The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1906-06-06
II CARRIERS
GET
Will be Allowed Fifteen Days Annual
Vacation With Full Pay In Addition
to Regular Holidays.

amendment to the p%ostoffice appropria-
tion bill providing that rural delivery
carriers of the country shall have an
annual vacation Of fifteen days exclu-
sive of holidays and Sundays. In advo-
eating his amendment Senator Clay
addressed the Senate at length.
Senator Clay called attention to the
fact that the present bill carries an APP
preparation for rural free delivery SER
vice of $28, 600, 900, an increase of ST.
DOC, 600 over the bill Of last year. Com
menting upon the growth thus indicated
he said:
"The history of rural free delivery is
both interesting and gratifying to the
farmers of the United States. This
service was first put in operation in
1896. Only $4,000 was appropriated
for the year 1897, but eighty-three
routes being in operation at the end of
that year.
when the department began the eX-
pertinent of sending mail to the doors
of the 20, 600, 900 farmers of the country
this laudable work met with strenuous
opposition" said Senator Clay. at
was predicted that the expense would
be enormous and that the task would
never be accomplished. Thoughtful
men realized the value of that service
and pressed with great energy, and IN
firing industry that the farmers in
every state might receive their mail
daily at their homes, thus enjoying the
pleasure and profit to be derived from
reading the daily newspapers. In this
way farm life was to be made more at
tractive and the farmer was to come in
daily contact with the social and bust
ness world. In my opinion more real
benefit is derived from this apprcpria-
ton than from any other appropriation
made by the government for public
service. | do not under-value the i'm
portance of the strength and power of
our army and navy. Both are essential
to the security and protection of the
American people. But with a happy,
contented intelligent rural population
the future of the American republic is
safe"
Senator Clay presented a table show
ing the rapid progress the service has
made since 1896. From the eighty
three routes of 1897, costing $40, 600,
the service has grown to 80, 055 routes
in 1905, costing $21, 116, 60. Since the
end of the fiscal year of 1905 there have
been added 6,119 routes, making the
total established to date, 3S, TIA.
Speaking of concessions and privileges
that should be extended the rural car
riers, Senator Clay said:
"In my judgment the carriers should
be given permission to carry packages
for the accommodation of their pat
rons. The privilege should be given
farmers wives to purchase small neces-
sary articles at the village shop through
the rural carriers it is ~inconvenient for
them to go themselves to the markets."
He also favored granting the carriers
an annual leave or vacation, as is
granted other employees of the govern
ment, and that there be an allowance
for subsistence for their horses.
Reverting to the value to the farmer
of the daily newspapers, Senator Clay
said; "He is enabled thereby to keep
in touch with the worlds advance, to
be posted on urrent events, and to un.
derstand current markets. Man is a
social creature. He cannot live by him
self. He is anxious to communicate
with others and to know what is going
/ ON - A. 81
lation and loneliness brings about dis
satisfaction with country life. The
rural carrier each day brings sunshine
and happiness to the country home
The extraordinary extension of rural
free delivery during the past ten years
has proved to be most salient significant
and far-reaceing. Who can calculate
the benefits that have thus far accrued
from this service. The farm is brought
into daily contact with the currents and
movements of the business world. We
know that the disposition to leave the
farm is a familiar effect of our past
conditions. This tendency has doubt
less been greatly checked by the rural
NV hSiiHSiy Z y lIlS service
brings the farm within the daily range
of the intellectual and commercial ac-
~tivities of the world and commercial
and monotony which have been the
bane of agricultural life are sensibly
mitigated. The standard of intelligence
is raised, enlightened interest in public
affairs is quickened, and better citizen
ship follows.
'To make this service a success"
continued Senator Clay, 1--WE must not
neglect the rural carrier. He must be
paid reasonable and fair remuneration
for his services. He must be taught to
feel a pride in his work, and that faith
full service on his part, will be appre-
ciated and rewarded by the govern
ment. The rural carrier, like other
employees of the government, needs and
must be given at least fifteen days va
cation each year."