Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-12-04

quet rendered him in Milwaukee Ger
tainly were important events. He
came in the interests of the postofice
department on a mission which he
conceived to be of great interest &c
the people of the country. He sought
an opportunity to submit his views
upon two large questions to the con
alteration of the people. This opporru
nifty was afforded by a banquet ten.
dered by Postmaster D. G. owen OF
Milwaukee and participated in Ly lead.
ing bankers and business men OF that
city.
The gathering was notably a repre-
sentative one. The banquet was SUI
perb, the postmaster general was at
his best. In an engaging and enlight-
ening manner he submitted his views
upon the two questions uppermost In
his mind-pOstal savings banks and a
parcels post. His reasons for the
adoption of these measures by con-
gress were convincing and met with
hearty response from his auditors.
His address has been generally ad-
yerted to by the public press, there
fore | will not enlarge upon it.
What l especially wish to call at
tention to at this time is the position
which Wisconsin hitherto has occu-
pied in reference to one of the great,
est departments in our government, -
the postofhce department.
Since the administration of Abra.
ham Lincoln this state has furnished
to the government four postmasters
general, something which has not
been done by any other state in the
ulion. The first representative which
Wisconsin had in this department was
Alexander w. Randall, our great war
governor in 1860 and 1861. He was ap-
pointed first assistant postmaster gen
eral by President Lincoln and filed
that position with much credit. On
the death of Lincoln and the acces.
sion to the presidency of Andrew john
son, Randall, being in the department,
was promoted to the position of post
master general.
The next citizen of this state to be
appointed to this high office was Elk
United States Senator Timothy o.
Howe, who received his appointment
from President Arthur, tire successor
to President Garfield after the lat
ter's assassination.
President Arthur's administration
was succeeded by that of Grover
Cleveland, democrat, which was
something new under the sun, Tut
whose administration started out I'M
der rather favorable auspices. Mr..
Cleveland selected as his postmaster
general one of the most distinguished
democrats of wisconsin-Wilnam f.
Villas of Madison. His administration
was successful, and think 1t can be
said that his term was characterized
by the incipiency OF measures which
afterwards broadned out into practic-
al results with great benefit and adj
vantage to the country.
Theodore Roosevelt, successor TO
President Mckinley, retained the lat
ter's cabinet. On the resignation OF
Charles Emory Smith, postmaster
general. and after the ground had
been over well, President Roosevelt
made selection of Henry C. Payne,
another citizen of Wisconsin to fill
this responsible trust. During Mr..
Payne's rather brief incumbency he
proved to be superior executive
officer and accomplished much in the
inauguration of the rural free delivery
system throughout the country. and
also in forwarding the progress of the
department in many other particulars
which had received such brilliant
start