Arizona republican., 1907-07-19

postoffice, like the young lady, is con-
stantly making trouble even for Its
friends. The very small town, say OF
about one house at central point In
settlement, gets along all right for
the postoffice is only a NUISANCE ia
whoever permits himself to be loaded
up with 1t, and the postmaster who
accepts the job is hailed as public
benefactor. Being a willing sort of
a servant. the people generally load
him also with the responsibilities of
justice of the peace and notary public,
whereupon he becomes a saving grace
in the community, and sometimes even
martyr.
But when the community gets be-
yond its swaddling clothes and begins
to prance around in knee pants, the
first sign of it's commercial import
ance is noted in the pathological
symptoms that seize and sway the
postoffice. 1t becomes nervous, rest
less and finally irritable. Some morn
ing the patrons arise to find 1t has
been walking in its sleep. 1t may go
up the street, down the street, or
over across the wash. anywhere where
the rent Is free, or 1t suits the con-
venience of the postmaster, or can be
made to his personal advantage. This
is natural of course, but 1t is n little
hard on the fellows who have to buy
stamps and especially the old timers
who have got the postoff1ce habit
firmly inoculated in their systems and
hate to have IT disturbed.
The question is not merely acade-
mic but is practical in several differ
ent directions. Theoretically the
postoffice is for the benefit OF the peo-
pie. Practically, in any town Of good
growing size, and budding promise, II
is maintained particularly as a boost
for commercial interests. and incident
ally 1t is a convenience for the people
when they can keep up with 1t. The
government, the postmaster and ev-
erybody else in authority is willing
for the people TO get all the benefit
they can so long as II don't interfere
with business. This is no criticism Of
the government, or the postmaster in
any community for all communities
have had the same experience at the
same stage. 1t is only pointed out as
a natural human force that cannot be
destroyed any more than the law Of
gravity. though like gravity II can
sometimes be modified by the right
agencies. Phoenix had the same
trouble for about ten years and the
postoffice was dragged all over the
settlement until it finally got too large
to be pulled around that way. and the
government threw out an anchor that
seems TO be holding the old craft
steady in her present moOrings. The
postoffice is now adjusted to the town
but for a number of years the town
was kept busy re-adjusting Itself to
the postoffice.
Every large town has had this ex-
perience and after passing through 1t.
IL feels a little bit like it was in posi-
ton to drop a word Of advice to
younger communities which seem to be
entering upon the struggle. The par
ticular case in point is over in Pinal
county. Visitors from there report
that the postoffice germ is ulcerating
in both Kelvin and Ray and the fever
is spreading in both communities. In
one town the postoffice is located in
store and in the other town il is To-
Gated in a competing establishment.
Both stores appreciate its value and
naturally desire to retain il as
an institution for drawing people in
their respective directions. II is not