In the early days ofthe
postmasters to giveletters to mail carriers for home delivery,but these carriers received nogovernment salary and their entire compensation depended on what they were paid
by the recipients ofindividual let-ters.In 1847,the United States Post Office Department adopted theidea of a postage stamp, which of course simplified the payment for
postal service butcaused grumbling by those who did not like to prepay.Besides,the stamp coveredonly delivery to the post office and did not include carrying it to a private
address.In
citizens looking fortheir letters was itseff enough to discourage use of the mail.It is no wonderthat,during the years of these cumbersome arrangements,private letter-carrying
and expressbus-mnesses developed.Although their activities were only semi-legal,theythrived and actually adver-tised that between
day speedier thanthe government mail. The government postal service lost volume to privatecompetition and was not able to handle effi-ciently even the business it
had.Finally,in1863,Congress provided that the mail carriers who delivered the mail from the postoffices to private addresses should receive a government salary, and that
there should be noextra charge for that delivery. But this delivery service was at first confinedto cities,and free home delivery became a sing of urbanization.In 1890,of the
75 mul-lion peoplein the
unless they went totheir post office.
A..Mail carriers gotpaid by recipients.
B. Mail carriers gotpaid by government.
C. Most people stillwent to post office to get mails.
D. Only peopleliving in big cities could have the service.