Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1904-09-08
vice PERSISTENT and now as the candidate


members Of their own party for advocat-
ing any reasonable modification or
change, and all those who are waxing
rich at the expense Of the people, the pro-
tected classes and the criminal rich, =
will be asked to look upon Theodore
Roosevelt us their friend and protector.
No man should be prescribed for a
change OF opinion if it is the result Of re-
search or the fruit Of mature judgment
But it may and often doesindicateme
tai instability or a willingness to yield
principle for place.
The Republican campaign book has
made it's appearance and is filled with
lies, false claims, cant and hypocrisy from
beginning to end
Among the numerous other misstate-
ments OF the Republican Campaign Book
is the one claiming for that party the
origination ofrural free delivery for the
benefit Of farming communities. There
was no rural feee delivery prior TO 1892.
Postmaster General Wanamaker had re-
commended It's extension to smaller cities
and villages, but had not recommended
free delivery TO the farmingcommunities.
The first suggestion Of that kind was
proposed by the Hon. l.. +. Livingston,
Democratic member from the State 81
Georgia, when he Offered the following
amendment to the Post Office Appropria-
ton Bill, on June %, 1892:
Amend line 10, page3, bystriking out
the word 90 and inserting the word (,
and also after the word dollars, in line
II theseworks, provided that 100000,
shall be used for experimental free rural
delivery outside the towns and villages. ?
(See Congressional Record, LIST Session,
52d Congress, pages 1892
That amendment was ruled out on q
point Of order, and other similar amend
ments offered by Democrats met the saHse
fate.
In the following session Of the succeed
ing Congress, February II, 1893, an
amendment was offered by Hon Thomas
e. Watson, at that time Democratic
member from the State oiGeorgia, 10 the
Post Office Appropriation BiIi, provid.
ing that $4,000 be expended by the
Postmaster-Gene M anexperiment for
rural free delivery to the farmers This
being a Democratic Congress, that
amendment was adopted, aud the lsill as
amended became a law. Mr.. Harrison
was then President and Mr. Wannmaker
Postmaster-Gen The appropriation
however, was not used during their term
81 Office, nor during the FIRST two yenrs
under Mr.. Cleveland Democratic Con.
crosses, however, continued making az.
preparations, aud In 1895 $4,000 was
appropriated for this purpose aud during
the fiscal year 1s961s97, under Post
lAaster General Wilson, Democrat, the
first ~ rural routes wereestablisheJ, the
lirst route being established ia BaFtho-
lomew County, Indiana. IN 1896.
In the Record Of March ~. 1901, IL.
eluded ia the remarks Of Hon. G. Il.
Thomas, Of North Carolina, will beiound
letter from Postmaster. General Payne.
dated February %, 1901. addressed 10
the Hon. l.. r. Livingston, HOUSE oi Re
representatives., containing the following.
Sir Replying to your letter u tbs
18th instant making certain Inquiries
relative to the history Of rural free deli
very service, would refer you 90 the
nets making appropriations Tor the pos
tai service for the fiscal years 1893. 4 +.
1915, 1855, 1907 from which I
quote ne follows
=" 1s90-Is07, for free deli.
very service, in all, Sl2,sls,25O.
Provided further that 100000 Of this
amount may be used 20 deirny the ex :
pensese of experiments IN rural free deliv.
cry, under the direction Of the POa,nas-
ter General, and that the amount hereto
fore appropriated Tor this purpose and
still unexpended be ayailable for said "a :
periments
During this fiscal year, s4rural routes
were established on the order OF Post.
master General Wilson"
lSigned) llrsY &, PAYSE.
Postmaster General.
This was therefore the inception Of
rural free delivery to the farmers. IL
was originated by Democrat. first ap.
propriated by democratic Congress,
and instituted by a Democratic Execu-
tive. Like all reforms Of that kind ia
the postal service, itbegan, Of course in "a
small way AZ an experiment. IL was
continued as an experimental service, the
appropriations rapidly increased, re-
ceiyed in the House always a practically
unanimous Democratic vote, and several
times the appropriations We're increased
upon the motion Of "A Democratic mem-
Der. Having demonstrated itsuseiuness
TO the farming communities, the service