Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-02-02
Sunday Work on the G. & o. Ry

AS there has been much said of late up
on the subject of the Sunday running oil
freight trains on the G. q o. Ry., will
give to the readers of your closely-read
paper come immediate facts, as ] have
been favored with copy of the petition
sent in by the freight locomotive engi
neers of the Middle Division, which reads
as follows:
STAUNToN, Dec. 9th, 1882.
e. f. Smith, Esq, Sup't East. DID,:
Dear Strive view with alarm and
great concern the many late fearful acct
dents that have occurred on this. the G. 4
o. BY, together with the great destruction
of property as well as the great loss Of
life; and as many OF these accidents have
occurred on or near the Saba day, We
greatly fear that if the practice of rim
ming other than livestock or perishable
freight trains is continued on the Sabbath
day, 1t will only be matter of time until
there are others OF our humber sacrificed
as ransom to atone for the wilful disre-
gard of the laws of God.
Therefore, with all due respect to you, and
your superior and subordinate officers, we,
the undersigned freight locomotive engl-
neers Of the Middle Division, are COMPEL
ed to say that we cannot consistently, in
justice to ourselves, with respect to our
families, and with that regard due an Ali
Wise Being. any longer serve you on the
Sabbath day. We are only too willing to
serve the company f. ON Mon lay morning
uutIl Sunday morning, (night included)
with all the vim and vigor that nature has
endowed us with. B 1T we know, with the
Sabbath days rest, our minds, and our
strength would be- in better condition to
endure the great responsibilities entrust-
ed to Our c.ie. Therefore, we hope you
will arrange with all those Interested, So
there will be 10 disappointment on and
after Sunday. December 31ss. 1882, and
greatly oblige your many undersigned,
Humble Servants
NAMES. NAMES.
The above was signed by all the Freight
Engineers on the Middle Division, and il
will be observed that they did not impa-
tieut;y refuse to run or Sunday, but said
they could not consistently do so, signify
ing that if they did run on Sunday, they
did 1t under protest. They want it dis
tinctly understood that they are a God
fearing and law abiding people; and 1t is
an undeniable fact that since December
31st there have been no trains, other than
live stock, running on Sunday u til Sun
day, January 2Sth, aid there never has
been four weeks since the road has beef:
in operation that it did as heavy freight
business, and with less accidents than il
did ia those four weeks; that is on week
days. And yet with all these prayers OF
the engineers, the ministers of the gospel
together with the good wishes of the pub
lie. the engineers have been compelled
to call at the Forem In 3 Office and sign d
paper that they are willing to run on Sun
day. or their lanes would be sent to Rich
mond, which would be equivalent 10
being ischarged from the service.
In fact, there were several Engineers
held off their engines, and were told by
the Foreman, r. Bremen, that they mus
sign the paper bef re they could go out
again, and the consequence Was that Sun
day, January the % Il, coal trains ran as
usual, the same as week day. But il
was noticed that MI. Robert Bremen and
family, together with other officials, at
tended church here, as all the officials gen.
orally do along the line, to worship that
God that they comp. lied tire Engineers to
deny Ard titus in "a free. Christian, civil
lied world, men are compelled to sign
away their birthright end their interest
IN the next world for situation that will
net them few paltTy dollars to keep the
wolf from the door of a loving wife and
promising children. and right in the face
OF the fact that when an Engineer starts
out en- the load with an engine, he his
family, or NO one else can tell what min
ute he may be snatched from time to eter-
nifty. All this in CIVILIZED, Christian
world, and in 1.-The land of the free and
the homc # the brave" What can be
the feelings of the officials Of the G. II o.
r w X thou oil in,
of God hearing his gospel preached. and
at the same time hearing the laundering
noise of monstrous Mogul engines with
heavy loaded coal cars, manned by men
whom they compelie,! to DENY their God.
IL has been frequently said, and there is
not the least doubt bat what it ia true,
that God hates a coward.
Thine always for the Right.
MOGUL