St. Paul daily globe., 1888-01-07
THEY SAID GOODBYE.
Postmaster Day Takes an Official Fare.
well Of Old Employees.
PRESENTED WITH A CLOCK.
IN.
Brief Remarks by Supt. Hardacre and
:, ~ the New Official. WILL
Yel lam Lee.

81
81
iDr. David Day performed the hardest
task, perhaps, of his whole official career
yesterday afternoon, when he took leave
Of the employees of the postoffice, many
of;whom had been with him from his adj
vent as postmaster. 1t was truly an
affecting scene and resembled more the
parting of render father with his lov-
ing chill dren than the prOSaic everyday
translation consequent upon a political
change i'll government affairs. 1t was
exactly O'Clock when the employees of
the postotfice, about 100 in number, filed
into the pOstmaster's office, headed by
Superintendent Hardacre and Negaard.
They formed in circle, COM
pletely filling the little room.
Dr.. Day and Postmaster Lee took their
positions directly opposite the entrance
was quiet Superintendent Hardacre
stepped to the front, and addressing DR..
Day, said: ''Dr. Day, these people you
see around you are employees of the
post office, many of their faces being
not unfamiliar to you. They desire on
your leaving the service of Uncle Sam
to express to you their thanks for the
kindness with which you have treated
them, and also their appreciation OF you
as their chief executive 'Tis true we
have had ups and downs, but we have
got along nicely together. Before say
ing goodbye they desire through me to
PIE 'ent to you, as token of their
este m, this clock, which we consider
as emblematic of the regularity and eX
actneSs of the service performed by you.
NJ Il, hn l,n. IL, ri hinI
indicate midnight. the inscription will
tell You that it IS always Day"
During the delivery of Mr.. HardacreS
little speech DR.. Day stood
WITH HANDS FOLDED
and head bowed down, his face shrouded
with sorrow. At its conclusion the doc
tor in voice filled with emotion said:
''At this moment looking back over our
association as public servants, for
twelve and half years, the idea upper
most III my mind is that on this Occa-
sion it is who should be casting palms
and bringing gifts to you, instead OF
you to me. In the very nature of the
service the postmaster must be to the
force more or less of a Scold. And now
that we have met for an official parting,
it seems to me that have neglected
many an opportunity to commend the
iolIilui WOIA pCl Wy yOo IliC
discharge of your duties.
II am sure that the general public does
not know how intricate and difficult the
postal service really is. 1t can only be
we'll done by those who are willing to
train and educate themselves for the
performance of its duties. Its hours of
labor are unusual, being early and late.
The duties are exacting, tireSOme and
.exhausting, both mentally and physi-
cally, and from long experience, | have
found that none but those intellectually
bright and physically strong can stand
its eXacting requirements. l accept the
token of your offer as a memorial to
transmit to my children as tangible
evidence of the esteem in which l was
held by those with whom l worked. To
achieve the good will of our political
friends or even the cOmmendatiOn of
our political opponents, is certainly an
honor to be proud OF, but to have the
good will and love of those with whom
we work is, conceive, the very great
est honor that at this time could be be-
slowed upon me. LII parting from a
service where we have all been well
treated by both great political parties
and generous public, who have recog-
ni2ed our mutual efforts to do our duty
to the service in which we have been
engaged the; only. regret have is. in
parting with YOU Manybof YOU who
now hold responsible positions came
here as mere lads, and have worked
your way to your present standing in
the Office. To part with you is like
parting with children, and is the only
regret have upon this occasion.
sit now only remains for me to COM
mend you to my successor and to ask
you to give to the public and to his
direction the same faithful service that
you have heretofore rendered me. He
NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION .a
to you. for you all know him. and recog-
niZe in him an old citizen who has long
been prominent in public affairs, and
one whose faithfulneSS in public and
private matters has never been i'm
peached. l am pleased to believe that
the most efficient recommendation you
can present to him is a faithful and
patient performance of your duties.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, with
nothing but good wishes for your snc-
cess and happiness, bid you an official
goodbye"
The employees then passed around the
room bidding goodbye to DE-. Day and
extending kindly greetings to Postmas-
ter Lee. When these ceremonies were
over WITH the new postmaster was
called on for few remarks. POStmaS-
ter Lee simply said that he would
be satisfied, if he received from the en-
plOyeS the same efficiency that marked
the administration of his predecessor.
Supt. Hardacre then dismissed the as
sembled servants of the government to
their several stations.
The clock which was presented to the
retiring postmaster is a very elegant
timepiece of black marble, surmounted
by an elaborate bronze figure. A silver
plate on the front of the clock bears the
following inScriDtiOn: