The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-08
RURAL ROUTES
AND ! POLITICS. |. | | }
Despite Assertions of Postoffice
Officials, Republicans Are
Systematically Favored.
CONTROL OF LIQUOR TRAFFIC
Striking Suggestion Made BY
Member Of Virginia Con-
orocc;o,,, n ,Iory, ii,
grcssional Delegation

q UTrom Cur Regular Correspondent) "a
Il WASHINGTON, d. c., July .7.--Rurnl
free delivery statistics show that tho First
Congressional District OF Tennessee, rep
resented by w. q. Brownlow. ties with
the Tenth District Of Iowa, in the num-
Der Of rural free delivery routes es-
tabishcd and that they are the banner
rural free delivery districts In the United
I States 1t is probable that the First Ten
ncsscc Will be ahead OF the Tenth Iowa
before The end OF the present month. Each
Of these districts nov have 263 routes es-
tabished. but the Tennessee congressman
still has the most petitions pending.
An analysis Of the departments figures
would seem to show that there is poll
tics In the establishment OF rural routes.
despite the assertions Of the postofiice
officials to the contrary. For instance 1t
can hardly be urged that there is occa-
sion for twice rs many routes in the
First Tennessee District as there is for
any other district in the entire South.
and yet they are there. 1t can hardly
have "just happened so.'' that there
should be fewer reflections in that dis
trici represented by Democrat. either
In Tennessee or any other State In the
country. It could hardly have been a mere
matter OF chance that in Democratic dis
trcts there are almost without cxcep-
ton more rejected petitions than there
arc In districts that Republican. SO 1t
Is In the matter of pending Applica lions.
The figures show that almost without
exception the Republican members get
more prompt consideration for their petit
tions than the Democrats do.
1T Might Prejudice the People,"
Congress recently enacted n law pro-
yiding that no railroad should keep stock
IN cars longer than twenty-eight hours
without giving them water and feed.
Is From the day OF Its enactment TO the
present the majority OF railroads have
wlfuly and persistently violated Its pro-
visions. despite frequent adp,onitions
from the Department of Agriculture.
Finally the department decided to prose-
cute the railroads violating the law, and
over 1900 cases were made out against
railroads in every State in the Union.
In order to get the cases against the
roads operating In territory covered by
this paper the writer went to the solicit
tor for agriculture and asked to see
the list. but that official refused point
blank to show It., saying that it would
not be shownsto any newspaper r man. And
then In explanation OF his action he
said that Il might create an unjust pre-
3ndice against the railroads. and at least
make feeling against them.
1T may be true that It would create
some feeling against the railroads, :" re-
piled the correspondent "but II they have
nh r1ofi ~. =
stock shipping law. what reason is there
that you should now be so careful as to
not hurt their dear feelings? And further
more. the cases will come up in the courts!
after you have put them into the hands
of the Department OF Justice, SO what are
the odds whether the Information is given
out piecemeal then. or as a whole now?"
To which the solicitor replied that 1t
would be unjust to the railroads. 1t is
rather paradoxical that he should take
such a position.
To Control the Liquor Traffic
A member Of the Virginia congressional
delegation who is neither visionary nor
dreamer, but one OF the most level headed
men In the State, in the course OF a re-
cent conversation while here. suggested a
new method OF dealing with the liquor
question. and 1t seems to be about tho
I'iost 'osicai proposition yet brought Tor
ward for overcoming the evils attendant
upon. and growing put OF the sale OF In
toxicating liquors.
Enact law prohibiting the drinking
OF liquor at the place where 1t Is sold,
and you will abolish nine-tenths OF the
evils OF the liquor traffic" Is the way he
put IT.. do you know" he continued,
that very few men would get drunk IL
It were not for this habit OF treating. It
Is the come and have a drink with me.
and then the have one on me- that
makes men drunkards. When we get
ready to enact such a law we will have
taken our most important step In con-
trolling the liquor traffic..