Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-10-16

~~-SN-S
dress recently delivered by Daniel C.
Roper, lately First Assistant Postmas-
ter at Alexandria Bay, N Y. the mean
ing and intent of Postal Service was
admirably set forth in the following
terms 'The wise founders of our
Government realized that the progress
and security of society depends upon
the preparation of it's members for
patriotic and intelligent Incorporation
from tbs humbliest to the highest citi-
zen. 1t is, therefore, not insignificant
that the trainers of the constitution for
a government established by and in
the interest of the people should place
in its first declaration of principles a
special postal provision in order that
the postal service should be made a
democratic facility. Today, as never
before, the postal service is recognized
as a fundamental educational neces-
sity the promoter of mutual acquaint-
ance, of peace and good will among
men and nations, and the enlarger of
the common life"
1t may not be generally known that
fully 80 per cent of all civil service
employees of the Government are, in
cpe way or another, connected with
the postal service. Some idea may,
therefore, be formed of the tremendous
influence this army of employees can
exert in carrying out the benevolent
purpose of the fathers of the constitu-
ton and the interest they should feel
III tho great establishment of which
they are the factors and promoters.
Personal Interest of Employees.
Every individual whose name is en-
rolled among this mass of public serv-
ants has direct and personal interest
i'll all that pertains to the welfare of
the postal service. 1t is for all of them
a common trust from the man selected
to be its head to the man in it's humbl.
est sphere. The difference is only in
degree of duty. The service of all alike
is equally honorable and necessary.
The man or woman who discharges
with fidelity and an eye single to
faithful service the simple duties of
the smallest post Office in the country,
may expect to receive, and should re-
ceive, the same need of public APP
prevail as the Postmaster General him
self, for public service is patriotism
and is not to be measured by dollars
and cents, by what pay is received or
what station is filled. 1t is dishonor-
ing to even the smallest trust to think
or act otherwise
To quote again from Mr.. Roper s
address: "The genius of the American
government is the soul of the postal
service, which is a common coopera-
tive endeavor of the people. 1t has its
origin not in an act of Congress, nor
in the private bill of a state legisla-
ture, but in the Constitution of the
United States It's ideal is not div;-
bends, but the preservation of the
Union and the advancement of civilza-
ton by the maintenance of means Of
communication; its policy is to oper-
ate its service not for profit, but for
the convenience of the public, and its
purpose is in every way democratic,
purely and entirely unselfsh.
Standard the Service Requires.
With such high and splendid aims,
corresponding conduct is required that
the fullest measure of success may be-
assured. The Postmaster General has
set an example of public virtue by de-
voting his time and attention wholly
to his official duties. He has required
no more from his subordinates than
he is willing to do himself. He has,
therefore, been given loyal support,
and the extent of public benefit with
which his administration is identified
has been secured by the cheerful CO.
operation of all his subordinate aids,
whether in the post Office of the coun-
try or on the thousands of highways
travelled by train, by carriers in the
cities and towns, or in the rural COM
munities of tho nation. The progress
siye steps of the Post Office Depart
been heralded by the proclamation, but
ment toward public reforms have not
it is right and proper that the people
should know them, not to award
credit for what is only public duty
but that those who faithfully labor for
tire general welfare and see the work
OF their hands prosper, shall at least
have the approving consent for duty
well performed, which is every mans
| Gua and of which intended iniustic5