The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-12-30
The New Postal System.

The new postal system iuaugurated in Car
h last week has met with very positive OPP
position from various parts of the county. 1t
\ was expected that postmasters at the abolished
es would not cordially welcome the
nge. nor would the abolition of the star
Yates by the contractors. But the opposition
is not from these alone by any means. The
system had not been perfectly worked out be-
fore its Inauguration. Some sections, small,
it is true. had not been covered, and some
families had no mail facilities at all-no way
to receive or despatch mail. Most of these
omissions, if not all, have been remedied.
The carriers traverse only county roads and
pixies. and those living off on private roads are
put at some inconvenience to get mail matter.
Some of these are half mile away, but the
most of them onlya few hundred yards. Still
they would have to put up mail boxes and
there is an indisposition by some to do so ex-
cept upon their own property.
The Postoffice Department erred in making
the change too suddenly and sweepingly. 1t
vould have been better had the boxes been
supplied by the Department and put up, and
afterward one wagon route, with its carriers,
inanonrated at time. STILL, II is too late now
To do that. The system has been started and
is being carefully studied and watched 50 as
10 remedy any defects. Suggestions Of
changes are welcomed, and postotfice othclais
are here to hear them and to work out those
that merit consideration.
There is one unanswerable argument against
the new system in Carroll-that the postal
facilities we're quite satisfactory TO the people
and the change was not sought By them On
the other hand, the Postofice Department de-
sires to thoroughly test the new system and
had to try it somewhere. In selecting Carroll
the Postofice Department intended u as a
commitment. fit should work satisfactorily,
and be a great improvement upon the former
system. as ii was believed, Carroll would have
had the honor of being the first county IN the
United States TO have it as well as being the
first to enjoy its benefits.
From complaints that have reached the AD-
vocATE it is certain that some alterations ana
changes will have to be made. No change OF
postal routes, as radical as this, could be eN-
pected to be perfect, but the officials directing
;ts inauguration are endeavoring to make It
satisfactory to the people aud an Improvement
upon any system Of free rural delivery ever
devised.
1t has come to stay, however, for time.
It's to be given thorough trial. If it is not
satisfactory to the people-lhat is, free from
all reasonable objectioa-and not satisfactory
to the Postofice Department, it viii be dis
continued. In view of these facts the people
should withhold mere factious opposition and
aid rather than hinder its operation.
The passing of the rural pOstofiee' however,
will be long regretted. There on Saturdays
the people of the neigbborhood went to get
their county papers, look over the news dis
cuss local and other matters and enjoy an
hour or SO together, as well as purchase their
weekly supplies. OF course they viii still
have to go to get their supplies, but they will
not enjoy the social intercourse as formerly.
umahssu visits have been timed heretofore to
ANAL. Now there IS no mail, and no
Ret. Rural people are much isolated
ime-nov their isolation is CON-
is the sentimental view Of the
and it wiz be some time before Il
Of, even if the system, when per
rs IN favor