Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1901-04-18
RURAL FREE MAIL DELIVERY.
What It Means to the Farmer.

RURAL FREE MAIL DELIVERY.
What 1t Means to the Farmer.
1t is from these advantages that great
improvements in social conditions are born.
While / believe every individual has per-
feet right to her or his opinion, l also feel
that we are benefited by comparison of our
honest views.
Having interviewed several Of those who
are in opposition to this evolutionary move
ment, all good, honest, well-meaning peo-
| pie, but timid, and, as Shakespeare says,
| Hwould rather bear the ills they have than
| fly to those they know not Of" The OBJ
jectionable excuses against free mail deliv-
cry run something like this:
Excuse No. 1.--Where there are now
three or four post offices in a district there
will be only one-the distributing office;
then, you see, when the post office is gone
the trade will leave our town. If the mail
is delivered to the people they will not
come to the store and buy, ETC., etc.
In answer: / cannot believe anyone
would think for moment that the farmer
will not require just as much from the viii
lage store after his mail is delivered to him
as before. The mail carrier does not pro-
pose to carry line of general merchandise
only the mail, SO you see when the farmer
requires what the store has in stock he goes
as before and gets supplied.
Excuse No. 2.-We will admit for argu-
ment sake that the village post Office will
not be required under the new scheme, and
would lose that much income, but in my
opinion the postmasters should be appointed
carriers under the new system, if accept
able.
Now, let us investigate some of the bene-
fits of free mail delivery. In the first place
it will be one Of the grandest educational
movements that has dawned ON this portion
of our State since the introduction of steam
ON rails. Why has the farmer of the past
been looked down upon by his city brother
as being intellectually beneath him? Re
fleet one moment and see why. But a
short time ago the stage coach would make
two trips per week from South Jersey to
Camden. The farmer in those days seldom
saw newspaper, while his city brother was
keeping abreast of the times by having
the news delivered at his door daily How
things have changed in SO short time !
The old slow coach has been replaced by
the iron monster with steaming breath that
goes blowing through the rain and sunshine
alike, giving us blessings never before
known.
Now reason from cause to effect and look
at the farmer of to-day. just in proper
ton as he has fallen in with progressive
movements he stands in the same ratio as
his city brother, respected for his mental
and moral development and general knowl-
edge.
Farmers, let us make another step for
en1o Il.
in the busy time of the year, when every
hour counts for something, we will not be
obliged to walk mile or two to and from
the post office, thus losing an hour of valu-
able time or leave some important informa-
ton in the post Office because we cannot
spare the time to go, or when night comes
are too tired for the effort
How differently when he can dismiss
from his mind that suspense of wondering
if there is a letter in the Office. He may
be looking for an order by mail for some
thing he has to sell. He goes to the office
several times, but no letter. Under the
free mail delivery he could continue on
with his busy hours at home, knowing
when the order arrived it would be deliv-
cred to him. Don't you want the daily
papers brought to your door so you can
read the news before retiring? Don't you
want your county paper, your magazines
and your mail placed in your hands at
home when the rain and snow are making
it unpleasant outside? If not why not :?
Please answer. Let us know why you
prefer the stage coach to the limited
express. FARMERS HOME.
Sewell, N. j., April II, 1901.
W. c. T. o. Meeting.
The annual meeting of the School of
Methods, of the w. G. T. u, will be held
in St. Paul's M. E. church, Thorofare, on
Tuesday next. The opening session will be
at $50, Mrs. L. P. Gilmour presiding
The program follows:
Devotions, led by Mrs. Mary NJ Forkum, of
GlaSsboro.
Address of welcome, Mrs. Stone and pastor of
the church.
Response, Mrs. Emily Helms, Bridgeport.
Appointment of Committees.
Roll call. Presidents please respond by giving
local membership last year and this year.
Address, Medal Contests Mrs. e. $. Parsons,
Camden.
Parliamentary drill, Mrs. Emma Bourne, State
President.
Noontide prayer
Bible reading, Miss Esther H. Elfreth, President
Camden county.
Reading of Executive minutes.
Report of State Loyal Temperance Legion Con
ference, Mrs. H. A. Cawley, Haddonfield.
Discussion on the l.. T. L., led by Miss Elfreth.
Songs, by the local L. t. L.
Talk to the children, Mrs Cawley.
Recitation, "Vashti," Miss Margaret L. Davies,
Mullica Hill.
Introductions.
Reports of committees
Adjournment.
7.30 P. NJ.
Devotional exercises, Mrs. NJ. P. Sparks, Bridge
port.
Address, "What 1 Saw Abroad" Mrs. Emma
Bourne
School Entertainment.
On Friday evening, April 26, grand
entertainment will be given under the
auspices of the Red Bank school. Some
Of the best talent of this city and vicinity
have been procured for the evening. Come
and help us. You will not be disappointed
but will receive your moneys worth. The
program will consist of music on the piano,
violin, mandolin and guitar, vocal music,
Rotations, shadowgraphs, etc. Proceeds for
the public school library Piano loaned