The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-01-12
Conscripsing Railroad Employees.

The Presidents of the Richmond and Pessvsbure
and Richmond aud Fredericksburg Railroads q few
days since presented to Congress q most sensible
remonstTance against the indiscFiminate conscrip-
ton ofrailroad employees, and replacing them with
disabled soldiers. This remonstrancc IL endorsed
by the Presidents Of the Wilmington and Weldon,
Wilmington and Manchester and other roads of the
Confedcracy. Ths following 10 an extract from this
remonstrsnce:
1t IL the idle dream Of theorists and deelaimers to
substitute disabled soldiers, others incapable Of
military service for men educated for, and en-
plOyed in, these pursuits The simplest of them
requires far more peculiar skill and experience
than the inex peYienced can be made TO understand.
And nothing islnare certain than that men unfit for
military service are wholly unfit for the employ
ment on raj roads. Actual experience has estab-
lisheS this beyond doubt. This blind zeal to pus
every male in the army can only increase the
number TO be fed, armed, and clothed while II de-
stroys the only resources fr Transporting troops,
food, arms. clothes for them-already made
the existing laws and military regulations, the ef
cheney and capacity of every railroad In the
Confe 'eracy 10 very greatly diminishcd for want
of suitable men to operate and keep them 10
repair. The employment Of inexperienced men
produces confusion, and inuItipiies collisions and
accidents, while the want Of mechanics keeps q
lnrge portion Of machinery and cars useless for
want OF repairs. Take any considerable number
OF the railroad employees remaining and the opera
tf0ns of the railroads must cease. Let the Obv-
eminent undertake to carry them on with disabled
soldiers, boys, or old men, without experience or
skill, and but few months weeks will suilce 70
show the last train the lsst railroad In tho
C0nfederaey. No agencies have been more etfi-
cient and neeessary In carrying on this war than
the railroad companies Adopt the measures. pro-
posed, and not only will you inict widespreadI %
on stockholders, (many 0f them soldiers In the
army,) but you put an end TO raiiT0ad tfaueD rta
zion What substitute for it can b. bad? II rc-
quires one thousand wagons and drivers, and four
thousand hOrses, 70 transport 10 five days what Z
railroad train can In one, ~ dve times that num-
from, when enough for the other wants OF the army
cannot be had?
With those best acquainted with the condition
aud resources Of our railroads, Including the OH
cersnf Government having special charge OF rail
road transportation, 1t has been long subject oi
moa ANXIOUS consideration bv Whist means these
agencies can be maintained In operation with
every tosteriug care aed aid which the Govern.
mens cau beseow on them, and III are oppressed
b Abandoned with each successive ear Of this
war. What, thva, must be the result, and how soon
must Il occur, when the Government, instead OF
fOsseriua, sei further erpples and destroys lheU
A. eady the 0overpnent he's Bureau Of the War
Depannent supssiatendinS railroad transponati0n.
Let The o1leers OF that buHoaa be cons0iled ~ 70
the e1eet Vi The proposed measures. They are i0-
LEI not blind seal swelling the nunsbess of Tie
army, NJ 1rejudtcs agaja&s satlFoaa eO@paatas
(whn wese the 6rss TO sussA!n the 0overnnssst ~
or ring 10 psrform IT. transportation st bali fates
Of toll, md 70 Feeeiya payment In oovcmmea1
b0ads aad notes when they had 10 0agkse vAtnsJ
spreefpilate the co1nty and ~ asssEs Into tsse-
Hisyabie disasssr