That control began shortly after the 1896 start of rural free delivery.
From the time.com
The service, named after the old postal term rural free delivery, broadcast live from the expo for 16 hours.
From the time.com
The largesse includes 33,000 postmasterships and 34,000 rural free delivery jobs, all of which are doled out as political tribute with guidance from members of Congress.
From the time.com
The Republican platform supported high tariffs, bimetallism, stiffer immigration laws, free rural mail delivery, and a canal across Central America.