Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-17
Post Check Currency.

Post Check Currency.
The demand for the post check as
means of sending money through the
mails gains ground steadily, and the
people, all Of whom whether in city or
country, would be convenienced by it,
are becoming more and more insistent
for the innovation with each recurring
Congress.
Under the post check system the re-
mitter would be saved the trip TO the post
Office, and would need but to take one,
two or fve-dollar bill from his pocket
book, fll in the blank spaces that would
appear upon its face, put a two cent
stamp in the space provided, as a fee, and
enclose the bill in his letter, thus max
ing the ordinary currency Of COM
merce Immediately convertible into what
Is practically a check on the government,
all without leaving bis Office or home
This places the means Of remitting for
merchandise from the local merchant in
the hands Of the farmer or the city laborer
without bank account, and also gives
him better facilities for subscribing to his
local paper or his favorite trade journal.
The three elements necessary 70 a
perfoot system simplicity, safety and
convenience-meet in the post check in
happy combination. It also solves the
problem Of furnishing the people clean
money, through the frequent redemption
and reissue Of currency which would fol-
low.
The people may well inquire why this
convenience has not been given them.
It fully meets their requirements; has
been shown TO be more than seli-sustain-
ing has received the approval Of postal
officinls, organizations of business men in
large cities, farmers, boards Of health,
and was favorably reported by the Post
Office Committee Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives in the Fifty-seventh Congress.
But it has had powerful opponents, actu-
ated by purely selfish motives, as well ~
firm friends The chief of the opposition
has been Thomas C. Platt, one Of the
Senators who is supposed to represent
the great State Of New York, but who il
president Of an express company, and
really looks after the interests Of the ex.
press company Trust in Congress. He
has gone so far as to state openly to the
friends Of the bill that he is opposed to il
because the post check would compete
with the express money-order. His able
lieutenant in the fight against the post
check was Ellis II. Roberts, until recently
Treasurer Of the United States, an ap
pOinte Of Platt's. These two were able
TO block the efforts Of the friends Of the
bill until recently. But the will Of the
people will not be much longer thwarted
by those having selfish interests to serve
and the prospects for this legislation are
now bright. The bill is again before Con.
gress; Senator Platt is in disgrace and hi.
influence discredited, not only becaus,
of the insurance revelations, but becaus,
his seat Is in danger on account Of th'
petition presented to the Senate by G. W
Post for his expulsion on the ground tina
he Is the head Of combination or trus
Of express companies, in violation Of tn
Antitrust laws, and because Of his openl,
avowed purpose TO oppose Legislation
which, while benefting all the people
will compete with express company busi
ness. Roberts is no longer treasurer an,
able to block matters in the department
the President having refused to reappoin
him and continue him in a position wher
he could favor the interests of his politica
sponsor by throwing contracts for carry
ing currency to Platt's express company
The chairman Of the postoffice committe
Of the House, Mr. Overstreet, has promises
consideration of the bill by his committe
at an early date, and the friends Of tn
measure look for favorable report. III
Postmaster-G General who, more than an
other incumbent for many years, is givin
the needs Of the service careful and cor
scientious study, has asked Congress fc
legislation.
For many reasons the people may fe'
encouraged to believe that the time
ripe for legislation which win give thel
this much-needed postal convenienc,
But they must make their wishes know
TO their national lawmakers. We urr
our readers therefore to write our memb,
of Congress to do all in his power to hay
the post check currency bin prompt
reported from the postofioe committC
and passed by the House at this session
DIR. Hiram r. Burton is Delaware's Rey
resentative, and he may be reached
letters directed in care Of the House
Representatives at Washington.