The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-10-27
NUMBER 35.
The Locomotive Engineers,

AAo 0VOOmVLAfo ASlu66rbs
The annual convention of the In
ternational Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Engineers opened at Boston on
Wednesday. p. M. Arthur of Cleye.
land. Ohio, gread chiefof the brother.
hood, delivering an elaborate open.
ing address. He stated the important
events of the last year, naming the
difficulties of the engineers with
several railroad companies and re-
fiecting with severity upon Mr..
Franklin B. Goweh, president ofthe
Reading Railroad cofnpahy, who is
charged with directing a blow at
their organization, and telling them
either TO leave the d aaerII6od 0r
lieage the employ Of bsle company.
This Mr.. Arthur declares, has
brought on "a contest in which the
principles Of freedom or slavery are
involved, and ofie that should arouse
a feeling of resentment in the breast
of every w0fkingman." He declared
that the brotherhood had for its
object the improvement of morals
and the development of greater pro-
ticiency among the engineers of the
country, provision for sickness and
death, and the honorable and laud-
able desire to secure a just and eauit.
able compensation for their services.
Mr.. Arthur justified the recent strike
and cited particular cases where he
argued the members Of the brother
hood had been harshly dealt with.
1.-The fact" said Mr.. Arthur, "that
the brotherhood has never resorted
to strikes when the officers of a road
have eVinced a disposition to consult
their employees in a gentlemanly
manner is the best evidence we can
give that we do not advocate strikes
except as final resort; it is our only
hope when other means fail. They
admit that our association has &C.
complished much good, and they
approve Of the charitable and behev-
olent features of the institution, but
tn y deny that we have any rights
which railroad managers are bound
to respect.h
Mr.. Arthur says that despite the
opposition to the organization on the
part of the great railroad corpora
tions, the brotherhood is extending.
been granted during the past year.
He exhorted the brothers to shun
liquor, and shape their lives true to
the calling of honest noble manhood.
He also urged the brothers to abstain
from meeting and transacting their
business on the Sabbath, and dis
countenancing all unnecessary work
on that day. Fe advised the fnem-
bers to husband their resources de.
claring that their "only hope Of
successfully resisting the insidious
attacks of their enemies is well.ditec-
ted, organized effort"
"Some of the newspapers" said
Mr.. Arthur, shave teemed with
abuse and Misrepresentation; we
have been denouced and stigmatized
as communists, deinagogues and
bulldozers, laws have been enacted
in number of the States restricting
the rights and privileges of engineers,
charmed circle has been drawn
around the railroad corporations of
those States absolving them from
compliance with every law which
demands recognition and obedience
from the workingmen In their
humber, thought not less honorable
sphere. We are banded together for
self-protection, and in these days
when capital so remorselessly sets
its iron heel upon the necks of the
laboring clases we ask in the name
of God and humanity are we not
justified in using every honorable
means to provide for the daily wants
Of ourselves and families?"
The address of Chief Arthur was
frequently and warmly applauded,
and vote was passed that it be
printed in the journal of the brother.
hood,