The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-05
GREAT ARMY
OF POSTMEN
[Continued from Page 81

ICOntinucd from Page 5.l
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sociation and paid a high tribute to
the worth and intelligence Of Frank Il.
Houts, organizer and leader of the Mail
Carriers bands in New York, Jersey
City and Newark, and in behalf of the
members Of the three organizations he
presented Mr.. Houts with "a gold cor
net. made by c. G. Coon, of New York.
The recipient was too much overcome
to speak and received the congratula-
tions of Postmaster General Smith,
Governor Stone and superintendent
Machen before leaving the platform
The band played THE Georgia Camp
Meeting" as he walked from the stage.
Governor Stone was the next speaker,
and he said he was very much graft
fled at everything. and everybody he
had seen, and pleased at what he had
heard during the day. He learned
some things. too. he said. He did not
know that the letter carriers organ
lied bands, but had heard that the
New York force had glee club, but
was not surprised that they did not
bring them along after hearing these
Welshmen sing" referring to the
Scranton Glee club.
Mr.. Stone said he would rather hear
the glee club sing than To hear himself
speak, and he was of the opinion that
there were others in the audience who
shared the same opinion. But behind
all he had seen, he said, was evidences
of success. When he saw the mailmen
march he wondered at their not being
connected with the National Guard.
Everybody is glad to see the letter
carrier, especially when they bring let
ters. he said. The governor referred
to the accuracy of the postman In de-
livering mail and cited an instance
where letter was addressed to him
simply bearing the name of the street
he resided on. small stone was tied
to the envelope. He also referred 10
the letters that were sent and received
during the war of '65, and said they
were the means of keeping the army up
and keeping the soldiers at the front,
"a it hadn't been for the letters Mr..
stone said, "al the boys would have
retIssned home" Who can estimate
the comfort and sympathy of letters,
and who can estimate the sorrow, re-
grct and misery they bring" he said.
1t is the greater mystery to the gov
ernor how letters get to him, he said,
but in closing he took opportunity to
tell the people that it isn't often he
gets an opportunity to talk to such an
audience. Uusually, he said, he talked
against the wind out doors.
He was glad the mayor waited until
after everything possible had been
taken at Harrisburg before mention
ing that the citizens of Scranton could
get what they wanted. When he be-
gan to stop speaking, he said, it was
hard to do it, and concluded with a
reference to the man who went out
TO kill a bear, but when the animal
clasped his paws around him, he called
to his wife to come out and help him
let go Of the bear. The address was
we'll received and Governor Stone
stamped himself a great favorte with
the audience.
Down Deweys Way" John Courier
Morris stirring composition, was sung
by the Glee club. Messrs. Watkins,
Stevens, Jones and Beyon singing the
solo parts. The next speaker was
Superintendent Machen, who said he
was pleased to attend the reception
and thought that Scranton was a re-
Velation to the visitors.
The public buildings, school houses
business blocks and paved streets We're
in conformity with first class cities.
His address was mainly in relation
to the work Of the association and the
postal service, and incidentally stated
that Postmaster General Smith was
the most solicitous head of the depart
ment for the welfare of the men that
he had known since he was in the SER
vice.
A. j. Colborn was the last speaker and
his address teemed with patriotism. He
spoke Of the women who were instru.
mental in making the carriers demon.
stratiOn a success and who have made
the carriers what they are. The great
| est battle ever fought, he said, was
| fought by the mothers Of men in the
| journey from the cradle to the grave
Mr.. Colborn said he believes in the
American republic and he has no pa.
| thence with the men who try 10 sup.
press the flag where God has destined
| it to be placed, and wherever 1t was II
| is your emblem and mine.
The meeting was brought to a close
shortly after II o'clock with the sing
ing of 'The Star Spangled Banner" by
the Glee club and the audience accom-
panied by the letter carriers band.