The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-10-31
rOtAerhoOd Of Locomotive Engineers.
bsrrvA.D At CHICAGO. ocrOpsR n. 1865.

experience has suggested as being necessary for
the welfare ant !, .rpetuity of our noble order.
10 entering upon our duties we assume great
responsibilities. The reputation, and perhaps
the very existence OF our organization dapends,
in great measure, upon the action Of this con-
vention. Then both officers and delegates most
asSuredy are entrusted With grave reeponsibsli-
ties, and, consequently, should act with great
care and caution Amy man occupying the posi-
zion as the first officer ~ any society assumes
great responsibilities I's is held responsible,
n a great ma me, tor .he acts Of ths society
to which he belongs and is supposed 70 reflect,
TO some extent, the opinions and pria ciples Of
the particular organization of which he is
member and first officer t
think all will admit that the first officer Of
this Brotherhood holds a position Of Yast re-
sponsibilliy, compared with many other men
holding ike positions in other societies. II the
officials, or members in any local organiza ton
make mistake il will only affect those in the
immediate neighborhood, and TO the extent that
the public are interested or Affected by such
mistake Blu: let mists lie b. mas IN the man
agemeRt OF orr affairs. as an !nterhationaf or
ganizat on. II will affect tue whole public, and
perhaps prove alike disastrous both to employer
and employe Feeling ne iull responsibility Of
my position as your frs, . icer, and having 10
motives other than the sac cess and general good
OF our order al heart, I nave endcavored 30 10
advise and counsel ss 70 insure the welfare aud
responsibility OF our organization, to the end
mat we may Prove BY OR good conduct and ju-
uiclous managemer +, as a society 81 locomotive
engineers, worthy Of a higher pos ion as men
and mechanics than we ia We hitherto occupied
With these feelings and with a great anxiety
on my part to say something 10 YOU Oh this &C.
caslon, that viii encouia age yoe and al our bro
thers Throughout the country ~ perseyete in the
right urti our character and standing, as a so
elelY. snail be Acknowledged as worlhy 81 the
high portion 10 which we aim, and shall have
secured the confidence and approval 81 All rail
read officials " DO are wiling to give their en-
Iiaeers credit in proport 3n AZ their conduct ard
ability may merit tAe'approval OF AZ good men.
While J realize the responsibilities Of mv posi-
ton, ! an not inseusibe Of the responsibilities
q my associates in ofiice and Of tie deleg ties
here assembled
Brothers, ~uu have here met TO mak laws aud
rules to govern all cur &C IONS as society drr-
ing the tnsuing year You aresanxions to o q +
range our business ~ this convention a. 70 have
A result 10 -. advancemeht Of our cause. and
foI the general good a The Brolhe rhood. In
doing this. know You are anxious, and I nav
say your sole aim IL 70 act justin with all--the
employer as well as tie employe. With til.
purpose you must assume great responsibilities
Hnd act cautiously, honestly and with the belief
that whatever YOU may here enact will Be AZ.
proved by all honest men, whether members OF
our order or those that are IN various wae.
connected with and inter sled in the great rail
road system on this continent, and who are de
pendent upon the prompt and reliable msnner
me trains are run, that CONVEYS the passenger
for bis comfort, o. ;hst transport the mereh n.
disc for Biz gain
We seek nothing but justice, and are irving
70 90 Improve our abilities as engineers and our
Characters as men, so that al n;st unite in say
ing, that ~ view Of the responsible position oil
locomotive engineers, 70 class should be more
careful 20 50 conduct themselves as to merit the
fullest confidence VI their employer 4 of al
those that entrust their lives an property il
their care, than the locomotive e ,ineeTs A:
q reward for the services Of such IS re trul,
reliable, no official, or ary one \ IL, the ieas
perception Of what is really for the interests 81
tie railroad companies, will object to making
the salary liberal and satisfactory When va
shall have attained TO this position. our labor
viii have been successful To accomplish thi
much desired result is the object u this conven
ton, and Tor The purpose Of impressing upon The
minds Of all here assembled Tie great response
biiity Of this convention have briefly alluded
"
olcious legislation az tits session. To MY mind
the task u easy If cur constituents viii only
join, heart and hand, with US and act honestly
ana with full determination to merit Ill they
demand
The progress made during the year nov closed
had been giatiil ~ 10 many respects. NY Of
fetal inter course s4th the offctisof this grand
body has been OF the most friendly character
ana have no doubt but that YOU will receive
satisfactory reports from all those that have
bctn n,tu win your business as an organ
ized body.
