The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-07-27
Our Railroads.

hat this company Will neither moQl1y any
existing order or make any new one while
unlawful means are being made to coerce
t. Under other circumstances, it is al
ways ready to confer with its employees,
and adjust the compensation to its ability |
to pay, and the rates paid by other roads
situated.
After discussing the situation and hold
ing several meetings, in Davenport, the
men finally agreed to go to work again
with the understanding that the proposed
order for another 10 per cent. reduction
should not be issued. The result was tel
egraphed to President Riddle, who replied
as follows
CHICAGO, July &c, 1877.
A. Kimball, General Superintendent:
The good sense and fidelity of the en-
ployes of the Rock Island road is duly
appreciated. and if continued to the end
of these troubles cannot fail to prove ad-
vantageous to them.
(Signed) HUGH RIDDLE, President.
Trains are now running as usual on this
road and there are no fears Of any further
trouble.
At a meeting of the employees of the
G. B. 81 Q. held in Burlington, a
committee was appointed to wait upon
Vice President Perkins of that road, and
T. J. Trotter, Division Superintendent.
The committee stated that what they
wanted was restoration to laborers and
to the men in the shops of the rates prior
to September, 1878. This would be an
increase of about forty per cent. over the
wages now paid. They asked that engi-
neers, fremen and train men should have
the pay they received prior to September
l, 1876. This would be an increase over
present wages of about fifteen per cent.
They also insisted that there should be no
classification" of employees.
The reply OF the railway officials here
was that tie matter was of such import
ance, and affecting the interests of the
entire line, that they would be compelled
to refer it to the board of directors, and tC
that end they asked for six days time il
which to make final answer.
| The committee refused to grant thi
time. A discussion at a subsequent meet
ing of the men ensued as to whether pas
senger trains should be allowed to run
There was a difference of opinion upol
this subject some favored thorough
blockade. the stoppage of every train Of
the road. Others thought it was not expe
dent to stop the passenger, mail and ex
press trains. 1t was finally resolved t.
allow passenger trains to run. This will
extend over all the branches.
The result Of this acton cannot now b.
foreseen, but unless the company reced
from the position it has taken there
every likelihood of a complete stoppage Q
all freight trains, and possibly, before tn
end comes, of all passenger trains, and a
mail and express matter.
Everything on the st. Louis division {
this road is unusually quiet-and it is nj
known when trains will be running regt
larly again.
|
Union road yet, but trains cannot run an
thing but local freights, and passeng
q trains.
II Thursday evening. meeting of til
e striking railroad men, coopers and miner
u was held at Bittels Hall. Peoria. for Il
Il purpose OF discussing the situation of Il
: working men in this country. The BIT
W proving to small to hold the crowd, an a
Z journment to the open prairie was ha
10 after which the men were formed in
Vi line, aud marched first to the c., r. |.
is P. depot, where they detached all t
= passenger and baggage cars from the ou
?. going train, allowing only the mail C
ty and engine to proceed to Chicago. Fro
the depot they marched to the c., X. |.
ne Z, round house and ran all the engines
G. putting out the fires and the water out
te the boilers. From thence they march
e. to the P, P. & |. round house and we
al through with the same programme thel
At this place they met with some resistar
r. from two watchmen at the freight hot
ed and drove them away. After visiting
er the round houses they went to the L.
re 4 w. Bridge aud forced the watchmen
ne swing the draw, but finally allowed him
.ar close the bridge again. The crowd I'll
10. adjourned to meet again this morning,
tie which time they propose to form in /
Is. and visit all the manufacturing establi
,rt ments and wherever there are laborers
work, demand of them that they 81
so work. The crowd was more orderly tt
TO such gatherings usually are, and very
he of them were intoxicated. If they ca
Ter out their programme as announced
he night, exciting times may be looked for
We learn FROM the Peoria Democrat
Mt this morning that Peoria is now quie
nd after the strikers had possession of
in city for IL hours, and closed nearly ev
his manufacturing establishment, and stopI
at most of the trains coming to or leaving
rls city. The Democrat says that for so
al. unaccountable reason trains on the Pee
ted 4 Rock Island road we're not interfe
10 with. Business on the road was suspend
vas however, as a precautionary measure,
I'm to- day everything was running as usual
A Solace for the Aged.
h;s In the decline of life, as the vigor of
NO system wanes, ana infrmities attack it
b which in early life it was a stranger,
~ use of safe medicinal stimulant is hig
advisable. Nothing. as exneriencR shn