New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-20
MR.. DAYTON THEIR GUEST.
A DINNER GIVEN IN HIS HONOR BY POST.
OFFICE EMPLOYEES.
FIFTEEN HUNDRED SAT DOWN WITH THE Elk
POSTMASTER IN THE GRAND CEN

POSTMASTER IN THE GRAND CEN
TRAIL PALACE.
The regard which Charles w. Dayt,- in hs
term as Postmaster Of this city succeede. In win
ming from the rank and file OF the service was
demonstrated last night when nearly fifteen hum
dred letter-carrers entertained him at dinner ct
the Grand Central Palace In point OF numbers at
least, the dinner one of the largest that mas
taken place in this city for many years, and In
other respects also the gathering was remarkable.
The whole force Of the lettercarrers OF the city.
| with the exception of those men who were necessa.
rily detained duty. present al the dinner In
| full uniform they seated at fourteen long
rows of tables that occupied the entire space OK
the main floor of the large auditorium. and the
scene presented viewed from the galleries. was
one of exceeding brightness and animation. In
these galleries also assembled over two thou
sand relatives and friends of the letter-carrers.
who contributed their share 10 the occasion, while
the whole of the interior Of the hall was decorated
with flags and banners. In the evening Mr.. Day.
ton was made the recipient OF a costly bound
album containing illuminated set Of resolutions
tesifying to the affection held by all branches OF
the postal service for Mr. Dayton. and signed with
the autographs of over fifteen hundred letter.
carriers.
Mr. Dayton sat at small table placed in the
centre of the long rows Of guests. With him were
also seated Henry Hoecke. chairman OF the din
ner and Charles A. Tyler, who POSTMASTER.
and who Is reputed TO be the Oldest carrier In the
United States. having served no fewer than fifty
two years In the postal service. Ii was long after
II o'clock when John y. Parsons the president OF
the New-York Letter Carriers, vas introduced to
present formally the autograph album TO Mr.. Day.
ton In fulfilling this duty Mr.. Parsons spoke OF
the affection held for the ex-Postmaster by every
member of the service, and testified to the SYM
patty and consideration which Mr.. Dayton had
throughout his career exhibited TO the men whom
he had In charge
Mr.. Dayton, in rising TO acknowledge the presen-
tation Of the album. met an enthusiastic recep-
ton and several moments elapsed before the cheer
ing died away sufficiently TO allow him to proceed
with his response In part Mr. Dayton said:
NO executive, however endowed. In this day
and generation by the harsh exercise Of his arbi.
trary power gain the loyal support Of his subordL
mates The law OF kindness. administered with due
regard for discipline. is worth all the statutes and
regulations ever formulated. Moral forces and ap-
peals will conquer and prevail where edicts and
legislation are more honored In the breach than
in the observance
mo Postmaster at this city can fulfil his obliga.
lions unless he rely upon the fidelity OF those
under his charge. and that fidelity. TO be worth
ANYTHING can only be had upon the basis Of fair.
ness one toward the other. from Postmaster TO the
cleaner.
81 will frankly admit that. when entering upon
my duties there something of dismay in the
pro spect The responsibility was enormous was
lacking In knowledge OF my task. A survey Of the
situation soon convinced me that temporarily at
least the fate OF the New-York office was In the
hands Of the clerks and the carriers who did not
had strong political prejudices against me.
And so perforce. my first busiress was 20 study
the men BY whom l was thus surrounded and upon
whom l. acting for the Government, was SO Dc.
II visited the several departments and stations
at ali hours OF the day and night Not as de.
which to form a judgment and prepare plan Of
administration. In this way l became the friend
OF the postal force before they found me out. be.
cause saw despite many disadvantages how true
and faithful the large majority OF them were. and
| had faith that sooner or later they would give mo
their confidence and receive mine This quest OF
riecs were a divided house" With several OF
YOU. then existing organizations had conference,
soon reached the decision that. In the absence Of
one organization OF carriers here. There No
good reason to the contrary. and you recall how
we went about that effort. resulting In Sunday
gathering in this very place In 1884, when all asso.
Citations were merged In Branch No. sc Of the Ma
tional Association. triumph not only OF common
Of your rights and Improvement in the service.
what followed? A committee OF carriers waited
urcn me and said: Not carrier in this city asEs
for favor. Not carrier wants promotion outside
the ranks Not a carrier wants a transfer excepe
under prescribed rules where each has equal
chance The carriers do desire full, free and faiP
sentation at such hearings from among themselves
before the Postmaster. without suggestion .ntoDS
ference from any one outside the service
Those propositions were readily agreed to- <r11
know Of variance from them.
Among the lessons l have learned Is that pra0,
tical Civil Service reform is a benefit TO the public
cations do his work well Il he does not feel
that his pace II secure In good health and good
behavior. and that his promotion depends upon b.
merit and efficiency.
A.