The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-08-01
KEEPING THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
The Whole Truth as to the Rural Mail
Delivery.

The Orangeburg correspondent of
the News and Courier says there has
been some recent comments hereabouts
upon the statement of Congressm 81
Norton, as reported in his Bennettville
speech TO the effect that Congressman
Stokes had not worked for free rural de-
livery of mail. Congressman Stokes
has just returned home after some days
absence and your correspondent asked
him what he had to say about this mat
ter. The people of this section have
been giving Dr.. Stokes the credit for
leadership in the movement, as they
are satisfied that he deserves the honor
and in justice to him the people think
be should receive proper recognition for
his valuable searices. Mr.. Stokes re-
piled as follows:
Il thought my attitude and relations
to the subject Of free rural delivery was
TOO we'll understood to require explana-
tion anywhere in the State. | am in
clined to think that Mr.. Norton was
misquoted, for do not think he would
misrepresent me. The fact is that |
was the first to secure an adequate ap-
preparation for this purpose enough to
put it on fair basis. AS a result it
Immediately went forward by leaps and
bounds. Efforts had been made to
secure an adequate appropriation sew
eral times before, but they had failed.
and it was only after a persistent and
protracted fight in both Senate and
House that l succeeded.
In the Atlanta Journal of July II
appeared very comprehensive and &C.
curste history of the whole movement
for rural delivery, by Congressman
Griggs, Of Georgia, who stands high on
the roll OF Democratic members Of the
postofice committee, and hence has
been in position to know what infu-
ences wero most potential in bringing
about the service as it now exists.
ut is srre, as stated by Friend Nor
ton, that | have gotten free delivery Of
mail along all star routes in South Car
Dina the service beginning July l,
but my first fight was for the rurei de-
livery, as stated above and the star
route delivery is an ampli6cation Of that
system.
but all this is such recent history
and so generally understood that it
seems supe1huous to restate it. Still
in view Of this and Of some very ex-
travagant claims upon the same subject
recently appearing in the State papers
over the signature 'Oae Who Knows,
it may be as we'll to refresh the public
mind on the facts, so as to keep before
the public correctly the work Of the
Congressman from the 7th district.
Here is the paragraph from Congress-
man Grigg's history Of rural delivery in
the Atlanta Journal of the 11th in.
staat, which refers to Congressman
Stokes.
9 The next year (1S9S. W says Mr..
Gciggs, Congress gave $500 O00 to
continue experiments IN this direction.
Ny recollection is that the department
asked for only $3.50, 900, and the COM
mittee recon nepded that amount on
the floor of the House. The Hon. j.
William Stokes, Of South Carolina, a
fast friend Of the farmer, moved to make
it $500, 00e and it passed in that shape.
So great was the pressure for these
routes from all parts Of the country
after this We were called upon by the
department to supply prospective de-
6ciency Of $3.50, 600.