The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-08-18


The rural free delivery of mail Is
growing so rapidly that one hesitates
to name any figures tending to show
the number of people served. AS long
AGO as November, 1902, nearly twelve
thousand routes had been established;
the carriers engaged Travelled 2'soOo
miles of country roads and served
about seven millions OF the strictly
rural population with their daily mall.
It is likely that the number Is much
nearer ten millions today
Due credit must be given the re-
publican administration for developing
this gigantic system OF rural FREE de-
livery. IL ei.'bl -
been lavish money-spenders-b LUIS
is the first instance where public rev.
enues have been expended under re-
publican direction in the interest OF
ALL the people, instead of for lav-
ored few-because it is just as desir-
able for the urbanite to be able to
reach his rural brother by quick mali
service, as it is for the rural citl-
zen to be reached.
The greatest credit for any bless
ing to mankind is always accorded
him in whose mind the thing Origin
ated. Nobody today thinks Of giving
credit to present day makers OF steam
engines for the application OF steam
power to manufacturing and transpor-
tatiOn, but the public mind instlnc-
lively turns to Watts. Robert Fulton
and a few others. The blessing OF
rural free delivery is due to the 'ener-
gy and we'll directed efforts OF Hon.
Thomas E. Watson of Georgia, the
peoples party candidate for president.
He it was who, seeing free delivery
of mail in the larger cities grand
success, and seeing Postmaster Gener-
al Wanamakers experiments with free
delivery in smaller cities and towns
.(under the misleading name OF "Tu-
rail- delivery, conceived the idea that
il the United States could expend the
public revenues in delivering mail to
the urban population, equal rights
to all, special privileges to nome abb
solutely demanded that the rural pop
ulation should have similar service.
Mr. Watson was too far-sighted a
statesman to attempt the establish
ment OF rural free delivery at one fell
swoop. He knew the forces he had to
deal with. He knew how difficult it
would be to secure an appropriation
to be expended in behalf of any but
the benefciaries OF special privileges
in control Of the government So his
first demand was so modest-only a
paltry $4,000, mere bagatelie TO the
oe 0f
money--that, with persistent watching
and hard fighting, he finally secured
what he asked.
>Aor something like four years ths
postal Authorities refused to cxpend
the Watson appropriation; but finally
start was made in a small way, one
OF the first routes being out OF Ilyatts-
vile. Nd So rapidly did the system
spring into public favor that the re-
publican administration was compelled
to develop it, even in face of the
knowledge that the socializing effects
of rural free delivery must finally
accomplish the overthrow OF tha
party For the farmer has been ant
still is the mainstay of the republican
party; but after his intense indlv i'd
ualIsm is worn away by the use d
rural telephones, rural free delivery o
mails. good roads and the like. he viii
be better equipped for co-operativ,
action and this will ultimately TAX,
him away from the < o. D. Cooper
alton among farmers has been difficu
ut accomplishment heretofore. be
cause cooperation can not live with
OFT ready communication. And tn,
rapid growth of farmets co-operatlv,
shipping associations can in larg'
measure be traced directly TO tina
then rnnoticed appropriation OF tel
thousand dollars secured by Mr. Wat
son
Wherever blessing 90 mankind ha
been introduced. IL IN not Ions befur
protenders spring mp on every hani
claiming the credit for It's discover,
or introduction Credit for the bless
ing OF rural free delivery Ia due al
rectly 10 Thomas H. Watson. Az ia
Missouri World truthiully remarks
Every one NJ the tena OF thousand
OF rural mail boxes IA stump specel
In favor ot Tom Watson Tor lieal
dent" And on election dag there vii