The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-28
AL FREE DELIVERY.
RURAL
PROPOSITION TO INCREASE THE
PAY OF THE CARRIERS.


rural free delivery service are greatly
making in behalf of a proposition 10
increase the compensation Of rural car
riers from $500 to $500 a year. The
movement has been under way since
the beginning Of the present session Of
Congress. Representatives from every
section of the country, who are inter
ested in the free rural delivery sys-
TEN, have been enlisted in the cause,
and those who are in charge announce
that it is in a fair way TO receive the
approval OF both the House and the
Senate during the present Congress.
= Representative Loud, Of California,
chairman Of the House Committee on
Postoftices and POst-roads, who is US
~uslly a stiekler for retrenchment and
cutting down expenditures, has become
impressed with the merits of the appeal
in behalf Of the popular, but poorly
paid rural carriers, and he win incor-
porate a favorable recommendation in
his report on the postoffice appropria-
ton bill. Southern and Western repre-
senta tfves have been the most earnest
and persistent workers in favor of the
Increase, and as there is no politics in
VOWED in the question, and also be-
cause of the general desire to make the
rural service efficient. the proposition
Is likely to receive favorable considera-
ton in the postOffice bill. 1t has the ap-
prevail OF the Postmaster General.
The Miles Incident.
President Roosevelt intends ths. :he
politicians shall have a lively. if not
altogether happy New Year. The re-
cent shake up in the Cabinet, the de-
eapitation Of Appraiser Wakeman, the
public reprimanding of Lieut. Gen.
Nelson ~ Miles and his public decIar-
alton that he proposes to snuff OUT
the Schley controversy, shows that he
believes in quick action in an emer-
gency.
The General Miles incident over
shadows all Of the late occurrences at
the White House, and it is being freely
discussed and commented upon.
Army and navy people are asking
themselves who Will be the next TO
encounter the Presidential thrashing
machine" The friends of Gen.
Miles are taken of their feet
by the doubled barreled reprimand in
fiicted upon him. A short time ago they
were laboring under the impression
that Gen. Miles had established close
friendly relations with the President.
such as he did not enjoy during the
Mckinley administration. The President
and Gen. Miles frequently went horse
back riding, and those in the army
who belong to the Miles faction were
congratulating themselves that they
were getting a little nearer the throne.
Speculation of the most extravagant
nature is being INDUCED in as to what
Gen. Miles will do. 1t has been limited
that he may resign his commission in
the army and throw himself into the
political arena along with Admiral
Dewey and Rear Admiral Schley as an
aspirant for presidential honors. In the
opinion of conservative men, Gen. Miles
will do nothing foolish. He will prob
ably hold his peace. and in the future
refnernber the story of the poll parrot
andeits. dreadful fate for talking too
much.
Clean Men Wanted.
When President Roosevelt resigned
the Assistant Secretaryship of the
navy and undertook to recruit his reg
iment of Rough Riders, he announced
to the writer that the principal quail
fication for admission to that famous
cavalry troop would be that the appli-
cant could ride we'll and shoot
straight" In administering public af-
| AdAIS IItEtQtllL TOOEENElL IndI
4 applicants for Office of public trust
| shall be not only mentally competent
and efficient, but also that they are
1 morally above reproach.
The general belief throughout the
| public service that President Roose-
welt has started on a crusade of moral
as well as civil service reform spreads
] CONSERVATION in political ranks. With
| in the last two months at least ter
well-known men have either been re-
| moved from high places or refused ap-
| pointment by the President because
| upon examination, he discovered that
their moral character was shady.
Too Many Rough Riders.
1t Is not unlikely that President
Roosevelt occasionally regrets that he
was the original Rough Rider" Since
he became President almost every
member of his troop has tramped III
the White House stairway to let their
| former commander know that they
were in his regiment and are willing
to accept a snug place at the public
crib on the strength of their associa-
lions at San Juan Hill. Many may
come but few are chosen. for up to datf
II appears that but one of the original
Rough Riders have pulled off a fed
eral appointment at the hands of the
|
breed, from Indian Territory, named
Bob" Colbert. who was orderly to Col
Roosevelt. Bob" was recently appoint.
ed United States marshal for the
Southern district of Indian Territory
with headquar tiers at Tishomingo.
One Strenuous Day.
Although the President has Congress
off OF his hands for the next two
| weeks, these are strenuous days al
the White House all the same. Take
last Saturday. for instance, and you
will get an idea of one of President
| Roosevelt's busy days.
He had a session with Senator
Platt of course, and urged the neces.
sity of relief for Cuba.
He listened to Mr.. EDWARDS propo-
sition for a bounty on Cuban sugar
He discussed Gov. Crane as a Cab.
met possibility with Senator Lodge.
He called down Gen. Miles in ths
presence OF room full of people, anC
called hard.
He ordered Secretary Root TO Off
cially reprimand the head of the army
He ordered Secretary Long to dis.
miss Historian Maclay from the navy.
He consulted party leaders regarding
cabinet changes.
| He involved himself Ia the Ohio fighi