The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-07-19
PRETTY ROMANCE
OF RURAL ROUTE
From a Meager and Much
Fought Beginning 1t Is
Now Great System.
SPEECH LAYS CORNERSTONE
IT WAS HE WHO REALIZED MORE
THAN ALL OTHERS THE GREAT
GOOD 1T WOULD DO FOR THE
COUNTRY.

Hastings, Neb., July 1S.-From a
mere local experiment, which was sus-
piciously regarded at first as relib-
crate and high handed piece of pollti-
cal chicancery, the rural free delivery
service has grown in twelve years to
a point of almost beyond comprehan
sion. This development. or rather ev-
clution, of the United States mail SER
vice had its inception in forlCrn
hope. Rural delivery of mails is now
the most important. extensive and far
reaching of the postoffice depart
ment's activity,
Twelve years ago free delivery OF
mails was confined within the corpor-
ate limits of cities and towns. Rural
delivery has extended Uncle Sans
usefulness over upward Of 10000
routes, constituting a network in rural
communities from ocean to ocean and
giving more than 100000 families
practically the same mail facilities en-
joyed by residents of metropolitan
cities. The distance traversed by rur-
al carriers each is about equal to forty
times the circumference of the globe.
The average fast train, running night
and day, would require more than a
years time to traverse the distance,
and If man should undertake to in
spect each route. going over one each
day, including holidays, but resting on
Sundays, he would be over 125 years
on the job.
The corner stone of this gigantic
service was laid by Emanuel Speich,
who, with Mrs. Speich, is here visit
Ing his daughter. Mrs. R. l.. Sabin. 1t
has been his privilege to watch the
structure grow from his handiwork
to an enterprise for which the last
annual appropriation was a fraction
over $27.000.000, or about $2,000.00O
more than the appropriation for all
city delivery. Charles Campbell OF
this city, brakeman on the Burning.
ton. was one of the carriers chosen
for the first set of routes.
First Appropriation.
The first appropriation for rural de-
livery was made early in 1893 and
was $4,000. Nobody in the pustoffice
department seemed to know just wha,
1t was for or how to proceed to spend
it, ~" money remained untouched
after part Of the following
'peich was then auditor OF
;ne livery service. Late in the
summer of 1896 Postmaster General
Wilson talked to Mr. SPEECH relative
to the appropriation, vouchoafing the
idea that 1t would be shazardous to UNI
dertake free delivery Of mails in rural
communities. To provide anything
like complete delivery in rural sec
lions. Postmaster General Wilson de
clared. would bankrupt rhe govern
ment
II knew that in Switzerland, my "a
tive country" said Mr.. Speich, in
speaking OF the incident. mails We're
delivered over the crags and noun
tain tops of the Alps and that the ser
vice was successful. I could see nc
reason why rural free delivery should
not be successful in this country.
volunteered to establish one or more
routes out of Tecumseh, johnson coun
~, my home town, as an experime nj
and Mr.. Wilson agreed to the plan.
Il went to Tecumseh early in Octo
Der. intending to lay out three routes
While / was on my way from Wash
ington the plan was reported in the
Nebraska newspapers, and when I ar
rived at Tecumseh I found the demo
Gratis OF the town very indignant
They thought my mission was one O,
politics.
The republicans, who also though,
the plan was one formulated in the
interest of Mckinley, then candi
date for president, were enthusiastic