Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-03-29


kster- Generals, First Assistant POST
hster General Perry S. Heath has at
N placed the rural free delivery mail
etem On a solid foundation, and it
Il hereafter be one of the most i'm
tant branches Of the government.
Mr. Heath has labored increasingly
bee he assumed the responsibility Of
Office he now occupies, to establish
is branch Of the service and as will
seen bis labor and time has not gone
Rewarded, for he has succeeded far
Bond the expectations of his most in
hate friends and CO. o-operators.
bill providing for the establish
Pnt of the rural free delivery branch
the postal service was first intro
iced in the Fifty-third Congress, but
Ter due consideration by the House
nmittee on postoffice and Eost roads,
measure was condemned. Post
ster General Wilson S. Bissell took
verse action to the proposition in
y and again in 1894, when he de-
ned to expend the small appropria-
bn of $4,000 made by Congress to
u the feasibility of the scheme. In
) Congress increased the appropria-
Pn to $50, 600, but Postmaster General
liam l.. Wilson adopted the views
his predecessor. Mr.. Bissell, and the
buss committee, that the plan was
practicable. But at last, in 1896,
Ter Congress had doubled the aIpro-
alton of 1895, Mr.. Wilson decided to
10 it trial; hut with no hopes Of
tcesss.
Forty four routes in 90 States were
ected for the experiment; most of
ich were through mountainous
lions. At first the system proved un-
fcessfu, and was carried on at loss
the government. 1t soon changed.
wever, and before the first year had
used the majority Of the routes were
(king money for the gov ernmept.
lch encouraged over the trial, the
partment asked Congress for larger
propriation to carry on the work.
ter many long debates Dill appro-
ating $500, coo for the purpose was
fsed. Thus, after long struggle,
service was firmly established.
On the lst Of November, 1899, rural
70 delivery was in successful opera
n from 3S3 distributing points, radiat-
ever 40 States and ono territory.
this number Delaware had four, and
tween the beginning Of the new fiscal
pr, July lst, 1899 and the 1st Of
yember, 1899, another was added.
he following shows, in regard to each
vice established in Delaware, the
Ftotlice and county fiom which 1t
rts, the square miles covered, the
18th OF the routes, number of carriers,
70 established, &C..
harrington, Kent county, was estab-
bed October 3d, 1898, serves over 600
Rple, covered originally 1919 square
es, but was extended April Sd, 1899,
Is square miles; length of the route
~ miles and has one carrier. Dur
the fiscal year 1S98-99. the number
pieces of mail collected and delivered
mbered l3, l79.
.aurel, in Sussex county, was estab-
ned November LIST, 1893, serves 1900
Pple, covers 16 square miles, is 3S
les long, which, by the way, is the
Pgest route in the State. Has two
rlers, who handled 10, $50 pieces of
during the year.
Plarshallton, in New Castle county,
established at the same time as the
urel route was November 1st, lS9S).
is route covers an area Of 20 square
les and is IL miles in length; has one
Tier and while he only serves 600
fsonss, he holds the record in Della
re for the largest amount of mail
ndled- -2l, III pieces delivered and
iected during the year.
pmyrna, in Kent county, was estab-
Ped February 18th, 1883, and serves
people; covers an area of 26 square
es and is l8 miles In length, has one
rlei, who, during the year, handled
" pieces of mail.
no Delmar route, which was only
ently established, has not yet been
" reported. 1t is about 20 miles in
gth and serves about 1000 people.
ne system was established by tho
partment more for the benefit of The
Pple living a distance from post
ees' than as a money making scheme
does away with the travelling miles
tne ,postotfices. and the losing OF
uacle time by the farmers and
lers living in rural districts, who
er leaving their work for half day
disappointed when they reach the
tolilce by receiving no mail. But
government cannot help making
Rney out of the venture as the service
greatly reduce the number OF
irth' class postofiices and star routes.
. people in general are the most for.
iate' however, as they get better
N'oe than was ever thought possible.
me carriers are well paid, receiving
y per year for about five hours work
pay in most cases. They have to fur,
thelr own horse and vehicle, bui
not have to pay tolls or ferriages.
Treasury Department issues
nches for these EXPENSES and forwards
pm to the carrier, who, after his an.
pvai, turns them over to the person:
:. whom they are made payable. II
carrier is sick or on leave of alb
pce' he can get a bonded assistant tc
lorm his duty, and can make his
y arrangements about paying him.
"trip a day is all that is required ol
ne boxes are one of the most import
Things about the service. The gov
hent requires that they should bt
ue of good material and we'll made
composed of two compartments-f
lection compartment and delivery
apartment. Each box is to have {
ID or flag attached to it which car
seen by the carrier without leaving
vehicle. II the flag is in sight i
picates that there is something IL
pox, and will serve both the carriei
patrons alike. BY this method {
at deal of time is saved. The gov
mBnt now haa ,,ndar oono;dara tion ,
u Tor furnishing rural delivery mai