Las Vegas free press. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1891-1???, 1892-01-20
FROM A RAILROAD MAN.
Editor FREE PREss.

! EultOf FREE fHkSS.
Never having read anything in
your columns in behalf of the Rail-
road Man, I hope you will glvo me
space for feeble attempt to defend
class of men who are ofttimes un-
justly criticized, more particularly so
in Las Vegas than any other place
where l have ever resided, and my
travels have not been confined to the
territory of New Mexico. The
Railroader, as he is commonly term
ed, is not unlike other men in his
character, religious belief or actions
toward his fellow man, and beneath
the blue coat of the conductor, the
blouse of the engineer or the overalls
of the fireman, beats a heart as true
and honest as though it were covered
by the broadcloth of the ministry.
A young lady of Las Vegas was
once heard to make the following re-
mark: 81 can smell Railroad Man
through a brick wall" To say the
least, it was a very unladylike re-
mark to issue from one who obtains
the clothes she weals, the food she
eats and the gums she chews, in
directly from the labors of the ones
she abhors.
A prominent attorney was once
heard to say in his address to jury:
'The Railroad Man can be favorably
compared to the sailor, here to-day
and away tomorrow, with always an
eye open to see who they may con-
tract a debt with and leave him to
get his money the best way he can."
This in some cases may be true, but
who has made him wanderer?-the
usurer, who loans him a small amount
of money on his watch, or some
other good security, charges so per
cent interest, and if he fails to re-
deem on certain day, keeps the Sc
curity; the merchant who calls him
into his place of business, gives him
a cigar and nice smooth talk, sells
him some goods with the agreement
to pay for them at his convenience,
but before doing so has inquired into
the position the man holds, the salary
he draws and his chances of staying
here, if on drawing his salary he does
not take his check to this merchant,
whoever he may be, to have it cashed,
settle his bill and allow the merchant
to still keep him in his debt, gar
nlshment will be filed against him
falsely sworn to, his wages held un-
til other creditors become alarmed
and do likewise, the result-he loses
his position and must shit the road"
as it is commonly termed, and have
this stigma hang over him.
Merchants will band together for
protection and to keep up the price
of their wares, but if the poor Rail
road Man dares to say one word for
himself,at once the cry is raised, "He
Is trying to defraud his creditors; we
will push him to the wall"
Now to the people of Las Vegas l
will say: Deal more kindly with the
Railroad Man, for he is the entire
support of your town; he is of your
best citizens and has done a great
deal to make your town what it is to-
day, and what you are all proud OF,
and long may be continue to do so.
Now one word to the young ladies':
The Railroad Man is not what some
would picture hIm. The calling he
follows of necessity makes him brave,
the salary he earns makes him gener-
GUS, the lessons taught to him by a
loving mother, perhaps long since
dead, make him gentle; they make
loving husbands, kind fathers and,
last but not least, bountiful pro-
viders. Yours,
A RAILRoAn MAN.