless resources, of in
finite fertility, OF varied manufacturing
interests ard containing a prosperous
and happy population CT over seventy
millions of people. We want 70 afford
you an object lesson of the marvellous
growth of communities founded mainly
during the past century. which support
a postal system comprising more than
10000 offices and 100000 employees, sup
plying mails for and dispatching them
over 10000 miles Of railroad, 1000 miles
OF steamboat service and by other minor
routes of service, aggregatinG in all
over 100000 miles OF post routes and in
the year 1896 handling a total of $685.
'e9,i1o pieces Of mai. matter. Thus We
place even the small and remote commu-
rites in direct communication with one
another with postal facilities. BY car
rying back 10 your homes the knowledge
that all these millions Of people are anx-
ious TO establish the Closest socia, and
business relations with each OF the conn
tries YOU represent. you will convey some
ioea OF the value of maintenance and par
lection OF the system you have met TO
promote.
at is quite appropriate that this, the
fifth congress of the International Postal
Union, should be held in the United
States. and at the capital Of our nation,
for it was here that the suggestion Great
ing this body originated.
Postmaster General Blair. on August
T. 1862. in communication addressed to
Mr.. Seward. then secretary OF state. pro-
posed an international conference OF pos
"a. delegates 70 recommend measures
looking 70 the revision, simptifcation
and uniformity OF international postal
arrangements. ard the department Of
governments os Great Britain. France,
Prussia, Sweden. the eNtherlands, Bel
GUM, Italy and Ecuador.
Favorable responses were received
from all The governments named. and a. .
Pans in the following May TIE first in
'ernauonal congress assembled
out Of this idea OF io-s-natfo,.,
ieFsl'ce' grew the larger idea OF a pe-m.-
Hen' universal posta, union and the f-s,
congress OF this urion met in the bsn -
me national senate Of SvitzerIa,3 :,
September. 1874. The treaty. crao,,,-
ms unicn went into effec, On the frs. -
July. 1875 -
In coasra:ula.ing our gove-rms-.
ana our people upon being the hos. ~,
SAiS' probably. The body most represent
awe OF the civilized nations 81 the earth
'Aa' has ever assembled, I can therefore
express our profound pride TIA: the ida
creating his union originated with Us
Tie Universal Postal union is young
n years. but phenomenal in successes
ana achievements. Il IS The ou;s-ow;5
or ne separate treaties between diffsre,.
nstoaai organizations. each cornpsc. 6if-.
fe-ing in some essential respec. from al.
others Only tws-ty-tiree years ago IN
iae cry o. beTns. ct The foot OF the Alps.
me delegates from tew administrations
mat AMI laid deep ard so,.5 the fouada-
lions OF THIS union The founders % The
Institutions are fas, passing away. Only
4 few remain o. this tide 81 the pound
aries - lime who have persona, rec9na,-
lions % Is Inauguration. snd so9n there
viii % lest only tae : stored and IL
complete records u me clffersa: adm n
isratioas = teE IRE story q how one u
the grandes; projects l: iAs century was
conceived AMI barn.