The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-05-02
Che Rutland Daily Globc.
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 2, 1873
The brotherhood Of Locomotive I'm.
ginccrs.

instituted ut Detroit. Michigan. August II.
1863. The original constitution, admitted
engineers, fircmcn and machinists. This
feature did not meet the expectations of the
originators, and at special meeting of the
Grand Division, held at Detroit In February
1864, admission was limited to engineers
only, and at the following annual meeting
the name of the organization was changed
to the brotherhood of Locomotive En-
gineers The constitution and by laws
were revised and the whole fraternity was
placed upon now and solid basis. Charles
Wilson of Rochester n. Y. was elected
Chief Engineer, and has held that position,
devoting his whole time and enprgies to its
duties since. The admirable manner of
conducting its affairs under his direction
has rendered him immensely popular with
the brotherhood and he is dcserycllv held
in high regard. In 1866 still further inn
portant changes were made, rc-modcing
the whole working of the making
it really school of engineers
Many of the divisions have established
Libraries containing mechanical and other
useful works tending to improve and per-
feet the several members in the profession
and to develop their minds. II seems to he
the cndeavor to bring the organization 10
such standing, that it will be Il sufficient
guarantee, that any individual holding a
certificate of membership ia in all respects
qualified to ill any position as locomotive
engineer
The objects sought to he accomplished
are mutual assistance and relief. and to
combine the interests of Locomotive En-
ginccrs; to elevate their standing as such
and their characters as men. The hlgh
aims of this brotherhood of toll in one of
the highest forms of industry and one of the
most important fields of activity are com
mcndablc. Another purpose sought to he
accomplished is the promotion of the kind
licst relations between engineers and the
railway officials. as well as to render more
secure the interests of life and property
committed to their care. These objects
citizen.
This brotherhood, by its commanding
position, growing numbers and widespread
influence for good, is forcing itself upon
public attention, and it should, for it is of
general Importance. The strong muscles.
the controlled nerves and quick minds of
the men who hold the rcins of the
locomotive cannot he ignored. The great
the sacred lives of thousands are in their
hands. They are heroes. putting them
selves ut the post of peril for the sake of
others How many Il hero is found in
ihoir 'rnl,', rlunisins into certain death. his
hand grasping the throttle and the lever.
They are grand, hut oftimcs obscure. I'M
published heroes whom the world should
honor. The eye must he quick to watch
against Changers ahead, and the ear ready
10 hear any unusual sound and every power
strained to the utmost tension to guide the
railway train over dangerous chasms and
steep ravincs, fearful bridges, down
pcrilous grades. through awful cuts and
around curves where steady hand and quick
mind should guide them. In every rcvolu-
ton of the wheel, the engineer skirts the
VALLEY of the Shadow of death. \
broken rail- an embankmcnt given away,
sudden flash from the headlight that
comes sweeping around the corner and the
door of death swings open to him. Cour-
are, holiness manhood. pluck par
take of the old Roman idea are rcgaincd-
and we say ''GOd bless and preserve the
Engineer"
The organization is simple in its char
actcr consisting of National Division
having supervision of all the subordinate
divisions in the whole country. There are
hut three or four divisions in Vermont, the
| first of which was instituted at Rutland,
October Is, 1866, under the name of Rut-
| land Division No. 81, which now consist
| of 40 members, over which William H..
| Thrall, one of its earliest members and most
jealous promoters, prcsides, rs Chief En-
| gineer. This division has worked its way
unobstrusivcly in our midst with no effort
to attract attention, only at their annual
public installation of officers, or social
festival and on one occasion gathering
of the whole fraternity, in Vermont and
vicinity when public religious exercises
were held at the Congregational Church
the Rev. j. Gibson johnson preaching be
fore them an appropriate discourse. Thi'
gathering, although it took place upon til,
Sabbath, was marked with nh order anC
decorum particularly observable, calling
forth favorable comment from all who
witnessed the display. So far at least IA
this community have known the workings
Rutland Division has honored itself an,
the motto it bears upon its banner, I'D,
unto others, as you would that others SHOULD
do unto you and so fulfil the law"
We call attention to the Brotherhood IL
this time in tie view of their social festiva
which is to be held at the Rutland Oper
House ON Tuesday evening, May 2, tina
our readers may fully understand the OF
ganzation and its principles. The organ
izaton has its social features, and at suitabl
times and seasons the members gather to
gether with their families and friends in tn
enjoyment of the courtesies of life.
Such is the gathering on Friday evening
in obedience to a card issued inviting to
"Grand May Day Ball, at the Rutlan
Opera House on Friday evening May
1878. The celebrated Halls Band of Bos
ton are to furnish the music. Grand Marc
at s o'clock. Tickets 10 Hall II. 80; to Gal
lery 80 cents. y. Supper at the Bates House
Free return checks over all Vermont Raj
roads.
This festival is probably TO fill out til
programme announced last winter, whic