Omaha daily bee., 1893-05-21
RAILWAY Employees.

Political Work THIS FAN.
A member of the Railway Employees club
has prepared a report Of a recent meeting
and asks THE BEE to publshit:
On Tuesday, May 16, delegates represent
ing thirty-five local branches of the Railway
Employees club Of Nebraska met in this city,
in the second annual convention of the state
executive board, for the election of officers
for the ensuing year and a general review
of the political situation from the employees
standpoint. The following delegates were
in attendance:
omaha-D. L. sturgis, +. r. Thornton, C. L..
Smith, II. Mccoy, 5. $. Smith, G. Il. Davidson,
4. Gavin, T. G. Ferrin, H.; Van Deusen, g. g.
johnson, Robert Larmer, f. L. Mullen, w. w.
Conklln, II. Knodell and Q. T.. Coombs.
Norfolk Robert Craft aud Z. Crotty,
Blalr-Alexander Cox.
Aurora-E. Sherlock
Fremont-o. Il. Lamberson.
Lincoln-W. G. Milligan.
Columbus. ". ". Wilson.
The balance OF local club representation
was arranged for by proxy on account of the
inability of many distant clubs to provide
for the attendance of delegates.
deep undercurrent of bitter resentment
was expressed towards those politicians,
who, after soliciting the support Of the club,
had deliberately broken faith with it, in
both the senate and house during the past
itSlSldbiNe StSStOHy anu IL was manifest
that, so far as the employees were concerned,
this duplicity would be made effective use Of
in future campaigns, and to the detriment
of some very ambitious Office seekers. To
the newness Of the railway employees organ
ization, and the inexperience of many of the
members in practical politics was ascribed
much Of the inefficiency Of the work done in
the last campaign, but no doubt was enter
tanned that these disadvantages would be
less and less perceptible in future work. and
be than Offset nv the kuONylpdpa Of
men and methods gained since the inception
OF the movement. Past campaigns had
been fought out on the ground that danger
threatened the interests of railway en-
ployes; future ones would recognize that it
had been met, and was only to be overcome
with the same weapon by which the blow
had been struck-votes. Where before
hesitation and doubt as to the policy to be
pursued had characterised many of the en-
ployes, there was now unanimity of sent-
ment that they had been treacherously dealt
with, and that they would hesitate at moth
ing honorable to regain lost ground, and pun
ish those who had been instrumental in
foisting class legislation upon the statute
books
There was no doubt in the minds of the
delegates that, so far as bringing any relief
to the overburdened farmer was concerned,
house roll 33 was already dismal failure,
before it mad even been given effect, but it's
vicious results were being felt daily by the
| employees, many of whom were affected by
| the attempt of the managements to curtail
| expenses to meet the lessened income that
| could be expected after July l.
There was no mincing of matters so far as
knowing friends from enemies during the
| late session of the legislature was con-
| cerned and it was unanimously resolved by
| the convention that the names of those men
| who had proven false to the confidence re-
| posed in them by the employees should be
sent to each local club to De by them placed
in the hands of every empioye in the state.
/ Thns finr MIA hal md
| Coward" upon certain legislators who voted
| against their own honest convictions and
expressed views prior to election, because
! of their unwillingness to face single ele-
| ment of their constituency, who warned them
that they would not be allowed to live and
| do business at their old homes if they voted
| against a radical rate measure. Such men
| were characterized as unworthy of the name
and unfit for the duty of legislator in a free
| country. Some OF these men hau been
elected by railway employe votes, and their
futures were, therefore, easily taken
| care of. 9~t
The political honor of the governor was
| likewise touched up, and it was the unani
nous sentiment that in so far as $4,000 in
dignant railway employees votes could dis
| pose of his well known aspirations for fur
| ther political preferment, he would be
handled without gloves. The employees were
man who before election had expressed
| himself as opposed to any Newberry bill
legislation because prejudicial TO the best
interests of the state at large, but who had
approved just such a rate measure on the
weak ground of its being good politics to do
SO. Good faith was not thing to be lightly
broken AID laughed off to suit the whim of
party leaders.
The following officers were elected for the
ensuing year: w. w. Conklin, Union Pa
cific Omaha, president: F. w. Smith, B. g.
M, Alliance first vice president; w. c.
Milligan, B. & M, Lincoln, second vice pres
ident; Robert Craft, Elkhorn, Norfolk,
third vice president; f. p Thornton, Pacific
Express, Omaha, fourth vice president; o.
f. Coombs, B. 81 M, Omaha, general secre-
tary; Robert Larmer, B. g. NJ, Omaha,
| treasurer.
Executive committee: G. l.. Smith, Union
Pacific; d. L. Stdrgis, Elkhorn Fl. Knodell,
| Union Pacific, Omaha; II. Knodell, Union
Pacific, Omaha state organizer.
The state organizer reported the club to
be in healthy condition, and the prospects
| for successful years work very bright.
The possibility of securing the next national
convention for Omaha, should it be convened
this year, was fully discussed. and the mat
ter left in the hands of the executive COM
| mittee.
After very harmonious session of four
hours, the convention adjourded subject to
| call.