The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-01-02

III MIN Nj6slslD IN 81 J.NskVDNs
desire to be able to send or receive
through the mails at nominal rate
such parcels as they now are COM
PEELED to send by express at an ex-
0rbitant fee. The merchants do not
love the express companies. nor do the
common people adore the mail order
magnates. But this peculiar situation
makes strange bedfellows.
There Is one recommendation in the
postmaster generals report which all
Of US, particularly In the cities, will
approve. Mr.. Meyer suggests that slot
machines be installed at points Of pub
lie access for the automatic selling Of
stamps and postal cards. Anybody
can appreciate the advantage Of stamp
slots who has wanted postage stamp
and wanted it badly, but, being miles
from the postofice, has been compelled
to brave the scornful drug clerk lion
in his den and timidly request that he
sell a two cent stamp at the govern
ment price.
Postmaster General Meyer, whose
recommendations have set people to
thinking and talking, is a unique fig
ure in the cabinet. He was born on
Beacon Hill, Boston, in 1853, with a
whole set Of golden spoons in his
mouth. Ever since then he has been
adding to his family plate-in other
words, getting richer. he is one Of the
wealthiest men who ever sat at the
cabinet table, though great wealth is
not new to the presidents department
tai advisory group. There was Wana-
maker, President Harrison's postmas-
ter general, and there was Whitney,
President Cleveland's first secretary Of
the navy, to name two multimillion-
a1re cabinet officers.
Excellent Presiding Officer.
Mr.. Meyer was graduated from Har-
ward in 1879, just year before Theo-
dore Roosevelt received his diploma
from the same institution. Mr. Meyer
went into business. With his family
backing and prestige, not forgetting
the accompanying cash, his way was
easy: As merchant and as managing
director in dozen big concerns Mr..
Meyer pursued flowery path. He
married charming woman, Miss
Alice Appleton, was a brilliant figure
in Boston society and might easily
have become Newport Requisite"
giving monkey dinners and cutting
other monkey shines, but he didn't.
he was different. Early in his twen-
ties he got himself elected a Boston
alderman. Then he was called higher
and became a member Of the Massa-
chusetts legislature for several terms
In 1894 the young legislator was elect
ed speaker Of the house. He made an
excellent record as presiding officer.
It is said Of him that he expedited
business with unusual ability and tact.
After his long service in city and
state legislative bodies Mr.. Meyer was
selected by President Mckinley in
1900 to go to Italy as ambassador. His
wealth and his wide experience in So
cial functions among the upper ten
rendered him uncommonly fit to hold
his own and maintain Uncle Sans
dignity in the company of kings and
other high brows in the modern city
Of the Caesars.
President Roosevelt thought SO we'll
Of Ambassador Meyer that he adj
vanced the Bostonian to the St. Pc
tersburg embassy, where Mr.. Meyer
represented this government at a Pc
Rod when the car and his ministers
required to be handled with the silk
lest Of silk gloves lest the Russian
autocracy take offense at the Ameri-
can democracy. Ambassador Meyer
was suave and sufficient in the midst
Of many alarms in the turbulent en-
pire, while Mrs. Meyer and the Misses
Meyer assisted in unfolding the social
dignity Of Uncle Sam at st. Peters,
burg.
Charming and Popular.
When the president made several
changes in his cabinet last March he
called Ambassador Meyer to assume
the portfolio Of postmaster general.
The Meyers, it was said by the social
exquisites at Washington, would make
most welcome additions to the society
of the national capital. Their wide
experience not only in Boston's Back
Bay district, but in the circles where
kings, queens and princelings move,
would lend "distinction" to the cab
met circle, all Of which has turned
out to be true. The Meyer ladies are
charming and popular. European court
experience is by no means to be sneez-
ed at in our democratic Washington,
for the families of foreign diplomats