West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-01-14
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Fret Order for the Establishment Of
Rural Delivery Service by the
United States Postoffice Depart
mont TO DO Taken TO the Exposition
Was Issued by William L. Wilson
OF West virsInIs
(From Geo. w. summersJ

the files and busted of "A few DAYS ago.
preparatory to being taken TO Calitorni.
Tor the Panama exposition this year
The old order has peculiar significance
for West Virginians because il was issued
by William j. Wilson, a West virginian.
then Postmaster General; and also be.
cause 1t provided for the establishment
in Wet Virginia Of the first TX Experimental
rural delivery system. The order wa,
dated on September 30, 1896 and directed
the beginning on the following day, Oct
l, 1896, OF an experimental service for
the delivery of mail in rural districts
The order provided thats the service be
established in jefferson county, w. Va :.
a typical rural county, which was also
the home Postmaster General Wilson.
The service was to start with four carrier,
AT $500 year each. Three of them were
To carry mail out of Charles Town and
one out Of Uvills. These were the frs,
postofiices in the United States to have
rural delivery, which is now common all
over the country. Today there are 49,
200 carriers on rural delivery routes, and
the salary is 81 200 year tor most of
them. To the Second district of West
Virginia may be given the honor of bav-
ing produced and sent to Congress the
man who, afterward as postmaster
general, became the father of the great
rural mail delivery system.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
has fixed January 90 in Washington for
the hearing in connection with the in
vestigation as TO the ownership of the
Little Kanawha Railroad. Senator Chill.
toms resolution, which was adopted by
the Senate provided for an investigation
as to the ownership OF this road and y
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 Commer,,
Commission, which apparently intend,
to make full investigation of the case.
Senator Chiffon has been asked to suggest
other witnesses and the full story of TIN,
ownership OF the road and how it is held
and operated is expected to be told.
The West Virginia Democracy il
peculiarly fortunate In not being mixed
up In such patronage dispute as exists
In some other States. The President, in
making his selections for appointment to
various federal offices, has offended
several Senators, who are of the opinion
that that they should have been consult
ed Because nominations have been
made which were not entirely satisfactory
to them, they have managed to reject Tin.
nominations or have them held up i'm th,
senate, so that the appointee of the
President can not fill the position. Som.
oil these persons have been given rec-se
nominations and will hold over till the
end oil the present session of Congress,
while they may then be given new
recess appointments and in that way con-
tnued to serve. Others can not be given
recess appointments because the Consti-
tuition only provides for a recess appoint.
ment in cases where the vacancy occurs
when Congress is not in session. For.
West Virginia is not included
among the States in which this situation
prevails. Senator Chiffon has been con.
suited in every case not pertaining solely
TO the First or Second district, in which
;ases congressman Nicely and Brown
respectively have been permitted to
iictate the patronage for the President.
The feeling between the President and
he Democratic members OF the West Viz
linia delegationin each house of Congress
8 most cordial and no difficulty may be
expected, either in the way of the Presi- |
lent not nominating the parties recon-
nended TO him or the failure of the
senate to confirm any OF the West Virginia
sent to it by the President.
senator Chiffon, Congressman Nicely and
Congressman Brown have sll mad.
recommendations recently and all OF then,
ave been promptly eoncurred in by the |
resident and their nominations have
zen confirmed bS the Senate.
Greatly improved in health and an.
'arently in perfect physical condition,
Congressman Brown has returned from
florida and CUBA, where ne and Mrs
'rown spent several weeks for the benefit
{ his health. Mr.. Brown has come
ack prepared to remain here for the
Est OF the present session OF Congress
ir. Brown will be quite busy az a mem.
err OF the banking aud currency com.
littee, which has several matters under
and with the many mat.
'rs which claim the attention OF Con.
ressman who tries % comply with the
ishes Of bis constituents.
Congressman Brown has recommended
ayes Sapp for postmaster At New burg.
reston county; and T. w. Wamsley for
ostmaster at Parsons, Tucker county.
9TH are presidential appointments. but
'e nomination and confirmation OF
'ose persons recommended by Mr.
rown u practically certain.
Fourth class postmasters appointed up-
the recommendation Of Congressman
rown include Wesley Schoonoyer At
ontrose; John n. Babb at Jenningston ,
bsrles Z. Clear a. Cascade: and q d 8
oiker at Brandonylle.
A pension has been allowed By the
'nsion bureau on a claim filed by Con.
eastman Brown for Missouri Harrington. {
Independence.
Examiner Abbott, Of the Interstate
'mmerce Commission, will conduct a
aring at Norgantown on January p :
the complaint Of the Athens Glass ,
'mpany against the Baltimore and r
no and other railroads, involving the I