Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-10-21

0fmOcfatfc gan the campaign uhS pro
Guced is the claim made by sumo OF the
lenders Of that party that the blessings
Of the rural free delivery system were
conferred on farmers by Democracy. No
more patent untruth was ever uttered.
4 INSTEAD OF PROMOTING RURAL
FREE DELIVERY, A DEMOCRATIC
+ ADMINISTRATION FLATLY RE
EEUSED TO HAVE ANYTHING TO
DO WITH THE MATTER, EVEN
EATER CONGRESS HAD APPRO-
EPRIATED MONEY TO ESTABLISH
EROUTES.
The fact is, DEMOCRACY ALWAYS
EHAS BEEN A STUMBLING BLOCK
lin THE PATH OF PROGRESS.
livery great national policy that has
proved to be boon to the people has
been bitterly fought by Democratic Con-
gressmen, urged on by Democratic news
papers.
Democracy has been well named the
rsparty of obstruction Two-thirds of
Ahe Congressional Record is taken up
with speeches and debate in opposition
70 wise Republican measures, and near
~ half of every session of Congress is
wasted by Democrats either in openly
6libustering or in talking against time,
with the view of delaying or killing bills
that would benefit the people
Will of Congress Defied.
And Democratic opposition to a benef-
.enf act does not always cease when
Congress has passed the law, as was the
.ase with rural free delivery. Near the
lose of President Harrison's admins
ration Republican Congress APP
,ropriated $4,000 for the purpose of
Establishing experimental rural free de-
livery routes, and Postmaster General
Tanamaker began experiments on six
outes. Before anything material could
1e done, however. Democratic admin
ptration came into power Mr.. Bissell
vas appointed Postmaster General, and
4e. with Mr.. Cleveland's consent. de-
lined to carry out the law. Congress
appropriated money again, with the same
esult--A DEMOCRATIC ADMINS
sRATION THE SECOND TIME DE
FLED THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE,
IS EXPRESSED THROUGH THEIR
REPRESENTATIVES, IN CON
sRESS. AND REFUSED TO IN
.UGURATE THE RURAL FREE
DELIVERY SYSTEM.
Mr.. Wilson followed Mr.. Bissell as
postmaster General, and he also decided
lat rural free delivery was mpracti-
able. President Cleveland was of the
me opinion, basing his objection TO the
heme on the ground that ii would cost
illions of dollars.
Ii is thus shown that Democracy did
very opposite of inaugurating rural
ee delivery Members of that party
ueht il in both houses of Congress,
Id President Cleveland and his cabinet
6cers put themselves above the legis-
tive branch of the government. and
rtually told Congress that it was sub
dlnate TO Democratic administra-
pn. 1t was case of the servant die
Slng to the master-an unwarranted
urpation Of power for a harmful pur.
se.
What Republicans Did.
To further show how utterly false is
smocracy's claim to the honor Of giving
rIners free delivery of their mail, fig
rs from government reports are here
Produced. The first appropriation for
ral free delivery was $4,000 in 1894.
e same amount was allowed by Con
SIS for 1895 and 1896, but the money
4 not used for the purpose intended,
has already been stated. In 1897,
en- the Mckinley administration came
3 power. only half dozen rural mail
ties had been established. and these
been partially put into operation
lr years previously under President
rrison. Democracy did nothing dur.
the Cleveland administration, except
block the wheels Of progress.
Vow mark the difference when the Re
,iicans came into power. Postmaster
1eral Smith unlike his predecessors.
Ell the establishment of many new
ties. In his annual report be said
he benefits accruing from the extension
postal facilities 70 the rural communi
may be summarized as follows In.
sed postal receipts, making many a
new deliveries almost Immediately
supporting. Enhancement or the value
arm lands reached by this service and
er prices obtained for farm products
ugh more direct communication with
markets and prompter information Of
r. state. Improved means Of travel
hundreds Of miles Of country roads
eially. IN the Western States having
graded specifically Nv order TO obtain
free delivery Higher educational In
ices, broader circulation OF the means
ublie intelligence, and closer daily con
with the great world Of activity extend
ths homes OF heretofore isolated rurai
nunities.
what Mckinley said.
resident Mckinley. in his message
Congress in 1900, speaking Of the
al service, said:
most striking new development is the
asion of rural free delivery.
service Ameiorates the Isolation OF
life, conduces TO good roads. and
sens and extends the dissemination Of
raj information Experience thus far
tended to allay the apprehension that
onld be SO expensive as to forbid its
sal adoption or make, II a serious bur
Its actual application has shown that
rreases postal receipts and can be nc
anied by reduction in other branches
e service. so that the augmented rev
and accomplished saving together
fiaiiy reduce the Get cost
hen President Roosevelt assumed
he vigorously champiOued extension
e service. Ia his first message 70
Fese he said:
ong recent postal advances The success
rnI free delivery wherever established
zen 50 marked aud actual experience
AIDE It's benefits 80 plain that the de-
for it's extension Is general aud ar
IL Is Just that the great agricultural