Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-08-25
The Postmasters General.

anew 10 the remarkable activity displayed
in every branch of the postal service since
the beginning of Postmaster General Bur-
leson's administration. The press Of the
country has taken notice of this great de-
velopment. which is not only compliment
to the present head of the Department,
but would seem to show that the South
can furnish quite as capable and energetic
business men as the East. from which sec
ton nearly one-half of all our Postmasters
General have been drawn.
II is note worthy fact, however it may
be explained, that. excluding the border
States, the South. properly speaking, has
had but two men in that Office since the
days of Benjamin Franklin Joseph Hab-
ersham, of Georgia. and Albert Sidney Bur
Lesson, of Texas. The more populous States
of the East, with their political power and
material advantages. have had the greatest
number of such appointments. 23 of the
48 men who have held that Office having
come from that section. The border States
have had is and the West only 8. 1t was
not until 1856 that the West was at all
recognized in the appointment of such
cabinet officer, when Alexander W. Ran
dali, of Wisconsin, was chosen by Pres-
dent johnson. Subsequently that State
furnished three more Postmasters General.
viz. Howe, Villas and Payne. In 1929 the
Postmaster General became a member of
the Cabinet by the action of President
Jackson his first appointee to that posi-
ton. Hon. William T. Barry, of Kentucky.
receiving that honor.
In considering the States of the Union
which have been most fortunate in ap-
pointments to this Office, it is found that
Pennsylvania and New York have each
had 6 to its credit Connecticut. Ken
lucky. Tennessee and Wisconsin. 4 each
Massachusetts. Maryland and Ohio. each.
and the remainder scattered among the
IS 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 l775 to 1850-75 years-there were
only II men in that position. Gideon Gran
ger, of Connecticut. having served IS years.
8 months, and Return J. Meigs, of Ohio. 8 |
years, months. From 1850 to 1913-63
years-there have been 81 men in that
office. Whether the shifting currents of
political life and expediency, or other
causes, have operated to make changes in
this Office. 1t appears that many occurred
in the administrations of some of our chief
executives. Roosevelt, for instance. had
Postmasters General: Grant, Arthur and
Cleveland Gin the latters 2 terms) also
had each; Washington and Buchanan,
3; Jackson, Fillmore. Lincoln. Hays and
Mckinley 2 each. The remainder Of the
Presidents 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 past history and does not
concern the issues of today A few of the
more important measures may, however.
here be mentioned.
During the administration of President
Tyler. while Hon. Charles A. Wickliffe. of
Kentucky. was Postmaster General. many
reforms were instituted. such as cheapening
tho roota do imnrnuind tho mannar of lar
ting routes by contract, prohibiting private
expresses. and restricting the ranking
privilege. The foreign desk,' from which |
ultimately grew the admirable arrange
ment of the Postal Union was instituted
by Hon. Horatio King. Of Maine. Through
the efforts Of Judge Hall. of New York. Post
master General under President Fillmore, the
postage on letters was reduced to cents. |
Postmaster General Campbell. of Penn
sylvania. during the administration OF
President Pierce. The free delivery ser
vice was inaugurated in 1853 by Hon.
Montgomery Blair, of Maryland. also the
money order system in 1854. in Lincoln's
administration. The railway mail service |
dates from July. 1862. when Judge Holt, |
of Kentucky. ordered its establishment,
the first railway postofiice being from
Quincy. ILL.,. to Saint Joseph. Mo-. on the |
Hannibal & ST. Joseph Railway.
Some interesting historical data touch
ing the introduction or beginning OF the |
chief features Of postal progress other than
that already given may be briefly summa- |
rized as follows:
Postage stamps first issued. at New
York, July. 1847.
Stamped envelopes first issued June,
1853.
Letters registered July. 1885.
Newspaper Wrappers, Act of Congress.
February. 1881.
Free city delivery. July. 1853.
Money order system, November, 1864.
International money orders. Oct. 1867.
Postal cards. May. 1873.
Postage reduced 10 2 cents. Oct. 1888.
Special delivery, October, 1885.
Rural delivery. October, 1896.
Postal savings. January. 1911.
Parcel post. January, 1913.
The number Of postofiices in 1889 was
rs. The maximum number reached 49,
945. in 1901. since which time. by the
introduction Of rural delivery. the number
has steadily declined. 20,585 having been
discontinued. July l. 1915. there we're
5000 postoffices in operation.
Extent of post routes in miles in 1890
was 1875. In 1915 the number was 1872
1859. The miles Of service performed in
1915 amounted to 6i7 .527.795.
The entire compensation paid to post
masters in 1889 was $l856. In 1915 the
amount so paid was $29.143, 1877.