Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-10-26
RAILROAD MEN MEET.
Last Nights Enthusiastic Gathering
at Turner Hall.
An Independent Political Club Organ
ized--strong Address by George r..
starbird = Cube rnatOriaI Candidates
COntrasted in Palmer's Favor.

The meeting called at Turner hall last
evening, under the auspices of the Rail.
road Employees Independent political
club of Illinois, for the purpose of form
ing a branch club in Rock Island attract
ed large attendance of railroad men of
all classes-engineers. firemen, conduc>
tors, switchmen, brakemen, etc. The
meeting was called to order by J. o.
Logan. who, upon motion, was unani-
mously authorized to act as chairman.
Thomas A. Penders was elected secretary.
The chairman without preliminares IN.
troduced Bro. Fl. W. Smith, q member
OF the order Of Brotherhood of Locomo- |
tive Engineers, who stated that he was not |
public speaker, but was present as one of
the workers for the cause he represented
and it afforded him pleasure to introduce
Bro. Geo. E. Starbird, of the Switchmen's
Mutual Aid association who, was better
qualified to furnish an idea of the objects
of the meeting.
The speaker said there was a growing
feeling among the employees of Illinois
railroads, that they should combine to-
gether for independent political action in
az effort to obtain the recognition and
benefits of their interests that would &C
crue from wholesome legislstion.to which
their vast influential vote entities them.
As a means of securing to railroad men
their full rights as American citizens, of
which they are partially deprived by the
Merritt conspiracy act, it is pro-
posed, the speaker said, that an
organization be effected of all railroad
employees in the state. who are
actually interested in their own welfare,
to be termed the Railroad Employees as
sccistion. and having headquarters in
Chicago and branches in various parts of
the state. The Merritt conspiracy law
and the company emploYe act. the speak,
er went on TO say, deprive the hsrdwork>
ing railroad men of the rights that every
citizen is entitled to, and these conditions
can be remedied only by legal steps and
interference through the legislature.
Mr.. Starbird spoke at length on the
fact that committee of the Amalgamst
ed Association of Railroad Employees of
the state had been appointed to call upon
Gen. John NJ. Palmer and Joseph W. Fl,
fer, in order to ascertain what the rail-
road men of the state might expect from
them respectively, il elected. According
to that committees report, John NJ
Palmer was the first interviewed, snC
while making no pledges or prom
ises, he assured the gentlemen o.
the committee that if he should
be elected governor, they should have ,
hearing, and that he would give thei
grievances proper consideration. He
stated unhesitatingly that the Mer'
rift conspiracy law was an injustice t.
the laboring men and should be repealed
Speaking of the company employe act
Mr. Starbird quoted Mr.. Palmer's owl
language-'when an employee is injured
through the carelessness of another, the
company employing such person should
be held responsible to party injured, him
self being guilty of no fault producing
or contributing to produce the injury
and will approve and endorse such law
If elected"
Mr.. Filters opinion of this same &C
was: Gentlemen. not being familia
with the law, would ask if Mr.. Paine
has expressed his opinion on this partrc
ulsr question" Mr.. Palmer showed him
self TO be the lsbOring mans friend
every particular and gave the committe
good reason to believe that he would,
elected, exert himself in their behal
Mr.. Fifer appeared rather indifferel
and professedly ignorant OF what is
vital importance to the working man al
If elected is not likely to put forth al
effort to have repealed or modified tt
unjust laws that boar so harshly on Il
poor man.
After interviewing both men the cor
: mittee could not hesitate moment
declaring themselves in favor of supper
ing John NJ. Palmer the working man
friend, for governor of this great stal
The speaker exhibited certified col
from the secretary of state of the vote
the legislature 10 the Merritt consprat
law, and alluded to the fact that the fiji
name appearing as voting in OPPOSITE
to it was that OF State Senator Bell, vi
nominee for governor of this state on t
ticket with Gen Palmer. He discuss
the right of having practical rsilro
man on the board OF warehouse and ra
. with the injustice of the Merritt consp
acy law, the co-emploYe act and
p PinkertOns. He spoke of the chare
Y that had been made by the Chicago II
bune, that he and his associat
were hired in going about
state organizing political clubs. and
def1ed the proof that he or his 1850
ates received one cent of remunerati
from any political party for what Il
were doing. There was no party poll
cal significance attached to their miss
,- They were looking out wholly for the
terests of railroad men and not for
political party. 1t was the speakers b
mess in Rock Island to organize C
for railroad men and their friends, to
known as the Rock Island club of
r Railway Employees association and
object was to further the interests of
- working railroad men by assisting
place in office men who will be true
= their laboring constituents.
Steps were Immediately taken to
ganize club, John o, Logan being u
nomination elected chairman, and s.
Msyall secretary and treasurer. Fl
names were appended to the roll