The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-26
FRIDAY, FEB. &c, 1904.
FOR RURAL MAIL CARRIERS.

One of the measures before congress
that ought to receive the heartiest
support is a bill introduced by Con-
gresham McCleary, of this state, as
reported in the special Washington
advices of The Globe. The pro-
posal is to increase the salaries of ru-
raj free delivery carriers to $500 the
first year, 1920 the second and $3.50 the
third and following years. 1t is I'M
derstood, we suppose, though not
clearly expressed, that these carriers
will then be placed under the classi-
fled service and governed by the civil
service rules. 1t is a condition that
they would not, under this arrange
ment, be permitted to do an express
and agency business.
This is a question that has engaged
the attention of the newspaper pub
fishers. as we'll as of others concerned
with public affairs, and created a.
somewhat divided opinion. We think
that there can be no real doubt Of the
correct principle that should govern.
The mail carrier for the rural service,
as well as the city carrier, should
have fair living wage. He should
not be compelled to exc out a starva-
ton allowance by engaging in other
lines of business. The necessity for
performing those outside services that
he now renders faithfully and to the
satisfaction of those along his routes
should be removed, and there ought to
be no partnership between public and
private affairs. A newspaper or a
business house should not be permit
ted to advance its private interests
through the agency of any person in
the federal employ. AS compensation
for what he may thus lose, the mail
carrier should receive better wages
than he now earns.
Opposition to this policy can come
only from those who either have used
or desire to use the federal service
unfairly, so as to give one private en-
terprise an unjust advantage over an
other 1t is at least conceivable that
a congressman who has obtained the
appointment of certain mail carriers
OF the country, and who has among his
constituents interests that he is es-
pecially DESTROYS to piacate, might ad-
wise his appointees that 1t would be
to his interest for them to act as
agents for and increase the business OF
certain concerns-mercantil or news
paper or whatever they might be-as
against their competitors. Such things
have happened. This is absolutely I'M
fair. and a perversion of the federal
influence that ought not to be permit
ted.
We do not believe that the abuse has
been at all general. We absolve the
rural mail carrier entirely from any
responsibility for it where 1t exists
since he is acting under pressure or
one side and on the other is practi-
caliy compelled to do something f.
make an honest living on account y,
the niggardliness of the government
We appreciate that his work as ar
agent and sort of middlenan he.
tween people in the country and bust.
ness concerns in the city has beer
helpful to both parties. Nevertheless
the possibilities of abuse in the fut,,r.
are SO great and so certain to bs
realized that we say emphaticallv tbi.
practice ought to be abolished. Pa,
the rural mail carrier for his work ub.
orally, and then forbid him to engag.
IN any kind of private business in con.
neetion with if. This alone is safs
1alr and consistent with the prfncinI.
OF 'non-intervention by which all GU,