The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-16
Rural Delivery Boxes.

the report that the postoffice department
had decided to furnish boxes for the
rural free delivery service.
The fact Is that though numerous sug-
gestions have been made by the depart
ment and in congress for the furnishing
of rural boxes by the government at
cost, no action of the kind Indicated has
been either authorized or taken. The
patrons OF the rural free delivery service
are required, as heretofore to supply
their own boxes from lists approved by
the department, these boxes then falling
under the protection of the United States
statutes In regard to the safe delivery
of mails.
In this connection 1t is stated by the
postoffice department officials that they
have several times asked congress to au-
thorize the department to furnish boxes
to the patrons of the rural free delivery
at cost price, but that congress has re-
fused to take any such action. The eff
forts of the officials Will continue along
this line, however. and 1t will be their
endeavor to secure action. The present
status is most embarrassing to the postal
officials as the patrons of the service fire.
quently 20 to great expense to construct
letter boxes which are not in accordance
with the patterns approved by the gov
ernment, and which, therefore, must be
torn down or the government will refuse
to accept responsibility for the safe de-
livery Of mail through them.
Virginia Has Right to Statue.
Members of the Virginia delegation in
congress are not borrowing trouble be-
cause of the tempest stirred up by the
action of that state In naming Gen. Rob-
ert e. Lee as one of its favorite sons to
be immortalized in bronze or marble in
statuary hall in the United States capi-
tol. They are satisfied, from a search of
the statutes, that the choice rests with
the state, and not with congress. and
that whether formally accepted or not,
Virginia has the right to place the statue
In the reservation set aside for that
state.
AS originally enacted by congress the
statute giving authority to the various
states to place monuments in the capitol
building was an amendment to the sum
dry civil appropriation bill approved July
2, 1864. 1t now appears as section 1914 Of
the Revised Statutes. and reads as fol-
lows:
Suitable structures and railngs shall
be erected in the old hall of representa-
tives for the reception and protection Of
statuary, and the same shall be under
the supervision and direction of the chief
Of engineers In charge Of public buildings
and grounds.
And the President is authorized and
directed to invite all the states to pro-
vide and furnish statues. In marble or
bronze, not exceeding two in number for
each state. of deceased persons who have
been citizens thereof and illustrious for
their historic renown or for distinguished
civil or military services such as each
state may deem to be worthy of this ma
tional commemoration. And when so fin
ished the same shall be placed in the old
hall OF the house of representatives. in
the capitol of the United States. which is
n.
necessary as national statuary hall for
the purpose herein Indicated"
The expression, "Such as each state
may deem to be worthy" is the only
condition made by congress. and II is
held that each commonwealth Is given
absolute freedom of selection. Dictation
on the part of congress would be un-
precedented. and criticism of the action of
any state no less so.
Virginia has voted General Lee as one
lcontInued on Second Paasl.