The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-02-28
Rural Free Delivery.

Ed1COr columbia Herald 1T Is Will
the greatest interest / have watched
the workings and success of the Rura
Delivery system. not only in our owl
county and state. but throughout tn,
United States 1t is surprising as well
as highly gratifying to see how rapidly
it is becoming self-sustaining. where
ever introduced. The argument thai
the expense might produce such 9
deficit in the postal department as to
render it impractical, has been an
sWered by the facts, and now the de-
partment has no fears on that score
1t is undoubtedly fraught with great
possibilities for good to the entire
nation in the near future.
In this immediate community the
benefits are 80 great and 80 signally
appreciated that / have heard a number
of responsible tax paying farmers agree
that they would not be willing to see
the service withdrawn for an annual
amount equal to their state and county
taxes That is the immediate benefit
we take into consideration the ultimate
results towards which this and kindred
agencies are tending, we cannot wonder
at their enthusiasm, as it will prove
to be Of national importance, and an
act by the Legislators of our country of
far reaching and benefcent statesman
ship.
No one who has observed the trend
Of events for the past forty years, has
failed to hote the rapid concentration of
population and wealth in the cities of
The country. Why has this been the
,ase7 Obviously because the sum total
If the advantages of city life compared
with those of country life, have been
10 vastly in favor of the former.
Without attempting to discuss the
advantages of either, and they both
lave many, the verdict of the Ameri
AN people, as indicated by their &C.
ions, is in favor of the city. We have |
My to call to mind that for every one
We have known to leave the city for
he country, we can count one hundred
Who have left their rural homes for the
ity. Nor is this confined to any one
lass, for it is the same with the
lch, the poor, the educated. the un-
earned, the white, the black.
It is just as essential to the well
eing and perpetuity Of any nation to
ave population, intelligence. and
yealth, in her country districts as in
er urban, for here we find the great
Conservative balance power Of any
alton. Hence, anything that makes
ountry life more attractive to the
lasses Of the people, so that this
drainage from the country ,
!, the city may be stopped and
he equilibrium restored, will be for the
utual benefit of the entire population. I
The great difference heretofore in Z,
vor of the city as against the country
Is been in the facilities furnished, by q
rect contact Of the people, for social,
ligious, educational, and business 8
tercourse. The day for urban COM @
unities to exclusively enjoy such
ivileges is past
These conditions can practically be
joyed by countrymen, through Rural
,livery, the parcels post, (which pro- O.
essive nations have adopted and is II
ly question of time until this coun- :,
7 falls in line, good roads, tele- :,
ones, and every Improvement that u
ads to bring people nearer together.
lating time and distance. The
Ills AtlduIlC udUlOuS are db near W US =,
W, as were the different states of =
} Union formerly. When the coun- .
: has become. through these means, n
some sense the suburbs of the city, "
d yet enjoying its peculiar ad re
ntages, then you will see one as =
,irable as the other, and the people
II change mutually from one to the
Ter as dictated by individual temporal
mt and taste, and mutual envies and
lousies will be no more.
III honor to Congressman Padgett,
l others who are pushing this inn
tant matter, for nothing of more
III concern to the people has engaged II
attention Of our government for 30
RS. VIC
heartily endorse the sentiments ssa
tanned in the article of j. N.
roney, published in your issue Of the J 4
inst, and also wish to commend
Herald for its course.
W. T. GALLOWAY.
Feb. "a, 1909. Y