New-York tribune., 1884-02-03
SUNDAY RAILROAD TRAINS.

To the EdttOr Of The Trt6HHe.
SIR: At the recent stockholders meeting OF
Of the Con 3oldacd road held mt NewHayen was read
letter in which MI II. b. Ledyard, president OF tina
Michigan Central addressing the Editor Of The Rol1cay
4qe makes most able and earnest plea for the
pension Of Sunday trains In one paragraph he admits
that IN these days of sharp competition, time h be-
come such an important element that If one railroad
company should voluntarily Is traffic for one day
in the week. while Others continue. II would lose largely
thereby But tic next two sentences OF the leer read
IA follows:
Yet for example were each OF the trunk lines to abso
uteiy refuse exchange traffic OF any kind with their
connections from p N. Saturday until Monday morn
ing It would he simple matter FOR these trunk lines as
wen for their western connections to 50 arrange the
movement Of traffic as 10 practically do away with sun
,lly trains. There is no question to the de-
STABILITY Of prohibiting Sunday work on railways.
Mr. Lcdyard then shows that the accomplishment Of
such rofOrm is far practicable than 1t could
have been formerly. owing 10 the grouping of railway
corporations all the country INTO associations for
the exchange traffic, maintenance Of rates and tho
better carrying out OF agreements" He adds:
II these companies together short notice 10
arrange for any and all questions of mutual interest It
would a simple matter, were this question o. sunday
work properly considered. to bring about reform IN the
same.
Ihave be fore ne printed order dated Louisville, April
TO- 1883 sent out by b. II. Young, president Of the
Louisville, New-Albany and Chicago Railway. directing
that 40 possible work bc done or trains be run
upon the sabbath day" lie prohibits Sunday ex-
trains, atnOuEn INC purpose DO 20
passengers to camp meetings In letter which no
writes explaining this order President Young makes the
lowing points:
l. That a Sunday rest ia necessary TO a proper and
faithful discharge OF duties which deNoye ON railway
employees.
p That Sunday working teaches a disregard OF re-
ligton. which disregard IS u danger 10 society.
g. That railway property most dcenceess before the
mob who taught by sunday breaking TO desQise
all laws.
T. That Sunday work on the railways compes thou
sands TO violate their cOnscences and 50 dcmolae
themselves aud society.
D. That family men the safest for any occupation
support and moral maintenance OF a Ialmy
demand Sunday at home for the father -,
g. That question OF dollars ana cents i sllaA
matter I'm comparison with these moral considerations
submit that It il u hopeful sign OF the times when
proninent railway officials, with their clear and level
heads can be found expressing and putting into eXeo-
tion suci wise and Christian ideas As these There Is
uecd os wide agtaton Of such sentiments before any
general Improvement be elected IL Is estimated
mat there are a. least million men employed IN this
nuntry on railways They entitled u their sabbath
rest even a. others; yea large proportion oi them nave
10 work 36j days Of every year.
Without any cant II will be conceded that the oD-
soaucr Of the sabbath day or rest Is necessity,
ot an Ia the physical constitution or the race Dui also
ITO, oy y,CtnIi9p W. of ur religions institutions We
cannot AS nation AFFORD to gcct OF dcspsc the 70
ouirrments of the divine law concerning the SaDDath
auy more han we afford TO disregard or d,ODey n.
dictates of the same law concerning THEFT Ug adleyO
murder The safeguards O the sabbath nave Deen "
lntc wears diminishing in number and strength. HS
time 10 cali n halt To this tendency Of things
Milford, Conn, Jan. H. loSl o.