The Marshall republican., 1909-05-21
Made Possible BY Recent Robust,
Constructive Republican
Policy.
Convention Between America and
England in Effect Oct. Its
Blessings to ForeiJn
Born Citizens.
ORDER NO. 1907.

1t is hereby ordered, That, commenc-
ing OF the 1st day OF October. 1908,
the postage rate applicable to letters
mailed in United States, addressed for
delivery at any place In the United
Kingdom Of Great Britain and Ireland,
shall be two (2) cents an ounce or frac-
ton of an ounce.
Letters unpaid or short paid shall be
dispatched to destination, but double
the deficient postage, calculated at said
rate, shall be collectible Of the adj
dressees upon the delivery of the un-
paid or short paid letters.
G, V. l.. MEYER,
Postmaster General.
Behind this simple statement Is q
vast amount of Republican construc-
tive legislation which resulted In the
significant accomplishment, set forth
by the Postmaster General. 1t Is elc
Quently prophetic of a worldwide pen.
ny postage, for which the credit will be
due to a Republican administration.
Sixth Universal Postal Congress.
The Sixth Universal Postal Congress
convened In the city Of Rome, Italy.
April 7 and continued until May 20.
1905. Sixty-ive countries, including the
United States, were represented. The.
assembly was for the purpose of dis
cusslng the postal systems OF all nations
and, II possible, agreeing upon measures
for the improvement in all practical
ways, Of the regulations governing In
Ao.. lA, A-a,, A.
malls. The first congress Of this kind
met in Berne, Switzerland, In 1874.
The United States Postofice 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. Edwa ':osewater of the
Omaha Bee, who h so served in the
preceding postal congress.
Move for Universal Penny Postage.
At this Universal Postal Congress
representatives OF the United States
proposed a universal two-cent postage
to all nations. The Hon. j. Henniker
Heaton, VI. 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 a universal
two-cent postal rate, said:
The British members stood coldly
by. They did not recognize that this
was a great historic occasion, Il worthy
parallel OF that solemn scene on July
4, 1916, when the Declaration of indie
pcndcnce was adopted; for II the
Americans are willing to adopt II penny
postage TO all parts of the world, Ii fol-
lows that they are willing TO establish
1t to the British Empire and form with
W. a Restrictive Postal Union"
The Hon. Whitelaw Reid. Americas
Republican minister to the court of st.
James, p!aiscd the work Of the Ameri-
can delegation and solicited the friendly
cooperation OF the British government
at a Fourth OF July banquet speech In
London IA 1906. Mr.. Reid said:
The american people hoped for
: closer ard cheaper communications
: with all other nations as the best means
: of promoting better acquaintance and
perpetuating friendship. They were
gratifed to find that the British apostle
OF penny postage (Mr. HeatonJ at this
moment focusing his efforts on what
ought 20 be the easy task OF persuad-
Ing the authorities on both sides OF the
Atlantic, that 1t was as cheap to carry
l a letter from London to New York as
: from London to Calcutta or from New
4 York to Manila-and quite as useful"
AHsrIenn Republicans Lead the Way
So 1t has come to pass that the Unit
ed states. under Its Republican admin
. terIng into a convention with Great
: Britain whereby after the LIST OF Octo-
be; 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
e and our colonial possessions. This great
accomplishment is universally recog-
S hiGed as the proper beginning which Is
r TO result IN a universal two-cent postage
II rate around the world.
Important Things Aeoomplish'a
Two other important things that the
e Republican administration accomplish
II ed at the Rome Universal Postal Con-
It gress through Its representatives, must
o not be lost sight OF. One was the adop-
tion Of a universal return coupon
q stamp. In exchange for which, upon tn
= presentation at a postofice In another
!. country, the person presenting 1t shall
! receive a postage stamp OF the value Of
8 cents, good In any country OF the
: world. thus enabling people here Ia
= prepay postage at regular rates upor
y reply letters.
d The other significant concession wal
It that in ali World Postal Congresses ID
ve be held in the future. Che United States
Is 20 be granted az additional yots. "