The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-03-18

improve that condition under tho
contract system? The special agent,
undcr that systom, will pass upon or
examine tho bids and recommend
which bid shall be accepted, and tho
department will have the right Of
selection. Both plans, l believe, arc
equally capable of being used for
political purposes, if 80 desired
The recent order requiring all appli.
cants for carriers position to stand
an examination removes the service
as far from political influence as is
possible under any System.
Then tho question is narrowed
down to this ono proposition-tho
best service at the lowest price, every
thing boiug considered. am, there
fore, against this bill, and in my
Judgment we will accomplish the
best results by passing the appro-
prlation for the rural delivery ser
wee Just rs we do for the city delivery
service, in lump sum and without
restriction, leaving to the depart.
ment the task Of working out the de-
tails along lines suggested by OK.
perience and Il wide knowledge of
postal affairs. The department has
developed the service to its present
high state OF usefulness to the general
! satisfaction Of the country and large
ma jority Of this house, and I have
heard no sound reason for q change
except upon the ground Of economy
and freedom from political influence,
both Of which arguments have been
fully answered and left without force
in this discussion.
l'et me, in conclusion, appeal to the
friends of rural free delivery to stand
in solid phalanx against this bill,
and every other proposition brought
in here by the enemies Of the scr
vice. This appeal is made on behalf
of millions Of our people who live on
farms or follow other avocations
away from the mail advantages of
towns and cities. Before the estab-
llshment of rural delivery these peo.
pie rarely received mail moro than
once or twice a week, and we're, con-
sequentIy, practically cut off from
knowledge of and interest in the
affairs Of the world. Only those who
have led the life Of farmer IN the
thlnly settled communities of this
country can properly appreciate the
great blessing that this service is to
the country people.
beg you not to cripple it by any
false notions Of economy. The farmer
who was wont to labor in the fields
day in and day out and 90 home at
night to his frugal meal and lonely
tireside, with nothing to relieve the
monotony Of existence save, perhaps,
the occasional visit of a friend from
the nelghboring farm, is now taking
daily paper, which is delivered at
his door, and after his work is over
he reads it and keeps abreast of the
times. He has thrown off the lethar-
gy of isolation and taken on the spirit
Of progress and improvement. He
receives daily reports from the mar
kets, and knows when and where to
send his produce for sale; he introdu.
ces new methods in his work, which
reduces labor and expense; he diver
sliies his crops according to the de-
mands Of the market, and be takes
lively interest in the public ques-
tlons of tho day. He is, in short, an
np-to date American citizen, broad
ening and expanding in productive
power and intellectual force, and it
is but just to say that the system of
bringing to him his mail daily has
been a great step in the accomplish
ment of this wonderful change. Let
US not take from the country people
the one boon that the government
has given them directly; but let us
foster it and improve it; 80 that it
will meet the growing needs of the
hour, and in building up the country
people build up every other occupa.
tlon and branch Of industry.
| LETTER FROM SENATOR TILIMAN.
| lie Explains Ills Remarks Made in His
| Apology to the senate.