The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-03-30
IT. &c stated of good authority that

It is stated of good authority that
the mail received by the patrons on
these routes has been increased several
hundred per cent since their es ablish-
ment. Is it not reasonable to suppose
that this tremendous increase in mail
received is due, in large measure, to
the establishment of the rural delivery
system? And if due to this Syste m.
should it not be considered part OF
the earning capacity of the system
The total cancellation of stamps for
mail collected on the rural routes
during the period referred to on 4S,
954 800 pieces amounted to S949,.4H, or
$11 % per month for each carrier, Is
but small part of their earnings, II
you consider that 303 3,49S,l2o pieces
were delivered by them in the rural
districts during the soc period-some-
thing like six times more than was
delivered during like period under
the old system. -.
IF the carriers receive credit for
inst proportion of the cancellations on
account of increased delivery it can
readily be seen that they are at least
self sustaining, if not a source OF
revenue There is one other financial
feature which we should bear in mind
| in passing. This increase of communl-
cation between country and town un,
Idoubtedely increases commercial
transactions and results in profit to
the towns The cities and towns are
we'll compensated for any tax for the
purpose. e.,
The good people living in the coun-
! try deserve as much consideration at
the hands of the government as THESE
who live in the towns and cities. Mil
| lions are voted annually for. the
improvements Of rivers and harbors.
Other millions are sought for ship
subsidies and others for special fast
mail trains between large cities. Why
cannot a reasonable amount be appro-
priated for the improvements of
country life and in aid of scientific
farming? (Applause)
The country, where lives many OF
the best of our population, the great
storehouse from which our cities must
draw new blood, after the inevitable
decline that comes to all overcrowded
sections. should be made as attractive
as the city. At least portion OF the
wealth which now,,hoWs into the popu-
lous sections should be retained in the
country by the intelligent snd indust-
rious farmers; and it should be the
policy of the government, within
reasonable bounds, to use every ottort
to induce them to remain there IN con-
| tentment.
Let us return specifically to the cause
of the carriers. The city carriers are
paid 81 900, $500, and $500, respectively
and where it is necessary they are are
furnished a conveyance. or $500
n lieu of a conve vance. They walk
the streets of wellpaved city and are
at no. expence for they own mainte-
nance. 1t is seldom that he resigns !;
once the position is secured he grows
gray in the service,
How is it with the rural carrler?. he
is paid only $500, and he is required
to furnish his own horse, buggy. har-
ness at cost of about $3.50 or $500 to
start with. This outfit must necessarily
be replaced with new one at the eno
of three years. Those who are INFORM
ed know that II miles day the
year round, or 25 miles every other day
is the full capacity of a good ROADSTER,
and when driven more than this a horse
seldom lasts for more than about two
wears. The carrier must pay out
about $40 year for horse feed,
repairs to vehicles and harness and
shoeing horses
It can be safely asserted that he
must pay out capital $500 per year,
which leaves only $500 for his services
and with which so maintain himself
and family. ,.,
Contrast, if you please, the Difficult
ties of his service with those OF his
fellow-car in the city. His round
of 25 or 80 miles must be made every
day, over roads often almost impass-
able. In sweltering August and freez-
ing January he must trudge over the
same dreary route, braving the danger
of crossing swollen streams, meeti' G
highwaymen, numerous other posslple
attendant dangers. And for what!
For the pitiful sum of $500.
But some will say that the people
are anxious for the places even at the
price. Granted that they are. 1t does
not Justify a parsimonious policy on
the part of the government, and, above
all things, an unfair discrimination
against him. There is no justice in
this parsimonious treatment. we
should provide more liberaliiy 1or
those oyerworked and underpaid
public servants. (Applause.) ,
Is there any wonder that our ru al
carriers frequently resign? In South
| Carolina alone about seventy have
resigned in the two or three years that
the system has been in operation vhere,
while in the United States something
like 10 per cent of the whole number
EMPLOYED resigned in single year:
Mr.. Speaker, no employer on this
floor cares to pay less for work than
fair, living wages. .,,. ILL.,.
Surely we ought not Willingly, take
advantage of the extremity OF the
poorer carriers, who must work to
support themselves and families, even
if it is for a mere subsistence, when we
are generally so liberal in our approp,,
riatlons for public services, past and
present.
The rural free delivery has long since
passed the experimental stage; 1T has
the approval of our best citizens,
North and South, as no other public
measure has, It is time we are begln-
ming to look on it as a reality and give
it adequate support, for in no other
way are the peoples taxes returned
more directly to them. ,ooo
As stated, my bill provides $500 per
annum for the pay of each rural carrier.
1t is not graduated for the reason that
the greatest expense is incurred on
entering the service; and even this
amount will not put him on equal
footing with the city carrier Loud