Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-12-16

menu Is CdpdDl0 Ol ulduy I0lOILuS
which would greatly increase it's
usefulness as a servant of the nation.
The present discussion of affairs in
the department is an opportune
moment to present these reforms to
the people SO that they may become
a popular desire.
Abuses of second class mail priv
leges have long been disgrace to
the postal service, but much has
now been done to correct them.
Alleged periodicals which were in
reality books, or merely advertising
mediums, or had a free circulation,
or an excessive sample copy dis
tribution were deprived Of the rights
of second class mail. The same was
denied news agents who formerly
returned their unsold matter at the
pound rate. The distinction be-
tween third and fourth class matter
that is between printed matter and
merchandise, forces the postal
authorities to ask the sender irri
tating questions and causes much
loss of time. Assistant Postmaster
General Madden has recommended
the consolidation of these two classes
at uniform rate of cent for every
two ounces. He suggests also the
use of postal checks, which would
be a great convenience in sending
money by post, and would prevent
the excessive use Of stamps, which
increases the robberies in small
offices where large supplies must be
kept on hand, and permits the post
masters to demand an increase in
salary owing to the large sale of
stamps. By parcels post those
who do not live near large cities
would be able to buy direct many
goods which they now receive
through the medium of country
stores. In Germany today it is
possible to order goods from any
part of the Empire and have them
sent cheaply and promptly by post,
charges collect. Parcels post exist
in nearly every European country,
but it has not been introduced in
this country simply because the
private express companies have been
powerful enough to prevent it. At
the head of the United States
Express company is Senator Platt.
This is but single instance of how
the companies have their interests
protected. The influence of these
private companies is great and OPP
posed to public, but it would be
powerless in the face of a real pub
lie desire for a parcels post. The
desire for it will come as soon as
people rialize it's value.
The new British ambassador to
this country will receive $50, 900 a
wear. Our ambassador to England
receives $17, 500.
The dowager Empress OF China
has issued an edict for the reform OF
the army and navy. Such edicts
are not likely to worry the Russians.
France has issued an official state
ment saying she will not sell the
islands Of ST. Pierre and MiQuelOn,
which lie off the south coast of New
foundland and form the remnant OF
her vast American possessions.
Carrying out his idea of sending all
European flags back across the At
lantic, Senator Lodge had suggested
that the United States buy these
islands from France.
A democratic daily of New York
says that the continual abuse of w.
J. Bryan should cease, as he has
turned out to be fine advertising
agent for his weekly paper.
In making his committee appoint
ments, Speaker Cannon has selected
men who are not personally inter
ested in the work assigned to them
so that they can take a broad nation
al view of the measures submitted
to their committees.