Morning journal and courier., 1893-09-09
RAILROAD MEN ADDRESSED.

A Graphic Picture Drawn by Temper ance Orator w. HI. Spear at a Gather ing of Railroad Employer. SAYBRooK, Sept. S.-Temperanoe Toiler W. H. Spear spoke to railroad men at town hall Wednesday night. His topic was Signals" In the course of his address he said: visited your railroad signal tower yesterday and watched the signal man as he manipulated those massive lev ers which control the safety block system. Before him was long row of levers. Some were painted red, few were green, and others were blue. noticed that when he opened certain levers it operated signal blades far down or cp the track. By these signals the movements of trains were regu- lated.
 Now, fast express comes tearing along the track, rocking from side to side, a liv- ing, surging pulsation; giant of steel and hardened timbers, propelled by the magic power of steam. The signal man, from his lofty tower, sees the approaching mass as it looms up far ahead.
 There is a clashing of levers, whirling of signals, and far up the track @ green signal blade shows, denoting that the main line of the block is clear. On oomes the waving mass. There is swirl of dust, a cloud of smoke, grinding of wheels, a | roaring sound in the air by which conver- | sation is drowned, and then the roaring diminishes, the sunshine breaks through the dust cloud, the smoke lifts, and ere the train is out of sight, the quick eye dis cerns that red flags or "markers" are Hut tering from the rear car.
 l Another train stands on the siding, but it moves not. When the fast express wenr dashing by, she sounded warning blsstl upon her whistle, and ere the echo hsi died out, the side-tfacked engines whistl, caught up the refrain and repeated the sig nal back.
 To the bystander there was nothing un usual in that footing of whistles, but to thu significance. It was the steam telegraph, signal code of the engineer of the fyin{ express to his brother engineer on the sid' track that another section was following his rapid flight with the same right of way and the reply signal was: "All right; sig nal understood; will keep clear of th' track"
 There was no time for oral instruction no opportunity for the interchange of chi rogrsphio messages. The whistle, as woke the echoes of the hillsides, performed It's purpose and made understood its sig nal.
 By and by another train comes in sight It is the second section of the express A it draws up to the station you notice tha its flying markers are green, and the rail road man knows that this is the rear of tn express which preceded 1t.
 There is the red signal of danger ant the green signal of safety. Sometimes tn signal man throws open black leve which operates the derail. But I noticed that whenever he operates this lever, h likewise opened blue one, which locke, the derail and insured its safety. Boys, this life of ours is great railroa, system. It has its main line, it's branche and it's eide tracks. It has its lookout and its signal towers and is governed by marvelously intricate block system. I has it's fast expresses, It's accommodation and slow freights. It has it's engineers it's brakemen and it's conductors. It ha it's stations, it's fagmen, it's starting point its functions and it's terminal station. l is not free from accidents. Neither Is void of pleasures. It has It's ticket rec ulations, and its rules governin free passes. It has it's president and sut ordinate officials. Its motive power | guided by human will. Its block signal are under the charge of the Almighty Each human soul is numbered among il . l rolling stock as soon as switched or at th starting station.
 By and by the train of humanity is mad up. It stops brief time at the station ( infancy and moves forward to that ( youth. Now it pauses at the great center of manhood and womanhoood. Makes longer pause at the junction of matrimon and then steams on to it's various stoppin places on the way toward the grand mt tropolis of happy old age and fnall reaches its terminal-the station eternity.
 Your train to day is rushing along b, der high pressure. You are passing life behind. You have entered the block manhood. Look well for your signal Are you color blind or are your ey. sharp and keena What's that signal fl, ing wonder! If by day it may be the re target; if by night the red light, both d. note danger on the track. Sound tn whistlel Down with the brakes! There danger aheadl
 "Oh, nonssnse," you say, "there's D danger. I've got my hand on tho thro tie. feel the quiver of the iron horse b. heath my feet I can look from the ca window and see clear track ahead.
 Continuing, the speaker pointed out th "dapger ahead" from moderate tippline enforcing the line of thought he had s happily begun, and in conclusion exhorte all to take the only safe road. The ai dress produced a marked impression 0 all as vivid and eloquent.