The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-08-04

NJ. hILuult olduu NHlVA Va VIC
Brotherhood ot Locomotive Engineers,
prepared q lengthy statement OF the orr
gin and designs OF Lis order, embracing
vatious points having an important
bearing on the great strike. Arthur
says: I'VE are banded together for self
protection, and in these days when cap
ital SO mercilessly sets its iron heel up
on the necks of the lsboring classes, we
ask.
IN HE NAME OF GOD AND or HUMASI
are we not justified in using every homer.
able mean, t. provide for the daily wants
of ourselves End tamilies2 Ten cents II
dav i a small matter, but the spirit OF
some hardened corporations, So anti.
American and so undemocratlc, has pro-
claimed 20 the world that the working.
men have no rights which capitalists are
bound to respect
at Is THIS SPIRIT
which has brought about the present
state of affairs. 1t has been asserted
that, although the brotherhood were not
active participants in the present confIc',
they are the Instigstors OF 1t, which l
most emphatlcslly deny. We have no
alliance with any otner class of employees,
were not consulted, aud knew nothing
about the strike on the Baltimore and
Ohio until we read ii IN the papers. Yet
have no hesitation in saying that rs al
organiZsti on we
AREIN sYMPATAY WITH THE RAILROAD
MEN NOW ENGAGED IN THE sTKIKE,
and believe, with the exception OF the
Erie road that they were justified in re-
fuslng e. work under the last reduction,
and IN persusding and hiring others
not TO take their places. Beyond that
We had no right 70 90, no matter how
uuch we felt sggrieved. Those
WHO REsoRTED TO VIOLENCE HAVE FOR
FEITED ALL CLAIM
TO public sympathy, and are looked on
and will be treated as outcssts. But it is
we'll for us to pause and consider what
has brought about this State, and apply
the remedy. The misfortune of our day
is too much capital
IN THE HANDS OF IGNORANCE, con-
rRoLLED BY AvARICE AND PRIDE.
Capital, in the hands of intelligence, sus
aimed by generous consideration for the
welfare of all men, is to be encouraged;
bat when used To pamper Incidence, etc,
must not only be frowned on, but met by
organized combinations OF intellectual,
enlightened labor. Thus combination
of labor may give capital better direction
and both become mutually mindful OF
each other.
"THE SYSTEM or RAILWAY MANAGE
MENT
and the paying OF employees has under
gone q radical change within ten years
to which | attribute the present trouble.
The financial embarrassment and bank
ruptcv of many of the trunk lines, to say
nothing of the smaller roads, has been
occasIoned by the mismsnagement OF
those who were originally put into office
by the stockholders, but who finally, by
means of opportunities obtained became
themselves practical owners OF property
Originally employed 81 stated salaries TO
give exclusive attention to the details
ard general management of stOckhold-
era, property, that had no better right to
engage in outside tran ssctions than their
humblest of employees. Had such rail-
WAY managers given their time and at
tention exclusively TO the work they en-
gagged to perform, not one of them to-
day, from his legitimate income Of salary,
could honestly lay claim to more than 8
modest 100000. Whist are the iscts2
These managers, known Is presidents,
first, second and third and fourth vice.
presidents, general managers, and assist
aut general managers, have taken adj
VAL tage OF their official snd controlling
positions
TO DIVERT MEANS JUSTLY BELoNCING
To TIKI EMPLOYERS lTHE sToCKHoLD.
ERs)
into their own pockets. Let them re-
fund to the various railroad corporations
these diverted revenues, and there will
be no necessity for taxing 10 and 20 per
cent off poor employees TO pay interest
on railway bond in foreign countries
TO keep them out of the Sherifts hands"
Arthur continues: What has these
great msgnstes done with the millions
of diverted railroad revenue? They
hsve manipulated stocks of corporations
whose interests they were originally en-
ployed to protect, to make themselves
absolute owners OF the railroads. Where
are the stockholders that can now Gust
the Presidents and minor officials from
the trunk lines? Minor stockholds have
no more control than switchmen. There
has grown up.
A PURsE-PRoUD RAILROAD ARJSToCRA.
CY,
which, having the technical form of law
on their side, snap their fingers in the
faces of the general community, snd
successfully DEFY opposition. We'll msy
these original employees, but finally own
ers oil the RAILROADS., stand by and see a
few millions OF property destroyed,
when they still have in reserve many
millions. These men have diverted the
revenues through the channels OF fast
freight express companies, sieeping-csr
companies, railroad hotels and eating
houses, passenger insu snce companies.
telegraph companies, etc UutIi these
managing rings ARE broken up, auu e.sc-
ticsl, competent, honest men substituted,
we shall continue to have trouble l