New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-03-05
Our Railroad Men and Their Lives,

The recent terrible catastrophe at New
Hamburg, says correspondent Of the
Troy Times. has called public attention to
this class in I. manner which suggests
brief allus;lOn to its various elements.
When any one enters this branch of service
he will soon find that he is a member Of Il
very interesting community-one having
its opinions. its rules, and its customs pecu-
liar to itself. Even the water boy may feel
his pre-eIninence over other youth, and SO
can the book boy or news agent, who Ill
good times can make his ten or even fifteen
dollars per week. Then there is the brake
man, of whom there is one to every pair of
coaches. or, i'll other words, half a man to
each coach. To him there is no music like
the steam wiistle-at one time the long
and distressing Shrek blowing for station,
and then the short puff or signal for break
ing. This brings him to his lever. and,
with wrench that throws his body into all
manner of contortions, he ietches the roar
ing train to a halt
These fellows have all the dignity of a
craft They arc known as Jack" or BILL
or 81 Charley. and when passing at full
speed they Will greet each o.her on different
trains by q gesture peculiar to themselves,
being a gentle motion of the hand like one
beating time. The brakemen formerly only
received twenty-five dollars per month, but
of late years their pay has been raised to
forty dollars. This they increase by run
ming on extra trains, by means of which
they often make sixty dollars. A good
brakeman may hope in time for promotion,
and if not here. he may go West, where
they often are put into important positions.
The risks of this employment are very con-
siderable, but notwithstanding this there is
always rush for every vacancy. The great
misfortune OF this class is it's temptation to
dissipation. Brakemen could save money
if they choose, and indeed l knew one
young man in the service Of the Central, a
few years ago, who by strict economy, laid
the foundation of a handsome property
The laws Of railway life are rigid in the
extreme. Such is the grade or subOrdina-
ton from the president, general superin-
tendent, division superintendent, station
agents. etc, that all orders must be Obeyed
without question. There is but one law for
all, and this is obedience, and there is one
penalty, discharge. The railroad man is
therefore under "a daily risk of losing his
berth, and what in others might be a
tritling neglect becomes in his case unpar-
dOnable, since it may cost human life 1t
is a rule, closely adhered to, that no man
shall commit blunder second time, or in
other words, the opportunity will not be
permitted HIM This rule admits of M
ameliOration, and hence while no man is
discharged without cause, vet the oldest
man on the road may be removed at anv
time with cause. and without hope Of
restoration. This rule, like the sword of
Damocles, is always overhanging them.
There are very strong ties uniting this
Glass; and they have peculiar esprit de
corps, which shows itself on all suitable oc.
casiOns Whenever business sIackens 80
that a smaller number of men can perform
the daily service, instead of waiting to be
discharged, they mutually abate their time.
and sometimes each man will Law off for a
week general loss is submitted to rather
than to have its whole weight inflicted on
one OF the fraternity. Whenever one Of
their number dies, a badge of mourning is
worn by the whole as a token of respect for |
at least thirty days. The same spirit is
also exhibited by many kind offices shown |