Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-07-28
The Railroads and the Strikers.

Before the employees of the Balti-
more and Ohio and the Pennsylvania
Railroads forfeited the respect of de.
cent people, and by their a, Is declar-
ed themselves outlaws and tie enemy
of society. they had very good cause
1t is certain that public sentiment
along the line of the former road was
very much in their favor. Indeed,
there was a good deal in their case to
call forth sympathy. BY the latest
statements of the officers of the BalLi-
more and Ohio its net earnings were
nearly four and a-half millions, and a
dividend of ten per cent. was paid on
its stock last year. 1t has always
been believed that the road is strong.
1t was when it entered into the through
freight war. Nevertheless, while ten
per cent. dividends were being declar-
ed. the wages Of employers were con-
stantly being cut down until first. class
brakemcn and tiremen who had been
on the road years were paid but 81 SO,
and second class employees but 81 80
per day. And even with these wages
there were unusual hardships. Men
were frequently paid but for four days
in the week, and are compelled to pay
their expenses away from home part
of the time. 1t is true that these
wages are higher than was paid before
the war, and that in many respects
the cost of living is no greater. Still,
it must be admitted that the per dun
above named is inadequate, The
case of the Pennsylvania Railroad is
little different. Its last report, after
paying high rentals on leased lines
the intrest on its bonded debt and al
5 per cent. dividend, showed q surplus
of over q million and q half dollars
If these statements of the financial
condition and business of the road,
are true, there is no good reason fo
the reduction of the wages of the EN-
ployes, unless corporations are allow
ed to justify themselves by the plei
that the men are so situated that they
must accept such wages as they Sc
fit to offer. If this defence is receive,
as sufficient, the corporations vii
need no other, should they undertake
to compel this class of employees t
serve them without any remuneration
If, however, the managers of thes
: companies have been making a falls
statements of their affairs and hav
been paying eight and ten per cen
: dividends with borrowed money, the
they have not been dealing fairly wit
g the public. If the managers had eve
!. presented their case to their mel
shown them that they were doing
losing business, expressing q purpo:
to make their hardship as light ;
: possible and promising a return
better rates on the revival of bushes
it is quite probable that a portion
It this trouble might have been obviatc
l. 1t is in that spirit that President Va
), derbllt of the New York Central hi
approached the employees of til; roa
. He tells them that their intrests a
= indentical with the stockholders, al
u" that their faithfulness shall not be fo
gotten or go unrewarded.
Trades-unions have undoubted
:, done much to prevent communicate
- between corporations and employ
y This curse of the old world has be,
= an element of evil in this country ;ai
! although its power has been broke
u it is really at the bottom of the pre-
ent difficulties. 1t seems if the bar
full influences and animosities resu
10 ing from trade-union could be banis
n ed, and if the managers Of corporatio
f. would show greater interest in t
10 welfare of their employees, that the
20 might result mutual feeling Of con
IS dencs and respect between employ
&c and the better portion Of employ
TO which wonld heal up trades unionis
A and its resultant of lawlessness a
:. bitter resentment. Boston Jou1nc