The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-10-22
FARMERS AND RURAL
FREE DELIVERY
Ma Adntahle Feature Of tho Postal System
h Creation Of tie Republican Party
and to q Great Degree Explains
Why tho Country People Al.
ways Vote Il Back
Ia Power.

The republican principle that the
benefits Of the public service should,
% far as possible, be extended to all
classes and all communities without
discrimination, Is conspicuously ex-
emplified in the rural free delivery
system instituted by the Postofice
Department during the administra-
ton Of President Mckinley. That
system was established in recognition
OF the plain fact that the farmer, liy-
ing remote from the nearest post
ONCE, Is entitled to the free delivery
OF his mail equally with the business
man residing in the city, and the
success which has attended its OPP
eration affords conclusive evidence
OF its wisdom and utility.
The development Of the rural free
delivery service Is one OF the most
remarkable achievements of the Post
ONCE Department. Beginning in
1897 as an experiment with deliver
les on eighty-three routes, It has
been extended rapidly year by year,
the service on June 80, 1908, covering
1920 routes and providing free de-
livery for more than 100000 per-
sons. That is to say. that in the
short space OF eleven years, the free
mail delivery system has been ex-
tended to something like twenty
Per cent. OF the total population of
the United States. Could there be
any more striking testimony to the
emciency and practical business
methods Of Republican administers
ton?
The value of this service to the
farmers is almost incalculable. 1t
hoo mt nn1v ra1favad <bar, 80 4t.a
discomfort OF frequent journeys to
distant postoffices, but has placed
them in close reach with market con-
ditions, thus enabling them to dis
pose OF their products to the best adj
vantage, and done much to promote
the neighborhood and relieve farm
life of the sense of isolation which
has been one of its greatest hardships.
Moreover, In scores of farming COM
munities the rural free delivery SER
vice has given powerful impetus to
the good roads movement" with
the result that many thousands of
miles of improved highway have been
constructed. These modern roads,
a6ording the farmer easier access
to market, have increased the value
OF his land, thus enabling him to
build better buildings, better fences
and purchase better Implements. In
every community to which the rural
free delivery service has been extend
ed the farmer has profited by It. He
Is more distinctly business man
than ever before and life is far more
attractive and less laborious for him
self and his family.
The farmers know that the rural
free delivery service is a creation Of
Republican policy. They are per-
fectly aware that 1t was devised by
and in accordance with the Republic
can craftsmanship which has proyid-
ed cheap postage, encouraged the
spread Of education and enacted
every measure Of existing law to
maintain the dignity anG advance the
interests of agricultural industry.
No single branch of the public service
appeals more strongly to the farmers
of the country in behalf of continued
Republican administration than this
admirable feature of the postal sys-
TEN.