Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-01

figures Highly Creditable to hi. A MINI
istratton. ~ S Ao"in-
Last evening at the close of Office hours the
transfer OF the Augusta Post Office from Mr..
Maniey to the new postmaster. Mr.. Fowler
LOOK place. The different departments. COM
mehcing with the Money Order Office and
ending with the stamp office, were transferred
ana the usual receipts passed as fast as the
departments closed the DAYS business. The
~ofk was accomplished rapidly and BY nine
O'Clock Mr.. Fowler was fully in possession.
AS soon as the transfer was made the clerks
employed at the office were invited to Mr..
Manley's residence where a couple of hour.
Vi SOCIAL interceasse were pleasantly passed,
curing which handsome present from the
employees was given Mr.. Manley in token of
the good will and esteem in which he ia held
by them, and as a slight appreciation of the
Kindness he has invariably shown them dur
ing his administration. The evening passed
pleasantly, all enjoying themselves thorough
ly. In bidding the employees goodbye as
their official head Mr.. Manley took occasion
TO say:
You will not think 1t amiss if refer briefly
to the work of the post-office, and if il NAV
seem to be little Standardization. remem-
per that we WHO are taking off the harness
nave the right to boast If we have faithfully
performed the duties intrusted to US During
my administration of the office OF postmaster
We have handled 70 ,278 $50 pieces of mail
matter md n ia. a -
be justly proud that in the handling of this
vast number OF pieces there occurred lust
o,ot2 errors. One error in every 1880
pieces handled. The total postal and money
order business of the office amounts TO over
S2,3Oo 900, every dollar and every cent of
"hlch has been properly accounted for Not
iost letter has ever been traced to this
once. No recommendation was ever made
by me to the Department which was not an
proved, and at all times this office has had
the endorsement of the Department AT
Washington. The record OF the office
Is one that should forever put to
silence any untavorabe criticism of
1t. Its record, do not hesitate say, is not
surpassed In the mail service of the United
States.
During my administration of the office.
the letter-carrier system has been established,
nANh mas bCSu idFBciN pttrDnlZSu, that
more mail is now delivered by the carriers
than is distributed from the office. The car
rier system is one which our citizens will
never willingly surrender. Seyen-eighths of
the citizens living within what Is termed the
city limits, can have the benefit of SER
vice which brings their mail daily to their
door, In sunshine and storm, committing no
holiday, and respecting only Sunday and
takes whatever they may desire to transmit
through the mails. | feel proud to think
that my name cannot be separated from the
free delivery system of this city. and [ am
more than proud of the faithful way in which
the carriers, whom have had the honor to
recommend for appointment have per-
formed their duties. Another monument is
to be raised; | refer to the new post
office building. The great publishing houses
of Messrs. +. G.. Allen, and Vickery & Hill.
furnished the business which formed the
basis of our clam for this building: and
may be pardoned if | say that in season and
out urged the claim upon the attention of
our deleg uion in Congress, who by their un-
firing efforts secured the passage of the bill,
special credit beng given to Senator Hale
and our able Congressman, Hon. 5. l.. Milf
ken.
am very glad of the opportunity to say
to you all, that during my administration of
the post-oifce. | have made no personal ap-
pointments. Every promotion has been
made because of wel-doing No assess
tnent for political purposes has been made in
the office; voluntary contributions have been
made by such of you as desired to make
them, but there has been no sort of solcita-
ton, pressure, nducement. or hope of re-
ward held out to influence any employe, and
as you who have never contributed dollar,
know 1t IN no way effected your stand.
ing, or prospects of promotion. do not mean
to imply that you have not performed politi-
cal service. Most of you have rendered val
liable service to your party, and have been
ready at all times to do all that you possibly
could to bring to it victory. You have
shown to it the same fidelity in defeat that
you exhibited in its triumph; but whatever
service you have rendered has been volun-
tariy. No man ceases to be a citizen because
he holds an office, or is in the employment of
the government, and that he is deemed COM
petent to fill puplic office should not deprive
him of any of his rights. He should enjoy
absolute liberty to think, and speak, and act
in political matters according to his own will
and conscience, provided only, that he hon
orably, faithfully and fully discharges all his
official duties. You have never transgressed
this rule You have been faithful ,dilgent and
Jealous IN the discharge OF your duties, and
uniformly courteous in your Intercourse with
the public. You NAV have been effective,
but you have not been offensive partisans.
You may look back upon your services
with just pride, and if you carry through
life, the same fidelity to duty, the same ear
nestness of purpose you may be sure of sue
cess. No better guide can be given for the
conduct OF man, whether in public or pri
vste station, than to deal honestly with every
duty, and with all men.