The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1888-09-22

I J
differences. No organization Of
working men has more fully
studied he results of strikes, nor
more heroicalIy defended prln-
clples of justice and fair dealing.
This is not the occasion to enter
upon a discussion OF the losses and
gains of strikes. The Brother
hood of Locomotive Firemen is
rot striking organization, in
any odious sense of that term, and
III justification of this declaration
permit me to say that during the
existence of the brotherhood, now
almost fifteen years, it has been
engaged in but three strikes, that
on the 9. B. & @. system of rails
roads, and two others of minor
Importance, / have referred to
the growth of the order hom
clever men in 1878 to $1,000 IN
1888, and from one lodge to 3S5,
with lodges in all the provinces in
the dominion of Canada, and in
oil the states and territories of
our great republic, and vet there
has been but three strikes. not be-
cause there have not been multi
Piled grievances, but because the
brotherhood is animated by a
peaceful spirit always appealing
to arbitration as the better way to
settle grievances that from time
to tIme arise, and it was only
when the great G. b. & @. corpor-
alton denied every effort at arbi-
tratlon that on this system n strike
was ordered and is now going
forward.
1t Is not my ambition to recite
tho history Of that strike. / am
not required to d6claim how Il
great and prosperous corporation,
ia the space of SIX months, IN
millions of money has paid The
penalty of its injustice to employees
whose fidelity to It's interests. de-
manded different treatment. But
it may be asked. how has the
brotherhood deported itself dur
ing the trying ordeal? Let me
answer, that the banners Of tn.
brotherhood ale still waving ia
hopeful defiance, and IN anticipa-
ton of victory, and the men who
have ma'lc, and are still making,
sacrifices, exhibit an unwaveling
faith in the triumph of the right.
In surveying the field noihlng
comes into view sufficiently for
midable, in my opinion, TO arrest
the triumphant march Of the
br ltherhood. The futute pros
poets of the order are such as to
afford assurance of healthy prog
ress. i would be supreme folly
TO anticipate exemption from ills
lnclpent to all human enterprises.
The mission of our order is peace
on Garth, good VIII toward men,
but taught in the school Of ex-
perience, we know that storms aud
battles will come, putting to the
severest test the convictions OF
our membership aud the courage
OF conviction. We know that in
the past the brotherhood of Lo-
comotive Filem have been equal
to every emergency. II has
learned wisdom from its mistakes,
and the darkest days of its his
tory have been those winch i'm .
mediately preceded its grandrst
triumphs, United, harmonious
and trustful, the future prospects
of the. brotherhoo are such as to
furnish The most gratifying assur-
anccs of growth in numbers,
and influence.
One of the most significant signs
of the times Is the tendency of
labor TO organize. 1t would be
difficult to name trade the men,
hers of which have not formel an
organization for mutual protec-
ton, and IN the great orgaulza-
tion of knights OF Labor persons
are received other than skilled
workmen, | do not propose to
discuss the philosophy of this
tendency among workingmen to
organize, though I regard the
movement as cminentIy worthy
the attention of statesmen and the
students of political economy, But
referring to the great railroad en-
terprises of the times, it is inter-
esting to note the various organi-
cations of railway employees. and
to examine with special care the
purpose they have in view,
! shall not trespass upo1 your
patience beyond the time required
for the mention of such organi-
cations of rpiroad employes as
are connected with the running of
trains, engineers. firen.en, brake
men, switchmen and conductors.
The Hen engaged in these various