The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-03-27
EXTENDING POSTAL SYSTEM.

In discussing the extension Of the pos.
tai system the SPRINGFIELD Mass. Repub-
lican says: "A very noteworthy expan.
sion Of the United States postal service
Is going on in the direction Of rural free
delivery, and the temper Of the country
in regard TO it has been no doubt faith
fully represented in the national house
during the past two weeks when bill
10 put the rural carriers under the CON
tract system came up for consideration
More short speeches were made on this
bill thar have been heard in the house
for many a day Sentiment proved to
be overwhelmingly against the postof
fee committee, and its bill was buried
under IN avalanche Of votes. Why, it
was asked let ont on contract the deiy.
cry Of tlo mails in the country districts
and not in the cities? Why consult
cheese pairing economy when the farm
err mail came TO be considered, and not
in the case of the city resident who is
within easy reach Of the postotiiccy
| And so it was voted. cost what it may
! TO continue the present plan OF direct
yearly compensation while the maxi
mum pay to carriers wa9advanced from
$500 to 5000
This vote assures to the country dis
tricts u rapid and general extension Of
free delivery. Already within les.
than two years, this service has been
more than tripled in extent At the be
ginning Of the fiscal year, 1901 or IN
| July, 1901 there were 1916 rural mail
carriers in employment by the govern.
mcnt aud late last year when the post
master general made his report the
number was 1901, One fourth Of tLr
country considered available for thi-
/ service has been covered, aud new routes
are being organized to take up the rest
Of the eligible sections rs fast ~ posi-
bic. II was presumably to prevent
! this extention Of the service from caus
| ing Al undue deficit in the postal rcye-
nues that the contract system of employ
/ ing carriers was presented to the house
/ bat the temper Of representatives was
! decidedly hostile 10 any measure seem
ing to belittle the Importance Of the
! farmers mail service.
This extension IF free rural delivery
/ has Of course come 10 stay and TO en-.
! brace all settled sections of vast ma
tional domain The farmer is no longer
10 be- compelled TO drive TO the village
often many miles away, for his letters
| papers and packages, or 10 dispatch hi,
own letters The United States govern
ment will send "A mail wagon 10 hi.
door, and if the agent Of the govern
ment wishes 10 add on IN errand bust
ness for the farmer or his family, he j.
privileged to do so Representative,
speaking on the contract employment
bill told Of the wonderful effects thi,
service was achieving in their districts
The country people were holding closer
communication with the outside worlt
than was before dreamed TO be possible
They we're writing and receiving nor,
letters, taking more papers and maya
zines, buying more books and parce
merchandise. Free rural delivery is i'm
proving the roads and giving new lif,
and light to the farm population. 1t i
making residence there more attractive
, promoting a more active and whole
some social life aud tending to checl
, the drift TO the cities
. 1t must be SO. The service is Ger
tainly 10 be a great ciyiliLing, educat
/ ing so"ializinR force among the people
) And along with il to the same end goe
the electric railway and the TELEGRAPH
, and telephone. In the central IVES
particularly, the rural telephone seryic
il becoming al important feature O
this great modern development Of inter
communication Soon no doubt IL vii
H.. A a. -