New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-10-17
BOSTON'S NEW POST-OFFJCE
LAYING THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF Port
MAsTER-GENERAL Observation-Disclosures
CEREMONIES,

MAsTER-GENERAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
CEREMONIES.
BosToN, Oct. 16.-The Cornerstone NJ the
new sub-Treasury and POst-Ofhce building WA laid
to-day with elaborate ceremony, In tho presenca of
most distinguished gathering including the President
and President OF the United sae the Secretary Of
War; the Secretary Of the Navy. the
prominent Senators and congressman the Governor of
the State, city dignitaries, and q vast con-
course Of citizens OF the city and State. The
day has been o holiday, and the city has been
crowded with strangers. The celebration opened with
large procession In which the President and other dgnE
taries were most oonspicous 1t led by three COM
panies Of cavalry and included several posts OF the
Grand Army and members OF the Masonic fraternity.
The pageant through the principal streets PreSi
dent Grant tho recipient OF many attentions ana
was frequently quite enthusiastically cheered
The ceremonies directly attending the laying OF the
stone long but interesting On the arrival OF the
procession the distinguished visitors escorted to
high platform which built In front Of tho building
at the corner where the stone 10 be laid The sur
rounding streets occupied by the military the Or
ganzaons which had formed tho procession, and vast
crowd Of spectators The ceremonies opened with
music by Gilmores band, followed by prayer by the
Rev. Dr. Lathrop OF the old Brattlesquare Church. one
the few remaining relics OF old Boston, coon to be re-
moved
Postmaster General Creswen. the orator Of the day
was then introduced.
ADDRESS OF TIE POsTMASTER-GENERAL.
FELLOW CITIZENS: Nothing clearly illustrates
the growing power and intelligence Of tho people than
the development Of the Post-Ollce establishment The
extent and completeness Of the system In every ago
have been commensurate with the wants and influence
of the masses; indeed, may say there never was q
postOfce worthy OF the name, until the people became
potential in government
In the book OF Esther we read that King Ahasucrus
ttora inf Ma maj
command "that every should bear rule in his own
house. !" and that afterward. when Hannah, the Grand
Cycops Of the KuKlux Of that day, had determined upon
the death OF all the Jews because MOrdecai would not
bow down to him. the royal edct was forwarded
to every point In the kingdom from India even
unto Ethiopia by posts which were fastened by special
order 1t stated that the subsequent decree grant
ing the the right to defend themselves and the let
tiers OF M0rdrcai concerning sent by posts on
horseback and riders mules, oamcls, and young
dromedarrs" 1t plain however from the account OF
the sacred writer. that King Ahasuerus was despo re-
gardess alike Of the rights OF women and men, and tDot
he established his posts solely for the purposes OF his
imperial government with intention OF acc0mino-
dating the private cOrreSpon of his subjects Public
posts used by the Greeks Romans nor indeed
by modern nations until established in the Thirteentn
Century Ivy that federation OF republics known as me
Hansc-iovns, the frat nursery Of enlightened public
the ,rowtn Of the English Post Office has been slow
First 'rrInjz Il ~ publ institution under JlnS L. IL
fought every step OF s against royal preroga
tive, bearing often the most Oppressive DGGens III c
shape 0l pensions to fav0rites and ni7ressea A. th9
rights aud wants OF the people have been more clearly
recognized, concessions nave been reluctantly hado'
until IN 1879 Rowland mn umnonng to his ait inc nIr,
sslblr power Of the COmIAons, achieved reform which
ranks HIN among the hcG"fdctorS Of his race.
In tEiI country the relations Of the people with the
Post Once ire more intimate than with any clncr branch
personally in contact "iih s officers, and claim all
immediate int, rest In is OPERATIONS
THE UNITED STATES rOST-orIIcE.
HAVING conceded, when first iatruSted with tho admin
Stii,tioE II the PosOhlcr Department that the people
should be satisfied with nothing less than the beat and
cheapest service the present 1T opportunity to
make Known what has been accomplished during the
last three years letters transported and
delivered during the year ended June 80 last eHceeds
G4o0"H and It is estimated t9Gt tne newSpapSr anu
in both weight and bulk than the letcr-mails There
were in the postal service. the end Of the last Ga
year 1884 persons. scattered every part OF the
national domain from sitka Key West and from San
OF sG.oi5 po't-ofccs In operation, 2O76 were money
order Offices l72 were filed ny appointment OF the Pres
id nj and $3.50 by appointment Of tie PUStInastrUcn-
erll. After making All elaborate summary OF Inc Work
n au Tn rr. e m So frr ddn from TIE
p ndtr's Of each year the annual appropriations for
Tree raIttcr and special steamship Subsidies, air;
For lsis....... O,.C!yIl 90
For 1869. SgIo28. 70
E E"r III AVS a5S e.
T~ rIpropriaon ior tho dciicIcncy of the last year
was e. Cos O32 which $l65OOOO unexpendcd For
the List three year, there appropriated s49'754s.
OF wi,n only $'25250J we're exrldI i iIs eaatnG 9n
the as year SJ0jUjl, aul from the dodcienccs voted
for the last three years &c 725,O52
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
The question Of the appropriation OF the Electric Tne
ph and dedication to public use has been debnvey
settled by the OF foreign nations 1t Is
now simply problem of finance, and TO whom can that
be better submitted than to Massachusetts, She
sneak authoritavey her trusted representatives
who now guard the public treasury with ever wachfui
eyes, She can point with eXulting pride 10 the first
orcnnizcr and intelligent chief OF the POst-Offce IN
AIIcrira Of whom was Faithfully written that noble line
modern Lstinity, ETIput c9io yuImeh' sceprhnqhe
fyr0uEiy and demand that tho mysterious agent which
she in the person OF her su0dued and pcked from
tie heavens shall become hcncefOrth public servant
and guided by the scepcr III the hands OF the people
Dr. n b. shurtlef ex-MayOr OF the city, and one OF
the best informed modern Bostonans, followed with
rhetorical sketch, In which he alluded to the site and
its history interesting sketch OF the postal
arrangements in days long ago
The Masonic ceremonies were III the usual form, EN-
bracng the deposng OF the box in the cornerstone by
the Grand Treasurer spreading q the cement by the
Grand Master conservation ceremonies with corn, Wne
OIL &C. President Grant assisted the Grand Master III
spreaduQ the cement Graud Master Gardner also made
address, alluing TO the par the Msso' LOOK IN nv
of a hynn written by william I. Adams, and the bene-
dictOn closed the ceremonies. Loud calls were made
for President Grant, who came forward ana bowed
Vice COlfax being called for, made br!ct
cOngratuatOry speech =, ~ <.
hiring The afternoon Mrs Grant. Miss Nellie Grant,
Nnyy-Yard by invitation Of the Commodore The Pres
dent gave reception at the 81 James hote Al b. ILL.,
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