As the new year of 2012 begins, the U.S. Postal Service is considering a variety of ways to cut costs. One proposal would eliminate next day delivery for first class mail. We Americans have a long history of expecting our mail to be delivered promptly.
Old Post Office Building, Washington, D.C.
On March 3, 1880, the following item appeared in the New York Times.
Notes from Washington City [District of Columbia]: Complaints have been made of the failure of letters posted here in the latter part of the day, to arrive in New-York in time for early delivery the next morning, the matter has been the subject of correspondence between Postmaster James, of New-York, and Postmaster Ainger, of this city, and arrangements have now been made whereby all letters deposited in the Washington Post Office up to 5 P.M. will be dispatched by train leaving at 5:37, and will reach New-York in time for delivery on the first carrier trip throughout the City.
Photo Courtesy Wikipedia Commons
