The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-05
Letter from Guide Rod.
The Fditor OF The Times.

To the Editor of The Times
In looking back at the stand taken by the
late employees of the Locomotive and Machine
Works, and noting the kind and quality OF the
means used TO force the company to accept
their notions of shop management, the writer
is compelled 10 say in all truth that a more
unjust and unreasonable course could hardly
be imagined.
Is it not a fundamental law based upon the
commOnest understanding of human rights
that man or a body of men have a cOnstitu-
tional and natural right 10 conduct their bus
ness and apply such means and methods n
running their shops rs they think best; and
if the companys way does not suit the en-
ployes. these latter have the same constltu-
tlonal and natural right TO leave the service
Of such company.
In this case the employees saw fit 10 exercise
this right. and should have stopped right
there" Instead OF doing So what is the
spectacle shown this community during the
weeks that have rolled around since the men
left the employ of the company: They
have run through all the list Of
unjust and unreasonable practices that
the most self-seeking walking delegate could
suggest. They have wayaid for weeks
their fellow-workmen hooted, and yelled at
them, and called them the toUlest epthets
because they had the courage of their opin-
ions and kept at work IN accordance with
their own deliberate conclusions TO do what
seemed 10 them best IN the matter, and after
coercion and threatening the strikers have
gone so far as TO attack a man at has home.
Throwing rocks and smashing in bis door are
reported in the public prints Of this city.
All this for what: Why % force the COM
pany 10 take them back whether they want
them or not
What a shameful and degrading spectacle is
this, 10 see our fellOw-citizens stOop so low as
b thrust themselves upon a company WHOSE
service they have lett voluntarily and with
whom they have nothing more 10 do.
What Is the result A loss Of over $50, 900
in wages unpaid rent and grocery bills cloth
ing run down and worst OF all, the suffering
and heartaehe Of wives mothers and children
that are dependent on them for support.
Can il be possible, Mr. Editor that no light
of reason. no thought Of the fight for per
sonal liberty OF action" IN which our
forefathers shed their blood. have any
influence on the actions of these men, who
claim kinship 10 the heroes who gave US this
blessed and sacred right or is 1t LETT 70 them
as skilled mechanics Of grand old Virginia TO
place upon record the fact that II has been
reserved for them to trail in the dust" this
sacred and God-given right. No 1t can
not surely be-" 1T must not be"
"Retract your steps my dear friends
Give up this foolish and absurd notion. Try
10 do TO others what you would have them do
10 you, study again the Golden Rule and let
peace, prosperity and happiness once more
prevail; and by your intelligent action and
skilled work. make the Locomotive and Ma
chine Works the foremost shop III the country
for the production Of good work. the payment
OF good wages. and fair profit 10 the owners
With heart full of kindness 10 my fellow
workmen, l am truly yours, GUIDE ROD.