Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-01-04
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS
FACTS AND OPINIONS GATHERED
FROM CONTEMPORARIES.
RURAL FREE DELIVERY.

RURAL FREE DELIVERY.
We have become accustomed to think
ing of rural free delivery as an expert
mountaineering and promising, per-
haps, but still an experiment. In view
of the facts presented in the report of the
postmaster general, it must be recognized
as an institution--an institution which is
assured of permanence and is of widening
Importance.
Already a rural population of nearly
two millions, living along country roads
and upon scattered farms, receives mail
daily delivered free at its doors. The ra-
pidity with which the system has devel-
oped is attested by the fact that the mum
Der of routes now in operation is more
than six times as large as had been estab-
lished up to July of last year: while the
indications are that the number of routes
will be nearly doubled before the first Of
next July. The close of the present fis-
cal year, it is expected, will see a rural
population of three and half millions
included in the service.
These facts Justify the declaration of
the postmaster general that rural free de-
livery cannot be abandoned where it has
been established, and cannot be main
tanned without being extended. When
ever it is introduced there is an immediate
demand from contiguous territory to be
included in Its advantages. This demand
cannot be Indefinitely refused, where he
conditions are such as to favor the estab-
lishment of rural routes. There are, of
course, districts which are too sparsely
settled, or too difficult, geographically,
to permit the establishment of routes,
but, eliminating these, the probability is
that the system will be gradually extend
ed over practically the whole country.
The postmaster general estimates the
area eventually to be covered at one
million square miles. or more than twice
the area of France and Germany com
bined and he estimates the cost at four.
teen million dollars, as compared with
the one and three-quarters million avail
able the present year.
This seems stupendOus undertaking.
but it is not impossible. Experience has
already shown that the system stimu-
lates the use of the pOstolfice. and that
it makes possible a considerable reduc
ton in the number of fourth class offices,
by means of which the net cost is re-
duced. These effects will be increasingly
apparent AS the system is extended. AS
for the advantages which the system
brings to the rural population which it
reaches. they are almost incalculable
Rural free delivery promotes social inter-
course: it brings the remotest farms
within reach of newspapers and maga
zines and the activities Of the great
world; it promotes good roads; it en-
hances farm values; il breaks up the $50
lation and monotony of farm life. and
ultimately, in connection with the trolley
car and other modern Influences it will
tend to counterfeit the congestion of city
population by making the country more
attractive.-Boston journal.
%oo$
A MASSACHUSETTS, TRUST IN NAT
URA- BEATTY.
1t was the need of some recognized |
instrumentality for the preservation |
of beautiful and historic places that led
to the organization of the Trustees Of
Public Reservations in Massachusetts,
which very appropriately borrowed from
the old pine-tIce shilling the device for
its seal. The movement for the organi
cations of this body-whose function is
like that of the trustees of public art
museum, standing ready to undertake
the care of such precious things as may
be placed in its charge-was started by
the Appalachian Mountain club in the
spring of 1890. In the act of incorpor
alton passed the following year, board
of trustees of public reservations was
provided for, with the purpose of acquir-
ing, holding, arranging, maintaining,
and opening to the public, under suitable
regulations, beautiful and historical
places and tracts of land within the COM
mOnwcalth. TO this end the board was
authorised to acquire and hold by gift,
devise, purchase, or otherwise, to the
value of not exceeding one million dol
lars, such real estate as it might deem
worthy of preservation for the enjoy
ment of the public; and also such other
property, both real and personal, nee
essary or proper to support or promote
the objects of the corporation, not ex-
ceeding the farther sum of one million