The Labor enquirer., 1886-05-08

whose positions can at any time be filled
for less monev, and longer hours if nee
essarY, by cucumber pumps.
Yes. Jay Gould is an honorable man,
and monopoly reads him lust one. He
knows exactly how to confer a favor,
and has never rendered a kindness
made nugatory by the ma nner in which
he has bestowed it. He has always been
to the poor a friend, and in all his ex-
perience has never insulted the pride Of
anyone by his manner of comforting
favors, or responded to the Just demands
of those who have placed confidence in
him, or the enterprises of which he has
or ever had control Nor was he ever
prone to scan the motives when favors
were conferred or refused, the latter
often giving him more pain than the
former And in the happiness he has
80 freely scattered around him, it is a
matter ofrecord that he has never lost
sight of the fact that really good man
had rather be deceived than be suspi-
cious or unjust; had rather forego his
own rights than run the risk of dong a
wrong to another, that there is no duty
we'll performed without its measure of
Justice and charity, and that with him
duty has been and will ever be the
power rising with him in the morning
and going to rest with him at night.
That Is co-extensive with the action of
his intelligence. 1t is tho shadow which
cleaves to him, go where he will, and
will only leave him when be leaves the
light of life.
And when his disrobed spirit
Scars to realms of light above,
He will say, "Dear Father, love me,
Fen as 1 have shown my love-"
Can it be possible? Is this true of
Mr.. Gould? Have l wronged him in
holding other views, in expressing other
opinions of him? Does labor, in its
efforts to free itself from his dictation,
acc unwisely? Is he now or was he
ever an "oppressor of his employees p"
Let US see.
On March 20, 1871, there was intro
duced into the proceedings of the legls-
lature of New York state, by one of its
members, Mr.. Goodrich, the following :
Whereas, Jay Gould and James Fisk,
Jr., secured their election as dire ctors of
the Erie Railway company, in October,
1867 at which time the stock of the said
company amounted to about $24, 100000,
and its funded debt to about $lS,OOO,O 900 !;
and,
Whereas, Said person. have since
that time secur ed the absolute direction
and control of said company, and have
increased its stock to $S3, 100000, during
which time, although the rec eipts of
said road have exceeded its expendi-
lures, no dividends have been made
upon us SCOCK anu,
Whereas, By the influence of said
| directors, an act of the legislature was
passed in 1870, which prevents their re-
moval or suspension from Office except
by an action to be brought by the attor-
ney general, in the name of the people !;
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the manner in which
these two officers have treated a great
trust is without parallel for wickedness
in the history of t'is country they
have used their official position and the
means of the company to secure their
private fortunes they have wasted the
substance of the widows and orphans :;
they have expended vast sums of money
they were bound to protect in litigation,
which resulted from their own wrongful
acts they have brought discredit upon
our securities, both at home and abroad,
and have made it well-nigh impossible
to enlist foreign capital in the develop
ment of American enterprises, no matter
how Importa Mt , they have successfully
beset the halls of the legislature for The
passage of N easures the object of which
was to protect them from punishment
and to continue them in power they
have debauched public sentiment and
defantly set at naught the principles
which govern honorable men in their
discharge Of judiciary trusts.
Resolved, That their longer continu
ance in the Office they have 80 shame
fully disgraced would be ruinous to the
interests of said company, an insult to
the community aud an example of sue
cessful villainY which should not be
presented to the youth of our nation.
Resolved, That the attorney general
be directed forthwith to commence an
action in the name of the people Of thi
state for the removal of Jay Gould and
James Fisk, Jr, from the Offices of dj-
rectors of the Erie Railway co'npauV.
Now, reader of this ar icle, judge for
Yourself. This Is the same jaw Gould,
the noble character some journals and
some people would have you believe is
not &C Oppressive" or in any way uni Just in
his dealings with his fellow men in gen
eral, and labor in particular, and whose
every act, whether public or private,
will bear the light of day. Do you be-
believe it? If you do, remember the
facts still remain the same, and whether
you accept him for what he is not, or re-
ject him for what he is, the wrongs he