II viii not By expected Of ne to give a detail
Cd report Of our affairs refer you to the re-
ports ot your officers in the different depart
ments for iull report Of our standing al the
present tine.
viii say H. regard to the condition Of our
several sub divsions that my correspondence
hos been limited 70 The time could devote e
that duty. IL ms been a Source Of regret "a
me that could rot perform my duty n.tter in
Nat respect | thiBk, however, that all who
know bow my time has been occupied will not
require any apology al this time. | could have
used much more time prontably, and presume
wiih much better satisfaction 60 the suu-divi.
-ions, bit, rs | said before, ny time Was oceu.
pied with other duties.
l have bcen iaYOrsbly impressed in per
using the correspondence Of my brothers J
thihf he principles o. our organization are be
ms better uuttlstood The sole aim now seems
10 be "a merit al they q, mand by good conduct
and improved alsiity, o perform lhei. 1.ties as
ioScuotiSe engineers, I'D hereby secare the
cc..idence ard steem Of the ONE ais Sho are
intrusEtd win The management " -Tailrsads
throughout she country. rA
Difficulties had arisen ii some localities, and
our brother have felt justified IN acting hastily,
Whatever has zen done has been entirely upon
their own responsibility. An attempt has been
made by our enemies 20 briu. the brotherhood
INTO disreFute On account OF the acton taken
BY ieH % its mem beers. / do r oppose TO-
give the history Of tie trouble tha az eiisen
iH several cub. divisions At this tint Ii viii Be
a suitable matter ior this convention to invests
gate, end tae proper pagers viii be furnished
when needed. II this convention indorses TIE
action taken i can be said vita some truth tlaat
the BrotherhC "a re responsible
The most seri~ns trouble has occurred at St
Louis; Division ~ being the principal one ea.
gaged or affected by the difficulty Their com.
paints may be- Just against the Company, but
Ihey didnot take ihe proper course TO have
their actions approved BY Their sister Divisions,
and. cons1 quently, sse obliged 20 assume the
whole responsibility. l have not had the time
70 riNtsti gate tins natter a. fully as ! desired
boa, as stated before, il VIII be your duty 10
July inv, ssigaie lbe whole subject.
UhJectioIA are made 10 /. l. order, that the,
had no right 70 interfere ON roads where We
are n,- employed THIS, admit, il god logic
bat quite IS applicable TO the Official as to The
operative. / Sas surprised 70 see Telegram ia
ole II The pubie papers of this city, when wac
sent ID ths railroad officials Al ST. Louis and
signed by one of the most prominent railroad
officials Of this country saying, stand firm
viii send you help" Now, il il is tae legit
mate business Of n.ifoad officials - fur ISL hel
TO loads where any little dispute may arise be.
tNeeB-the officers aud the engineers, then Il il
the legitlHats business OF all the engineers
tbIoughout the whole country 20 CON bine foi
the purpose Of preventing this interference on
the part Of the officials railroads not under
their control. Ny plan would be for e. Ell to
attend TO lLeir respective duIes, and let sheir
neighDOrs manage their own Attain as suited
them best II Ibe principle Of force is TO D,
applied, then clearly ii is the duty uf each side
- make their foFcs ss strong as possible ). but
in any judgment, ghis principle of force is ali
wrong Tsere is 3 just and right decision to all
il not always arrived at-but if the