Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-28
Father of Rural Delivery.

In the news of the death of ex-Represent-
ative Richard H. Clarke of Alabama, pub
lished in The Star last evening this state
ment made:
He was spoken of by many of his friends
as the father of the rural free delivery sys-
tenn"
The honor of being the father of this
system is claimed by Tom Watson. and it
is Il distinction that he guards with in
tense jealousy. One of the very bitter and
acrimonious discussions recently engaged in
by Mr.. Watson concerns the parentage of
rural free delivery. Mr.. Watson quoted
Senator Bacon as having made without
challenge, the following statement on the
floor of the Senate February p. 1908:
When there have been DEVELOPMENTS in
those great discoveries, Inventions and re-
forms. after they have become the agents
for great growth and Development after
they have become interviewer in the bust
ness ana life of the country. then it is
matter of great Importance to know who it
was that originated them. Hence | think
1t is matter of justice to Mr. watson that
there should be now in this day of devel-
opment and success, the recognition of the
fact that the first appropriation ever made
Tor the purpose of inaugurating the free
delivery of mail in the rural districts was
inserted in the House of Representatives
upon the resolution of this distinguished
Georgian in the year 1893. Ii is due to him
that this honor should be accorded to him.
and for all time it will be to him an en-
during honor"
Substantially the same thing has been
said by Senator Clay and Representative
Hardwick
Writing lately on The Truth About the
Rural Free Delivery System Mr. Watson
says that during the long session of the
Fifty-second Congress two attempts were
made in behalf of the free delivery of
mail to country people. One resolution was
introduced by Representative Livingston
and one by Representative Watson. Neither
of the resolutions came to a vote After
the elections of 1872, lat which" saws Mr..
Watson. Mr.. Livingston had been returned
as elected. and l had been count ed out and
returned defeated" the matter of rural
delivery again came up during the short
session. At that session. Mr. " atsOu saws
Mr.. Livingston did not offer resolution
On February IL 1893, Mr.. Watson offered
an amendment to the general post office ap-
preparation BILL proposing that $1,000 be
spent on experimental free delivery of
mail to people living outside of cities,
towns and villages. Mr. Wanamaker
Postmaster General under President Har-
rison. had experimental with what was
then called rural free delivery but it did
not extend TO the delivery of mail outside
of towns and villages.
Mr.. Watsons amendment was strongly
supported by Representatives Ray of New
York, Houk of Ohio and O Donnell of Mich
igan. 1t was strongly opposed by Repre-
sentative James II. Blount, a colleague Of
Mr.. Watson and a member of the commit
tee on post offices and post roads. He de-
nounced the idea of rural delivery as sim
pie humbuggery.
The Watson amendment became law but
President Cleveland and Postmaster Cen
eral Bissel ignored it, and it was not until
the administration of Postmaster General
William l.. Wilson that the experiment of
country delivery of mail was tried. 1t was
then made in the mountain districts of
West Virginia, and was success
Among those who have been called the
father of rural delivery are Senator Lat
mer, Representative Livingston. Represent
&tive Bingham of Pennsylvania and Repre-
sentative Brick of Indiana