The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-20
ASWEEP OF CONDUCTORS.
WHOLESALE DIsMI5sALS BY THE
LOUISVILLE g. NASHVILLE.
About Forty-Five Men Fall Under Fire,
as is Supposed, From Professional
spot.ers-Is the Manner OF Proceed
ing Rlgat and JustP

There is weeping and xaling among
railroad conductors at this season OF the
year.
Some have been "fred," others are in
process of preparation for the slaughter.
and all are on the ragged edge.
A few days ago TIM APPEAL announced
the summary dismissal OF various and
sundry conductors on one of the leading
roads entering this city. This morning 1t
has further TO announce that q general
cleaning out has taken place on the Louis
vile & Nashville system. 1t is reported
that forty.five fell Saturday, under the
shock Of brief but pointed missiye. tho
meat Of which was something like this
"Your services are no longer required by
this company" There is no excuse given
for the dismissal, no reason volunteered
to the victim who is thus thrown upon
the field OF oilers without warning Tho
Louisville x Nashville system has a num-
Der OF branches and the sweep occurred
on about all OF them. On the Memphis
branch, the reporter was informed that
two only of the old staff were retained.
viz: Henry Bradley and Henry Cole.
These officials have no reason TO feel sale
from decapitation, except their own con-
sciousness OF having served the company
faithfully and honestly and would not DO
paralyzed from surprise If the signal to
leave flashed before their eyes.
This practice OF the railroad companies
is one outside judgments are unable -
comprehend. II is universally regarded
9 Us a gross outrage upon the men dis
a charged, or the ignoring OF regard by the
| II ~, Tor inatfnR and RIGHT
r the average man credits it with sharing.
The public invariably attributes the fall OF
conductors in this way TO discovery that
they are dishonest, in Withholding moneys
4 collected as fares, or otherwise flagrantly
swindling their employers. AS the ex-
q preston goes, "they have been knocking
a down., and spoilers have knocked them
out" Whether the explanation be cor
=, rect or not, il is the one universally
y, advanced and accepted, and tho deposed
officials are ever thereafter under cloud
N they have little or no chance to remove,
~ "Those methods are deserving OF Moth
70 ing but contempt from 1air-minded peo-
y ple," emphatically remarked a gentleman
who had cognizance OF their application
g many times to an APrEAL reporter yester-
lr day. "They place conductors at the mercy
OF a class OF men who, from the very ma
OF ture OF their calling are almost devoid oil
g principle. Mankind generally has very
little patience with spies, intormers, etc. IL
te isn't always the thief they make the VIC
b. tim OF their fatal report, but the man who
ne in any way incurs their disiavor. The
Isl manner OF dealing with their report by the
company gives them limitless and safe
er opportunity for getting even. Accused
~ individuals are given no chance TO defend
themselves, but are branded while bound
, hand and foot. They don't even
" know the fellows who have brought
~ about their discharge. There are
professional spoilers, just as Their,
Isl are professional detectives, and railroad
es companies know where to find them. IheI
nc turn up on an order, perform the service
expected rs pleases their own desire, re
he ceive their compensation aud are away
40 Then follows the sweeping Process, that
) all. In many cases thcye is no doubt PA
that the fellows lind and expose robberles
"a but rs rule their report isn't worth tn
Ii effort required TO make IL. They are jus
,er rs liable TO whitewash the conductor VIZ
is crooked and gets on the soft side OF then
M as they are to report wrong doing wlthou
he fear or favor They are also capable 9
no doing up a conductor who Is honest an
n faithful, yet does not please their iancy.
Would II not be better by far II, whe
49,, conductors or other employees are delecte
a in or suspected Of swindling, the employer
20; would let the law take its course, and CIV
III the opportunity for the accused to Wind
~" cate himself