The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-08-28
TWO SOUTHERNERS
ARE POSTMAS1ERS
eSrIeson ans Joseph Habersham Only
pisieitss Since FrankIin's Time,
TO Hold the
Place.
EAST FURNISHES EtosT
Some Presidents Had Several Post
masters General in Their CAoi-
nets During Their
administration.

Administration.
Tne recent meeting Of the National
Association of Postmasters in the
capital city of the nation, the many
interesting papers that were read and
the general interest shown in the
work, calls attention anew 70 the re-
naarkabie activity displayed in every
branch OF the postal service since the
beginning of Postmasie. General
Burleson's administration. The press
of the country has taken notice OF
this great Development, which is not
only compliment 10 the present
head of the department, but would
seem 10 show that the south can fur
nigh quite as capable and energetic
business men as the east, from which
section nearly one-haf Of al our post
masters general have been drawn
1t is noteworthy fact, however II
may be explained, that. excluding the
border states. the south, properly
spea king, has had but tso men in
that Office since the days OF Benja-
min Franklin-Joseph HaDersham OF
Georgia and Albert Sidney Burleson
OF Texas. The more populous states
of the east, with their political power
and material advantages have had
the greatest number of such appoint
ments, twenty-three of forty-eight
men who have held that Office having
come from that section. The border
states have had fifteen and the west
only eight. II was not until 1856 that
the west was at all recognized IN the
appointment of such cabinet onicef,
= IL.
consin was chosen by President john
son. subsequently that state fur
nished three more postmasters gen
efal, viz, Howe, Villas and Payne In
1923 the postmaster general became a
member OF the cabinet by the action
of President Jackson, his first ap
pointee to that position, HcB- William
T. Barry Of Kentucky, receiving that
honor
Pennsyivsnia and New York Lead.
In considering the states OF the
union which have been mott fortunate
in appointments to this Office, il il
found that Pennsylvania and New
York have each had SIX TO their
credit, Connecticut, Kentucky, Ten
nessee and Wisconsin, four each;
Massachusetts,, Maryland and Ohio.
three each, and the remainder scat
tered among the eighteen states from
which all the postmasters general
have been selected
The term of service was. It seems.
much longer in the olden days than
at present From I775 to 1880
seventy-five years-shere were only
seventeen men in that position,
Gideon Granger of Connecticut, hay-
ing served thirteen years and eight
months, and Return J. Meigs of Ohio.
nine years and three months. From
1850 to S13-sirty-three years-there
have been thirty-one men in that Of
flee. Whether the shifting currents
OF political life and expectancy, or
other causes, have operated to make
changes in this office, il appears that
many occurred in the administrations
OF some OF our chief executives.
Roosevelt, for instance. had four post
masters general; Grant, Arthur and
Cleveland Tin the latter's two terms)
also had four each; Washington and
Buchanan, three; Jackson, Fillmore,
Lincoln, Hayes and Mckinley, two
each The remainder of the presi-
dents evidently held on to the men
they had originally appointed.
The postmaster general being by
the nature OF his official duties
brought into close contact with the
people, It might be OF interest to
know something of these men, who
they were, and what notable achieve
ments are connected with their
names; but all that is last history
and does not concern the Issues OF
today. A few of the more important
measures may, however, here be men
toned.
During the administration Of Presi
dent Tyler, while Hon. Charles a.
Wickliffe of Kentucky, was post
master general, many reforms were
instituted, such as cheapening the
postage, improving the manner oi
letting routes by contact, prohibiting
private expresses, and restricting the
ranking privilege. The foreign
desk" from which ultimately grew
the admirable arrangement OF the
Postal Union, was Instituted By Hon
Horatio King OF Maine. Through the
efforts OF Judge Hall Of New York
postmaster general under President
Fillmore, the postage on letters was
reduced to cents. The registration
system came in under Postmaster
General Campbell of Pennsylvania
during the administration Of Presi
dent Pierce. The free delivery ger
vice was inaugurated in 1888 by Hon
Montgomery Blair of Maryland, also
the money order system IN 1854, In
Lineoln's administration. The Rail
way Mail Service dates from July
1862, when Judge Holt of Kentucky
ordered it's establishment, the frs
railway postofice being from Quincy
H.. TO Saint Joseph, Mo, on the Han
uibal and st. Joseph railway.
Historical Data Of Beginning and
Progress
Touching the introduction or begir
ming of the chief features of posta
progress other than that already pi,