The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-16
THE NEW POSTMASTER in
MIR. SAHM TURNS THE INDIANAPOLIS
OFFICE OVER TO MIR. HESS.
Parting and Inaugural Taiks-Em-
pIOyes Present Retiring officer
with "a Watch.

The formal transfer of the postoffice from
Albert Sahm TO j. w. Hess was made last
night shortly before midnight, the hour OF
Mr.. Sahm's actual retirement from office
There were few formalties. The stamps
and cash on hand were counted and the
new postmaster gave his receipt to Mr.
Sahm for them. There was ne administer
ing of the oath of office, as Mr.. Hess had
taken the oath several days ago before
Magistrate Hay. Postoffice Inspector
Fletcher was hand as a witness to the
proceedings. The postoffice is now in
charge of j, w. Hess, and he has appointed
as his assistant John Edward Shideler, son
of ID. B. Shideler, of this city. This is the
only appointment the new postmaster can
make under the law, as all the other po-
sitions are under civil-service. rules.
Preceding the formal transfer Messrs.
Sahm, Hess Reveal and Shideler received
the employees of the office in the main room
OF the postoffice Mr.. Sahm made a neat
address in retiring, in which he said:
Fellow-clerks and Carriers-The best of
friends must part some time is d phrase /
nave often seen in print, often heard it ut
tered, ana not infrequently made use of it
IN a general way myself; but not until now
when its meaning comes straight home to
me in all its stern reality, have | realized
its real significance. ] have tried to find
some hitting way of conveying TO you the
impression 1t has made upon me, but words
fail me. There are no words to fttingly
cover the case. In the battle of life, in the
struggle for existence, in the pursuit of
business, with all it's environments | have
frequently met with what seems insur-
mountable barriers and embarraSsmentS.
In the discharge of the duties of this Of
flee ofttimes have L had department orders
staring me in the face, the execution of
which seemed impossible without embar-
RAISING results. Questions have arisen, the
adjudication of which caused me much con-
lecture and misgiving, but somehow | man
aged to meet the emergencies bravely But
now Wnen IT comes to severing my assOcia-
ions with you whom i have met daily for
the last four years; when it comes to turn
and duties of which have become so familiar
10 me say now when It comes to this,
simple as the act in itself may seem, my
courage fails me and l falter.
Boys, l hate to leave you. All of Won
without single exception, have worked so
faithfully, have all been so true to your
patrons, to the service and to me- in rain
IN shine and under so many trying condi-
tons; but you and / and our patrons have
all mad In this compensation. Your fealty
to duty has brought about good service has
given the office record second to none in
TINS great land, the result being that we are
frequently referred to and consulted by
parts OF the country. For all of this shall
De ever indebted to you. My whole aim
anu constant desire, as you know. has been
10 serve the public well and faithfully You
nave made it possible for me to do this
Ana let me further say, and / would be lIn-
mindful of the sacred duty did [ not say
IT, that the press of this great city has
made it possible for us to conduct this i'm
portant business in a successful and salts
factory manner. The treatment accorded
us mas always been courteous, which en-
couraged US all to strive the harder to merit
such consideration. 1 wish 1 could coin a
t Word Ito TO adequately express my thanks to
But let US not overlook the fact that
great factor in our success has been the
nearly nearly cooperation on the part of our
patrons, 10 whom, one and all, | now ex-
tend my heartfelt thanks for the uniform
courteous treatment and consideration
SHOWN u.s. without which good servica
would have been impossible And now in
leaving you, know you will not take
amlss a parting request. I want to be-
is. in my judgment, none more ambitious TO
excel, the same hearty willingness tho
same decorous demeanor and the same
faithfulness in the discharge of duty that
you extended to me to the end that when
ne retlres from office it may be said that
ne ne was vas. the very best postmaster Indanap-
an win every success in the future with
good health to you and your families. and
with long life and prosperity
PRESENTED WITH A WATCH
The response was made by David M. Ell
lott, one of the oldest employees of the Of
nee In conclusion he presented Mr.. Sahm
with a fine Swiss watch, on the outside of
which was Mr.. Sahms initials in mono
gram form, and on the inner cap the follow
ing inscription: Presented to Albert sabm
Postmaster, Feb. Is, 1898, by the Clerks and
Letter Carriers of the Postofice. Indian
apolis''
Mr.. Hess also made a few remarks. He
said his highest aim would be to give the
people of Indianapolis the best possible
service, and the only way this could no
done would be with the hearty co-oneration
of all the men associated with him. The
highest test of the man would be his will
lhgness TO 90 his full duty. He hoped the
relations between himself and ali the en-
as they had been with Rs Mr. aT f saSm
eEeuve h hsre Of 5p t Isrve ones the ex
see that the orders of the department were
carried out, He believed they would be rea-
sonable orders, but if they were not he
would resign his office before he would ex
ecute them He admitted that he knew lit
tie of the business he about to under
take and invited every employee to aid him
in getting acquainted with his duties.
Oliver Reveal the retiring assistant and
John f.. Shideler, his successor, each made
appropriate remarks. Mr.. Shideler likened
Mr.. Hess and himself on the one hand and
Mr.. Sahm and Mr.. Reveal on the other to
two steamers he had seen at New York.
One had just arrived from Europe the
other was just starting out over the course
of 5000 uncertain miles. Mr.. Sahm and Mr.
Reveal were like the one that had Just fin
iShed the course He and Mr.. Hess were
just starting the uncertain voyage and
nothing but the best skill on their parts
and on the part of every man associated
with them could insure the voyage the sue
cess that was hoped for. I'VE can do only
one thing from day 10 day., he said. THAT
is our full duty. | will give my best efforts
TO the service. That is all any of you can
do, and you can honestly do no less
Following the speeches all the employees
passed in line and shook hands with the old
and new postmasters and assistants.