Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-01-14

| Washington, January u The first
order for the establishment of rural
delivery service under the United States
Post Office Department was brought
out of the files and busted off few
days ago. preparatory to being taken
to California for the Panama EXPOSE
ton this year. The old order has pecul-
lar significance for West virginians be-
cause it was issued by William L: Viii
son. West Virginian, then Postmaster
General, and also because it provided
for the establishment in West Virginia
of the frat experimental rural delivery
system: The order was dated on Sep
TENDER 80, 1896. and directed the begin
ming on the following day. Oct: l, 1896,
of an experimental service for the de-
livery of mail in rural districts: The
order provided that the service be es-
tablished in Jefferson Co. w. Va, a
typical rural county, which was also
the home of Postmaster General Wilson
The service was to start with four car
rlers at 5000 year each. Three of
whom were to carry mail out of Charles
Town and one out of Uvilla. These were
the first post Offices in the United
States to have rural delivery, which is
now common all over the country, To-
day there are 43. 600 carriers on rural
delivery routes. and the salary is ST. 200
a year for most of them. To the sec
ond district of West Virginia may be
given the honor of having produced and
sent to Congress the man who. after
ward as postmaster general, became
the father of the great rural mail de-
livery system.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
has fixed January 20 in Washington for
the hearing in connection with the in
yestigation as to the ownership of the
Little Kanawha Railroad Senator chill
tons resolution, which was adopted by
the Senate provided for an investiga-
ton as to the ownership of this road
and report as to whether it is being
held to prevent the development of the
coal lands beyond the terminus of the
road. A large number of witnesses
have been summoned by the Interstate
Commerce Commission, which appar-
emily intends to make full investiga
tion of the case. Senator Chiffon has
been asked to suggest other witnesses
and the full story of the. ownership of
the road and how it is held and opera
ted is expected to be told.
The West Virginia Democracy is pc
culiarly fortunate in not being mixed up
in such patronage dispute as exists
in some other States. The President,
in making his selections for appoint
ment to various federal offices, has Of
Tended several Senators, who are of the
opinion that they should have been cen
suited. Because nominations have been
made which were not entirely satisfac
tory to them, they have managed to
4 reject the nominations or have them
held up in the Senate. SO that the APP
pointee of the President can not fill
the position Some of these persons
have been given recess nominations and
will hold over till the end of the pres
ent session of Congress, while they may
then he given new recess appointments
and in that way continue to serve
| Others cannot be given recess appoint
ments because the Constitution only
provides for recess appointment in
cases where the vacancy occurs when
Congress is not in session. Fortunate
] ly, West Virginia is not included among
the States in which this situation pre-
walls Senator Chiffon has been con-
suited in every case. not pertaining
solely to the first or second district, in
which cases Congressman Nicely and
Brown respectively have been permit
| ted to dictate the patronage for the
President. The feeling between the
President and the Democratic members
of the West Virginia delegation in each
house of Congress is most cordial and
no difficulty may be expected, either in
| the way of the President not nomina-
ting the parties recommended to him
or the failure of the Senate to confirm
any of the West Virginia nominations
sent to it by the President. Senator
Clifton, Congressman Nicely and Con-
| gresham Brown have all made recon-
mendations recently and all of them
have been promptly concurred in by
the President and their nominations
have been confirmed by the Senate.
| Greatly improved in health and ap.
parently in perfect physical condition,
Congressman Brown has returned from
Florida and Cuba. where he and Mrs.
Brown spent several weeks for the ben
eft of his health. Mr.. Brown has come
back prepared to remain here for the
rest of the present session of Congress
Mr.. Brown will be quite busy as q
member of the banking and currency
committee. which has several matters
under consideration, and with the many
matters which claim the attention of q
Congressman who tries to comply with
the wishes of his constituents.
i Short Course In Agriculture.