The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-11-14
THE RAILROAD ENGINEERS.
ADDRESS OF THE CHIEF.

esAA4@AvOe&&~
Address OF THE CHIEF.
At the fourteenth annual convention OK
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
which was held in Indian apniis last month,
and to which our worthy townsman, Ray
mond T. Dunn, was delegate from this d.
vision, some interesting facts were made
public with reference to the organization
and its attitude towards railroad officials.
The organization was welcomed by the
Mayor, in a handsome address,, and during
its session the meetings we're attended by
some of the most prominent citizens OF the
city and State.
By request, and as of special interest to
our numerous railroad patrons, as well as to
the general public, we publish the address
of President Arthur. 1t will amply repay
perusal.
THE ADDRESS
is rs follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen -
After lapse Of fourteen years, God, in His
wisdom and kind providence. has accorded
MS the privilege Of meeting again in the city
of Indianapolis, to hold our fourteenth an
nual convention.
Fourteen years ago the 18th OF last Au-
gust the locomotive engineers held their first
convention in this city, under the name and
title of the Grand National Division Broth
erhood of the Foot board Of the United
States, with fifty-three delegates, represent
ing that number OF subdivisions. 1t was at
that convention the present name and title
of our organization was adopted. Time has
wrought many changes since then. In look
ing over the list of delegates to that conven-
ton find there are very few ofthem In ac-
tive service as engineers at the present Time
Some are superintendent, master mechan-
les, road masters and conductors, while 9TH
ers have passed away from the busy scenes
of this life, and joined the great Brother
hood of Man in the world beyond. be-
lieve our worthy grand chaplain, George w.
Tyler, and Brother Allen, are the only rep
resentatives to that convention that are
present with us upon this occasion.
As we contemplate the great benefits de-
rived and the grand results achieved during
our existence as an association. we have
great cause for thankfulness to God for the
special blessing uclisafed to us.
FALSE BRETHREN CONDEMNED.
We have at this time equal reason to be
thankful for his continued protection over
us during the EAST year. 1t has been the
most remarkable one in our history in many
respects. Events have transpired Of a most
startling character, illustrating very forcibly
the depravity of the human heart. Those
whom we have hitherto regarded as men OF
honor and integrity, who have always been
prominent, active workers in the organiza-
tion, have sought, by falsehood and Intrigue,
to overthrow and destroy an association
which they have of their own free will
bound themselves, by sacred oath. to pro-
tect and support. They have conspired with
INSCRIPTIONS men on the Central road OF
New Jersey, Delaware. Lackawanna and
Western and Lehigh Valley roads, to issue
and put in circulation paper for the engi-
neers to sign, agreeing to withdraw from the
brotherhood in five days, representing that
it o, iginated from the receiver of the road.
whose orders were imperative !; that they
must sign it or leave the company's service.
1t was the meanest, basest. most contempt
IDLE act of treachery that could be conceived
Of Some OF these same men were the most
jealous advocates of the strike OF October,
1876. md urged the most extreme measures
to defeat the company. What reliance can
there be placed il such men? What are
their promises good for when they would
violate solemn pledge without the least
provocation whatever They are destitute
''rule or ruin" Under the guise of friend
ship they gain your confidence only to be-
tray it. They are dangerous element in
society. They are communists in the broad
have severed their relations with us, although
we would have preferred to have had them
done it in more honorable way, as their
conduct has cast stigma and reproach up
on the order that will take years to remove.
If they had desired to leave the brotherhood
why did they not 60 to their divisions like
honest men, and submit the question to
vote? Then, if the majority decided to sur.
render their charter, we would gladly have
accepted of it and granted their release
Their conduct confirms the fears we have
frequently expressed, that our subdivisions
were not particular enough in ascertaining
the true character of the candidate for ad-
mission. There has been too strong desire
manifested to swell the numbers, regardless
of the requisite qualifications, and we have
reaped the fruits Of our own negligence, land
l trust we shall profit by the experience of
the past, and be more vigient in the future.
Had our laws been observed and the rules
rigidly enforced, we would not have been
by the abominable farce enacted
upon those roads.
I am aware that there is strong preiu-
dice existing in some sections of the country
against cur organization, which has been
created 20 a great extent by the hasty, i'll
advised, unwarranted actions of portion of
the members, and the strikes. We have no
desire to conceal or cover up the misdeeds of
the members. Many of them have done
wrong, and we have no apology to offer or
excuse to make for them. They have dis
raced themselves, their families, and the
society of which they were members. It is
Notifying to think we had such characters
in our midst, and hope we are forever rid
of them.
While we admit that grave error have
been committed by brethren of the order,
we also claim that some OF the railway Of
ficials have done wrong. They are not
blameess by any means. They have not
only done wrong, but are still pursuing
course which, if persisted in, will ultimate
ly eliminate in conflict. We have been
credibly Informed that on some roads the Of
ficers will not employ an engineer or fireman
unless he signs al agreement not to join
any labor organization-which, in my judy
ment, only tends to antagonism, instead of
the lelations hptWeen the en-