The Yale expositor., 1900-10-05
History OF the Daily Delivery
in the Country.
Democrats Said that the Plan Was I'M
practicable, but the Republicans
Have Thoroughly Demonstrated
IFS Value 10 Farmers.

velopment from an insignificant beglh-
ming OF forty-four routes and an appro-
proation for the Gsca! year which closed
in 1897 TO its present magnificent pro
portions with the rural routes numbered
10y the thousands and an appropriation
OF 81, 750, eco voted for its further extern
sion during the present fiscal year, has
all been brought about by the Mckinley
administration.
A movement TO broaden the free deiv-
cry Of the mails was started by Post
master General Wanamaker under the
Republican administration OF Gen. Har-
rison 1t took Che form of village free
delivery, and was more an extension or
city delivery to smaller communities than
a free delivery to farmers, but limited as
was its scope and successful though X
was in increasing postal receipts and
postal facilities, it encountered. Demo
cratic opposition. When Mr.. Cleveland
came in. his Postmaster General fearing
its effect in popuarizng Republican prin-
ciples and disseminating Republican lit
eraturc. ordered il dropped.
1t was Republican administration
that conceived and executed the idea OF
Frightening the home Of the farmer edu-
eating his children. increasing the value
of his land. compelling the Improvement
of the roads. and bringing the news OF
the markets and the weather so as to Sc
cure him better price for his crops by
delivering daily his mail to him on his
farm. Every Democratic House OF Rep
resentativcs since the idea was first
preached Of carrying the mails into the
rural districts has declared against 1t.
The Forry-third Congress, with Demo
crat from North Carolina as chairman OF
the committee on postoflices and post
roads, proclaimed the plan imposslble,
and turned it down. Postmaster Cen
cral Bisseil. Postmaster General Wilson
and First Assistant Postmaster General
Jones in the Cleveland administration.
all took up the cry of extravaganza and
impossibility Of execution. Consequently
little or nothing was done to give the
farmers access to the mails until Glove
land went out Of Office.
When First Assistant Postmaster
General Perry S. Heath took up the
rural service under the direction of the
President and the Postmaster General in
March, 1897. it was languishing 20 the
point Of eXtinguishment and in a few
months more would have been starved TO
death, like Mr.. Wanamaker's village de-
livery. The official reports Of the Post
Office Department record that il was with
surprise that President Mckinley and
those to whom he entrusted the admins
tration of postal affairs, learned that
there was such a thing as an expert
mental rural free delivery mail service
in progress.
They at once graspcd its possibilities
ana advocated its immediate development
and Republican Congress generously
seconded their efforts. Under this vivi-
flying touch. it has grown until there is
not now State in the Union that has
not felt the civilizing and educational in
fuence Of rural free mail delivery, and
not one that does not desire further
expansion Of the service. On the 1st Of
June, 1900, there were 1,20O rural ser
vices in actual operation and 1000 APP
plications FOR an extension of the system
in process OF establishment by special
agents appointed for the purpose.
The appropriations for the rural free
delivery service have been increased from
$4,000 in the fiscal year lS9T-9S to Sl5O,-
900 in 1S9S-99 and then to $45O.000 in
1S09-1900. and lastly to S1.1J0OO0 for
the present fiscal year 10000.
Three years experience has shown that
in well-selcctcd rural districts the mails
can be distributed to the domicilcs Of the
addresses or in boxes placed within rea-
sonabe diStNnce1of the farmers homes
mt some cross roads or orher convenient
spot at cost per piece not exceeding
that Of the free delivery in many of the
cities Of the United States. In the vast
majority Of communities where 1T has
been tested. the rural free delivery SER
4 l,.,ll fl.tf
public sentiment would not permit its dis
continuance. 1t has been n revolution,
and resolutions do not move backward
1t costs very little more than the old
colonial style Of postal service which it
supersedes, and ii invariably brings a
y large and cOmpensating increase in the
amount OF postal receipts turned into the
treasury. But even il it does cost more
than the obsolete old plan. are not the
farmers entitled to some OF the benefits
of the government which they help so lib
orally TO support by their taxes? The
country can well afford to continue and
extend a system which makes better citi-
zens and happier homes and contributes
largely to the mental. moral and material
advancement Of all the people.
Rural free delivery of mail has come
: 10 stay. and the Republican administra
: ton which brought it into being will stay
with il.
Trade Expansion i'm South America.
According TO the Manufactures. the
present disturbances in China have en-
phasized the necessity OF american man
ufacturers developing an outlet for then
goods in Central and South America
above what they now control Produc
-.
that manufacturers are seeking every
outlet for the production OF their mills
and works. Quite n number OF the lead
ing exporters are looking south for new
folds of enterprise. This is as il shoul,
be-. for the more goods that are manufac
tured and exported the greater the pros
perity and chance for wage workers a
komc.
Growth OF Foreign Commerce
Our foreign commerce under Repubil
-. T.. s.t.fl