Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-26
THE wADLEY MONUMENT.
Statement from the Board of Directo
History of the Movement.

Statement from the Board OF DlrecboEs
History of the Movement.
In view of the protest circulated in
reference to the erection of a monument
to the memory of the late Colonel w. NJ.
Wadley by the employees of the Central
Railroad and Ocean Steamship Company,
the Board Of Directors of the Memorial
Association publish the following:
WADLEY MEMORIAL ASSOCIATIONS
SAVANNAH, July %, 1888. !
have been instructed by the Board OF
Directors to make the following state
ment: t. B. CATHERwOOD,
Secretary.
The attention of the Board Of Directors
of this Association, having been called TO
circular headed "a Protest" and sign
ed "Many Employees" the Board have
thought it but proper to publish the fol-
lowing explanation:
At a meeting of employees of the Central
Railroad and Ocean Steamship COmpa-
MES, held on June 18th, it was unanl-
mOusly resolved to form an association
having for its object the erection of a
monument to the late Col. VIM. NJ. W ad-
ley, a fellow employee, who had raised
himself solely by the force of his own IN
tellectual and moral worth from an hum
bic position in life to the Presidency OF
these great companies.
The idea found its origin in the desire
of many employees to place upon enduring
record their appreciation, not alone of his
great abilities, but of his kindly nature, a
nature which prompted him, even to the
moment of his sudden taking OIL, to a
warm personal interest in the welfare OF
all employees of the companies.
The matter was thoroughly discussed,
and the meeting did us the honor to elect
us directors to canvass the situation and
to take such steps as would most etfec-
tually carry out their wishes. Some of
us are officers Of the companies, but we
are assured that this fact had no weight
IN the matter of our selection, excepting
in so far as it might prove OF greater
benefit to the object in view.
We were especially instructed by a
resolution, unanimously adopted, to eX-
anime the question of cost of suitable
memorial, and to ascertain the number OF
employees and the probable amOunl which
would be required from each, and to issue
circular address to all employees en-
bodying this information. In obedience
to these instructions, on June 30, we is
sued a circular, which appeared in the
leading papers of the various communities
interested in the lines of this system,
and which was distributed amongst
the employees. The opening paragraph of
this circular states explicitly that it was
issued by authority of the meeting of
employees. The idea that any employee is
assessed against his will is entirely un-
warranted By the language of the circu-
lar, and could find its origin only in a
willful or malicious misconstructiOn
of very plain language. Examining
the paragraphs seriatim, we find
First. An expression of opinion, which
the association has the right to reject if it
so pleases.
Second. A statement of probable cost.
Third. A statement of probable cost to
each emplOye, should our views be adop-
ted.
Fourth. Reasons for statements two
and three, and explicitly acknowledging the
right of eUerg enlptOye to gtUe or not TO gre,
as he may feel disposed.
Fifth. A suggestion to each member of
the Board of Directors as to his mode of
procedure.
The closing paragraph emphasizes the
voluntary idea. 1t would be matter of
considerable difficulty to state the ques-
ton in palmer or more explicit terms.
Indeed, should the subscriptions be OBJ
tanned by even mild form of coercion
the distinguishing merit of the undertake
ing would be lost, and it would no longer
be a free-will offering from those who
seek to honor the memory of one who so
grandly illustrated and dignitied the
cause of labor.
Bearing these facts in mind-facts rein
forced by liberal subscriptions from all
quarters-the Board of Directors are at
loss to understand the animus which ac-
tuated the malicious document already
noticed To refresh the memories of those
interested, we beg to republish the circu-
lar of June 30th.
WILLIAM ROGERS, President.
G. NJ. SORREL, Vice President.
Savannah-T. NJ. Cunningham, ID. d.
Arden, j. z. Mcintyre, f. Deyine, B.
Donovan, 5. j. Whitesides.
MacOn-W. f. Shellman, A. G. Knapp,
w. NJ Stevens, A. w. Gibson, II. d. r.
Hembrie.
Atlanta-R. Schmidt, D. W. Appler, L.
p. Grant.
Augusta. w. Green, j. B. Preston,
John Mccain, j. n. Bass.
Columbus-W. L. Clark, ]. NJ. Frazer.
MontgOmery-Cecil Gabbett, w. II. Will
liams.
Albany. A. Davis.
Opelika-E. A. Flewellyn.
Newnan-GeOrge Jones.
New YOrk-Henry YOnge, Jr.
Attest: T. b. CATHERwOoD, Secretary,