The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-06-20

A few wer~s sinca, in IN arsiels ON
4'Hsrkss and AEbiRation,n We REPEALED tla
statement, toe frequently INDUCED IN, thai
workinemen alone ere responsibls for oil
dificul.'ss arising between employers and
employ, which culminats in strikes, and
referred 70 the fact that, in nany insseness,
those daring 10 aak redrsas Of grievances
we're sunmarily discharged.
The following eirOulrs issued % ias'
resort, BY the employees Of the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad. 81 Whistler, Ala, after al
other means had failed, tells ice own tale.
and eorrO6orates our every statement. Is 4
addressed to schom u may cosseevn, and 4
concerns every man who earns bic living b.
honest toll. and every citizen desiring The
welfare Of his counsEy and Ito institutions:
WHISTLER, ALA., MoHlLE am 0mol
RAILRoAD, June 4, lisa. I
To VI HON n MAY CoscKM:
We, the employees Of the Noble Ohic
Railroad, having for many months uD..ii. ed 20
the wrong and impoSitiOns that have been easI
upon u, have at last concluded that a. freemen
born, and white men, the hope Of the country.
We owe it to ourselves, orr families, and TO pos
terity, to declare and avow that we viii use all
legal and honorable means in our power TO con
vince the minds Of those who are attempting TO
use Us a. instruments to retain their lucrative
positions on the road, that il Il danrc rous to
their interests, and to the interests of the road
TO continue this unjust treatment
Last October, when We sent our COMMITTEES
! to The managers Of the road 20 ask when they
ekasu
held in their possession, the committeeman were
ignominiousIy discharged. The order for their
discharge was issued to the master mechanic at
Whistler, VERBALLY, so that We could not ascef'
tain the author Of it. All the officers, from
Mr.. Murdock down to the master mechanic, hav.
ing become ashamed Of their mesn, uncerhaDd
actions in the matter, have each and every one
denied that they had anything 20 do with the
vile thing. The committee we're however turn
ed out Of employment.
We bore this, and much more. They (the
managers of the road) have broken faith with
Is. Time and again they promised US the earn
ings Of the road last winter, but instead of Us.
ing them to pay home debts, they sent the mo-
new to New England to pay for new engines,
when there were those here which could have
been repaired and used to a better advantage,
and at less cost. Why should they prefer to
send this money abroad in preference to using
il among our impoverished people, to whom II
rightfuliy belongeds
Again, they reduced our pay last February
one dollar per day. We submitted 70 this, in
view of their promises to give US our back pay,
which they failed to do.
On the first Of this month they again reduced
cur pay without giving US the privilege due all
men, when their wages are reduced, viz :-Ol
drawing what is due them and seeking employ
ment elsewhere 70 view Of this, we, the EN-.
ployes waited upon Mr.. kurdock, the president
Of the road, and stated 10 him that We we're viii.
ing to continue at our work il be would put our
pay at what it was last month, or pay 40 what
was due on last years work. He SAID positively
thaE ne would reduce ou- pay ana that We
could not expect TO be paid for work performed
last year in week, month, or in three months
he even stated that he did not know when they
could nay up the arrears
IN view Of the arbitrary and insulting manner
OF the officers, We have concluded to cease work
ing for the company until they shall come to
some reasonable terms.t
We beg the indulgence and sympathy Of the
travelling public for a short time, as the stopping
of the road il the only means in our power Of
protecting ourselves from further impOsitiona
We stood up manfulIy in the hoar Of our coun-
trys trial 10 protect it, and also 70 defend the
property Of those who are attempting to tyran-
nike ever us II this country is TO be freed from
domination OF en- inferior race, il is through the
workingmen that the object il to be accomplish
ed
Our votes viii tell in the coming contest We
intend to remain here and stand up for oui
tights as long as we have Il voice 10 speak, and
mind to direct.
SYLVESTER Warts,