The Columbus journal., 1908-10-07

tive legislation which resulted In the
significant accomplishment, set forth
BY the Postmaster General 1t II el0-
quently prophetic of q worldwide pen
ny postage, for which the credit will be
due to a Republican administration.
Sixth UAiveFsal Postal Congress.
The Sixth Universal Postal Congress
convened In the city Of Rome. Italy.
April and continued until May 26,
1906. Sixty-five countries. including the
United States, were represented. The
assembly was for the purpose Of dis
cussing the postal systems Of all nations
and. If possible, agreeing upon measures
for the improvement In all practical
ways. Of the regulations governing in
ternatiOnal intercourse through the
mails. The first congress Of this kind
met In Berne, Switzerland. In 1874.
The United States P0st0face Depart
ment was represented In this World
Postal Congress by two delegates-the
Superintendent Of Division Of Foreign
Mails. as in previous postal congresses.
and the Hon. Edward ROsewater OF the
Omaha Bee, who had also served in the
preceding postal congress.
Move for Universal Penny Postage.
At this Universal Postal Congress
representatives Of the United States
proposed q universal tw0-cent postage
to all nations. The Hon. ]. Henniker
HeatOn, II. p, who is the father of the
two-cent idea In England, speaking Of
Americas action at the Rome conven-
ton, in standing out for universal
twO-cent postal rate. said:
The British members stood coldly
by. They did not recognize that this
was q great historic occasion, q worthy
parallel Of that solemn scene on July
4, 1776. when the Declaration Of indie
pendence was adopted: for II the
Americans are illing to adopt penny
postage to all parts Of the world. 1t fol-
lows that they are willing to establish
1t to the British Empire and form with
us a Restrictive Postal Union"
The Hon. Whitelaw Reid. Americas
Republican minister to the Court Of st.
James. praised the work Of the Ameri-
can delegation and solicited the friendly
cooperation of the British government
at Fourth Of July banquet speech in
London in 1906. Mr.. Reid said:
The American people hoped for
closer and cheaper communications
with all other nations as the best means
Of promoting better acquaintance and
perpetuating friendship. They were
.gratified to find that the British apostle
Of penny postage (Mr. Heaton) at this
moment focusing his efforts on what
ought to be the easy task Of persuad-
ing the authorities on both sides of the
Atlantic. that it was as cheap to carry
a letter from London to New York as
from London to Calcutta or from New
York to Mainland quite as useful"
America. Republicans Lead the Way
So it has come to pass that the Unit
ed States. under its Republican admin
istration. has finally succeeded in en-
tering into convention with Great
Britain whereby after the LIST of Octo-
Der this year. a twO-cent postage rate
will obtain between this country and
England. Ireland. Scotland and Wales.
We already have such an arrangement
with Canada. Mexico. Cuba. Panama
and our colonial possessions. This great
accomplishment is universally recog-
nized as the proper beginning which il
to result In a universal twO-cent postage
rate around the world.
Important Things Aeconpllshed.
Two other important things that the
Republican administration accomplish
ed at the Rome Universal Postal Con-
gress through its representatives. must
not be lost sight Of, One was the adop-
ton of q universal return coupon
stamp. in exchange for which, upon its
presentation at a p0sto6lce in another
country, the person presenting 1t shall
receive a postage stamp Of the value Of
5 cents. good In any country Of the
world. thus enabling people here to
prepay postage at regular rates upon
reply letters.
The other significant concession was
that in all World Postal Congresses to
be held in the future. the United States
Is to be granted an additional vote, In
view OF fits island possessions 80 that
at AL future congresses our country
will be entitled to two votes, - against
one vote each cast by every other na-
ton In the world.
Practical Deae1ts t. the People.
No doubt the Democrats may inquire
rs to what all this has to do with the
welfare Of American citizens. For
their enlightenment and Information It
may be stated that, according 70 The
United States census Of 1899. the fer
eign born population in the United
States at that time Was 10sA00O0k The
Qop9latiQa. beg3 e 6ersi0 narentase