The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-07-26
LOCAL MATTERS.
A speech OF TIsanks---<ieneral Wick
ham to His Men.


Yesterday about IL o'clock 2. NJ. General
w. G, Wickham went to the Chesapeake
and Ohio shops, in company with Captain
Dunn, engineer and superintendent, ana
Mr.. J. Mcfarland. master OF machinery.
and after the men were called together ad-
dressed them in regard to the manner IN
which they had rcpeled the charges made
against them. Hc said:
~ Gcntlemcn,-I came here for the purpose
OF personally thanking you for the prompt
and decided manner in which you have re-
PEELED the aspersions cast upon you, ana 10
! thank you for the expressions OF confidence
| in the officers OF the road. .. ....
When I first saw the charges made against
You I pronounced them untrue and un-
| founded. ! was confident that you, who
had friends, property, and character in this
community, were not willing to inaugl-
rate a movement which has in every in
stance passed beyond the control OF those
who began it into the hands OF "bummers
and thieves" and has resulted in terrible
scenes OF violence, destruction, and blood
shed.
had no idea what your action would be,
but am very glad indeed to see that you,
together with the men on the Richmond ana
Dunyille, and the Richmond, Fredcricks-
burg and Potomac railroads, are the hrst
workingmen in the country to condemn
| those acts OF insubordination and violence
which have disgraced so many sections OF our
land. an glad you have so acted, and am
satisfied that such action Is the best possible
course for you to have taken. peheveyo
all feel that the best which was possible uil-
der the circumstances to he done mas Dcen
done bv the management OF the road. lou
| ;o. ayi pp1harra G.
ments under which we have laborcd, eSpe-
cialIv lately. in regard to the coal trade. In
stead OF hauling 100 loaded cars per day,
these cars are now nearly all idle upon the
sidinys, and we have lost nearly all the reve-
nue. from that business.
have particularly spoken to you ana OF
you because YOU were distinctly mentioned
as being unfaithful to the company, but L
do not intend to be invidious, and it is due
TO them to say, that whilst | have implicit
reliance i'm the men OF the eastern division,
7 have fully as much confidence in the en-
ployes OF the middle and western divisions
as | have in those Of the eastern. All have
proved their right to be considered true and
to possess my confidence.
we are now earning only enough to pay
the cxpenses OF the road, but are working
hard to build up our business, which can
only he done by the full and hearty support
OF all connected with the road. Unless we
can succeed in this we cannot obtain 1unds
to pay our employees or to maintain the line
open for trade and travel.
One thing is certain, il trains cease to
run money ceases to come in, and the means
OF giving employment will he at once cut of:
We have done the best wc could, and L
am cratifed to know that you appreciate
our efforts: and again thank you and eX-
press my full confidence that will be sup
ported in my efforts by you OF Richmond
as well as by those OF Staunton, Hinton,
and Huntington. [Cheers by the men,! =,
The remarks of the General were received
with evident satisfaction, andthc prolonged
cheers OF the men evidenced his popularity
with them and their appreciation OF the ef,
forts he has made to sustain the road and
maintain its efficiency, notwithstanding the
great disadvantages under which the ROAD
has lately struggled.