National Republican., 1874-07-01
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL
FORMAL RETIREMENT OF MR.. CRES-
WELL FROM oFFICLAL LIFE.

WE'LL FROM oFFICL4L LIFE.
MEETING OF THE EMPLOYEES OF THE DE-
PARTMEET-EXPRESSIO OF FEELING BY
THE GENTLEMEN OF THE oFFICE-RE-
MARKS OF Mr.. CREswELL.
The formal leave-talnng of Hon. Johu A. J..
Creswell, ex-Postmaster General, by the en-
ployees Of his late Department, took place yes
terday, at 2 p. m, in the book-keeper's room
of the Post Office Department. The scene was
impressive, and Mr.. Creswen seemed to be
deeply affected by the occasion. Early in the
day the officers Of. the Post Office Department
held meeting for the purpose Of giving ex-
preston to their feelings towards Mr.. Creswell
on his retirement from the position which he
has held so long and honorably.
On motion of Mr.. G. D. Chenowith, Hon.
Thomas A. Spencer was called to the chair, and
on motion of Mr.. E. Griswold, C. Cochran, jr.,
was appointed secretary.
On motion of DR.. G. D. Carrow, a committee
Of six, to consist Of the chief clerk of the De-
partment and the chief clerks Of the several
bureaus, viz Messrs. Watkins, Mari, French,
Ireland, Haynes and Kelly, was appointed to
draft resolutions expressive Of the sense Of the
meeting and, on motion, the name of Gar
row was added to the committee.
The meeting then adjourned until 2 p. m,
when, on assembling, Hon. T. A. Spencer in
the chair, Mr.. Watkins, chairman of the com
mittee, submitted the following resolutions:
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
M,AsHlSGToN, june 80 ls35ii
rendered to the President Of the United States
his resignation Of the office Of Postmaster Gener-
al, and IL has been accepted; and whereas bur
relations with Mr.. Creswell, as officers and en-
pIoyees of the Department for the % Sd 1--WE years
have made us thoroughly acquainted With him,
both as o man and a public officer, We deem it
appreciation Of the manner in which he has con-
Quoted the affairs Of the Department, and the con-
idence and attachment with which he has in
spired US while employed under his authority;
therefore, be It
Resolved, That we sincerely and deeply regrets
that the claims Of Mr.. Creswell's private bust
ness should have assumed such o character as in
his judgment to render his resignation neees-
sRry.
the energy, integrity and ability with which he
has conducted the business Of the Department
has not been excelled by that Of the most dis
tinguished Of his predecessors.
Resolved That we shall ever cherish grateful
recollection of the considerAte and uniform kind
ness displayed In all his relations to US, and that
follow him in his return to the pursuits o! private
life..
The preamble and resolutions were unani-
mously adopted.
Mr.. Nicholson submitted the following, which
was adopted:
RESOLVED, That the preamble and resolutions
adopted by this meeting be elegantly engrOssed
and framed, and presented to Mr. CresWell in
this form, as lasting tribute Of esteem from the
employees Of this Department, and that Q COM
mittee be appointed by the Chair to attend to
this matter.
On motion, Messrs. Marshall, French and
Carrier were appointed committee to wait on
Mr.. Creswel and inform him that the clerks
were assembled, and that they would be happy
to receive him in order that the resolutions
adopted might be communicated to him.
A few moments after the retirement of the
committee they lreturned with Mr.. Cresweu,
who was received with prolonged applause.
The chairman read the resolutions, after which
Mr.. Creswen addressed those assembled and
said, as he contemplated the faces before him
he could not refrain from degree of sorrow,
as he had been associated with them 50 long.
There had been changes, but the last change
had been a voluntary act on his part against
the wishes Of the President and others. He
could not deny that he parted from them with
many deep regrets. During the period of five
years association with those before him every
thing had been most pleasant. Some might
think he had been severe, but there was not
one man who had been connected with the De-
Partment during the period he had treated un-
kindly, and he had always been ready to-con-
tribute to the comfort of those associated with
him. If there was any one aggrieved he had
not treated him with injustice knowingly. For
five years be had gathered about him over
three hundred conscientious workers, and had
always bossted Of their worth. They had per-
formed the duties assigned them laboriously
and conscientiously, as much so as any other
force of like size in the world. He had always
repelled attacks against the employees, aud
demanded proof Of all charges made. As
public employees he challenged their equal for
correctness, and their exhibit was unexcelled.
He parted with them as comrades and per-
sonal friends, who had done their entire duty.
Mr.. Creswell again referred to his withdrawal
from the Department, and repeated that he
had done so at his own desire, and that he
had refuted all charges made against him.
He held no anihosities to any man. His ex-
perience in public affairs taught him to know
that no man could 60 through the charge of
such responsibility as he had gone through
without making some enemies; but in every
case he repelled assault and dfaced the accuser.
He retired from the Depskment without any
regrets of the action Of his enemies, for he had
received from them. what he might have ex-
pected. From his friends he always received
respect, and especially from his employees,
In separating with the employees, he felt as
though he was leaving a command which had
stood firm for FIVE years, and had always been /
true and obedient to all orders issued. In the
future there would be no chief clerk, clerk or
laborer to him, but he would grasp their hands
as those OF friends. He closed by hoping that
they might continue to discharge their duties,
and that kind Heaven might smile on them,
and God forever bless them all.
On the conclusion of Mr.. Creswell's remarks
he was greeted with applause, and he retired
from the meeting.
Messrs. Nicholson, Chenowith and Davis
were appointed a committee to present the
resolutions to Mr.. Creswell, after which the
meeting adjourned.