Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-23

Mr.. Arthur. the chief OF the Brother
hood Of Locomotive Engineers, has shown
himself well tittyd tor the delicate and
responsible position which he holds. He
has succeeded admirably in keeping
the Brotherhood free from labor troubles
When a difficulty arises between any of
the engineers and their employees he Crap
Piles with il in level headed sort of way
that generally results in a satisfactory
settlement.
His annual address is always well
worth reading. He treats mis- subject in
a manner that shows that he is a close
observer and a clear thinker. He talks to
the Brotherhood in common sense sort OF
way, and the advice he gives is, as rule,
sound and practical.
Since he has been chief his great aim
has been to elevate the engineers and
keep them out OF labor troubles. How
well he has succeeded the contented
condition of the Brotherhood and the
grievance record for the year show.
There are now twenty thousand mem
bers OF the Brotherhood, and for the
year which closed with the meeting Of the
convention there were only ten cases of
grievances in the settlement of which Mr.
Arthur's assistance was asked. In each
a satisfactory conclusion was reached.
In the course of his address Wednes-
day, speaking of the Brotherhood, he
said:
What we are and what we have accom-
plished is the result of long-contnued,
patient work. and IL nenOoves us To be eX-
tremely cautious now we interest our
selves where there is nothing to gain hut
everything to lose. Not until there is MOTH
ing more to be done for our Brotherhood
can we afford to become interested in
other things foreign to our order. We
have taken upon the adoption OF our
motto, "Sobriety, truth, justice and NOR
atty" a strong stand for right. Right
alone for itself and in itself considered
stands upon broad basis, and is the
only lasting foundation upon which a
man can build.
We sometimes boastinglY allude to our
rights; talk of the usurpation of our
rights. Silt the matter and what have
you. Our rights are limited to our neigh
boris wrong; beyond we may not GO.
Justice, however, steps in as mediator,
and demands wise adjustment of things,
that equity may be maintained and the
welfare of all promoted, whether 1t be
that Of the greatest or least. We have
no sympathy for nor cooperation with
any class or set of men who base theic
claims upon the principle that might is
right and the rich owe the poor a living.
No man has a right TO anything which
does not come to him through the channel
of honest requirement. lty0u would have
name, fame, or wealth, work for them.
Have an object IN life, let it be as exalted
as possible, and if backed by a strong de-
termination and honest endeAVOr, believe
me, you VIII attain 1t.
Much has been said and more written
concerning the antagonisn between capl-
tai and labor. TO my mind there is no
such thing. Between work and idleness
there has never been any feeling other
than antagonistic, and it is those of the
latter class who are attempting to poison
| the minds of the industrious.
There seems 10 be generally prevalent
| an idea that all capitalists are rich,
whereas the truth is that no great bust
ness enterprise is owned and controlled
| by one man, but by many, each contribu-
| ting something toward the mighty whole.
| 1 will venture to say that most men OF
thrifty, industrious habits are capitalists.
| When we consider that capital is only in
vested wealth, hope there is not one
among you, my hearers, but can count
himself a capitalist, be your pile ever SO
small.
The locomotive engineers are a remark
able body of men. Sober, steady, and, az
a rule, thrifty, intrusted with the lives OF
millions of their fellow beings annually
and fulfilling their trust faithfully, they
are admirable specimens OF genuine
American workingmen.