The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-24
THEY'RE ALWAYS WELCOME
Letter-Carriers' Convention Opened IN
der Favorable Auspices Yesterday.
Addresses by Governor Chase, Mayor Sulli-
van, Postmaster Thompson and President
DenniSs-A Lively Struggle

icCcptloH Oh Tue NatlOndl ASSOCIATION OF
Letter-earriers' third annual conven ton
are lavish. Flags are draped upon the
walls and the stage decorated with flowers
aud tall spreading palms. 10 the right of
the presidents chair 10 O beautiful f1eral
design from the Indianapolis Branch. No.
81. composed of vari-colored China asters
and bslsams. The design is q large circle
OF China asters crowned by q smaller cir
Gle made of the same flowers and Srched
with bow of bright green leaves upon
which Is the word "Weleome." In the CEN
ter of the larger circle Is hand holding .
letter made from double baisams
GOVERNOR CHASE WELCOMES THEM.
The delegates began to assemble about
O'Clock and the hall and ante-rooms pre-
sented an animated appearance as the dele
gates mingled together and formed &C
quaintances with their fellow-laborers.
At 10 O'Clock the first session of the conven-
Dennis. After the opening prayer by Dr.
!Jenckes. the chairman introduced to the
body Governor Chase. who welcomed the
assembly to the State. The Governor
expressed his happiness at finding that the
president OF the association was an old
soldieS He was more than pleased to well
come the association as they brought with
them several of his comrades in the war
whom he had not seen for years. Speaking
OF the letter-carrlers work, he said that
this State. with it's fourteen colleges full
of letter-writers. probably bnrdsned them
more than other States. The Ietter-car-
rIer." the Governor said, comes next after
the minister IN the nearness OF his relation
to the people" A ripple of laughter went
through the body when he said: Il well
come you to the capital city of the State OF
Indiana with the same en-handedness
with which the maiden lady, given to tea
and parrots. awaits your arrival with the
letter replying 70 her answer to the adver-
tisement In the personal column for cor
respondent or twenty, with view to
matrim0Dy." The address was roundly
apDlauded and a motion carried TO give
him three cheers and tiger. which was re-
sponded to with hearty good will.
Mayor Sullivan was then introduced and
welcomed the delegates on behalf OF the
city. As he stepped forward there was
pinned to his coat letter-carrieI's badge.
Pointing to 1t, he remarked that. for the
day. he had been made letter-carrier. He
spoke of the letter-carriers as representa-
tive body seldom equaled In the many con-
yentions held In this city of conventions.
He assured them of the appreciation Of
the people of the CITY in their work. He
was accorded the three cheers and the
tiger at the conclusion of his remarks
PRESIDENT HARRISON AND HIS CARRIERS.
The next speaker to address the assembly
was Postmaster Thompson, of this city.
Mr.. Thompson said that the local postoffice
and it's letter-carriers arc the visible EVIL
dences of the great postal system of our
country. The efficiency of the mail service
is largely jud ged from the carriers actions,
and the reputation of the local Office is large
Iy within their keeping. Their business
brings them into daily contact with the en-
tire population of all the cities of the land
and the service is measured by the accuracy
and expedition with which they perform
their duties.
He com piimented them upon the plan of
their organization. and mentioned the ben
themselves In the way of hours of work
and compensation. In the course of his adj
dress Mr.. Thompson told this little moi
dent, which has never before been men,
toned publicly:
The illustrate the value of courtesy and fidelity
to dnty, with your permission, will relate an
incident Zone or many which has come under my
OWE observation. Four years ago General Har.
States. immediately after his nomination he in
vited his letter-carrer, Vim. W. Hall, into his
library, and explained that his mail would be
very heavy. and, az its care would entail much
vide messenger to look after his correspond
ance, his desire being to relieve the carrier of
rier deIpurred, and argued that he was given
that route, and was expected to handle all mail
for delivery within its bounds. and insisted that,
until 1t became too heavy, he would undertake
to make the delivery. so II was settled between
them. The mail was very large. and constantly
and harder. He came to o''t the "a ONCE
at o'clock in the morning to ar
range and route his mail; He provided
He never once complained. He was cheerful al
ways, and last. but not least, he was accurate.
This work lasted. without intermission, fer eight
long months. for after the election the volume Of
mail did not diminish, but rather increased
During these months the carrier was the recip-
lent Of many little kindnesses at the hands of
Generals departure for washington to assume
the duties Of his high Office, he sent for his car
rier, and conducting him to the library. private,
ly thanked him for the care and attention he had
given his mail and for his courtesy and fdelity
to duty, in q little speech such as General Harri-
son only can make. This was most gratifying to
Mr.. Hail. and he is pardonable for a feeling of
pride over it. He, however. replied that the
thanks he had just received more than repaid
that IL General Harrison would give him his
speech in writing he would prize it a treasure
OF great value. Soon after the Inauguration q
letter came TO Mr.. Hall from the executive man.
sion. That letter contained the thanks OF the
President Of the United States, over his own
signature. 1t is needless TO say that Mr.. Hall
would not part with IL for any earthly consider
alton.
PRESIDENT DENNIs's ADDRESS.
President Dennis then spoke of the mat
ters to como before the convention. The
two subjects of vital Importance to the as
ISOLATION to be considered by this body are
o revision of the constitution and the
adoption of laws for the government of
subordinate branches. The demand for
the adoption of laws for subordinate
branches was made from the necessity of
improving the administration of af-
fairs in the Letter-carriers Mutual
Benefit Association. which has its
headquarters in Cleveland. o. Besides
these two" said he. "there are other mat
tiers of great Importance to the ASSOCIATION
to be considered. and as yonr time is linn
tied, / take the liberty of suggesting that
every moment OF your time be devoted TO
the performance of the duties you have to
perform delegates. L believe this to be
the most important meeting ever held by
the association and that it will stand or
fall upon the result of your deliberations.
For myself / announce that / am here
for business only. and i trust in that de-
termination / shall be seconded by every
representative present. Mr. Dennis con-
clnded by abiding to the more than satis-
factory growth of the association within
the last year, during which time he said
more than one hundred branches had been
admitted to membership In the assOcia-
tion.n At the concluslon of his remarks
the convention adjourned for the morning.
Filing out of the hall they formed in
ranks ut the corner of tennessee and Wash-
ington streets, and. marching by fours.
paraded the principal streets. headed by
Captain Dawson. with platoon of police,
followed by the Progress Band heading the
local branch. The parade disbanded at
the Bates House. where the delegates
dlned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was called to order