The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-08
MIR. ~~BRYAN'S PLEA FOR RAIL.
ROAD MEN

On February 21, 1898, there was a de-
bate in Congress on bill to compel rail
roads engaged in interstate commerce to
use on their cars coupers which would
protect the lives and limbs of their en-
ployes. There was opposition to the bill,
but William Jennings Bryan u,ged its
passage. He said:
II for one am willing to stay until this
session ends, because | think this bill
should be passed l believe it is dictated
by humanity, and am not willing, if I
can prevent it, that these men Shall be
Killed and manned just because some of
the railroads insists that they cannot
afford to put these couplers on their cars
The only objection that l have heard
made, the only real one in that letter of
Mr.. Haines' found on our desks this
morning, is that it would cost $75 a car.
or SIo,O0O,O0O. Some $4,000 persons have
been injured Those of us who have
associated with these men know that
there is scarcely one of them emploved
for any length of time in ralroading who
does not have hand off, or fingers off.
or loot oil, or is not MANNED in some
way, and we have had produced here
proof OF the startling number killed.
NOW ask, Mr. Speaker. does it not an .
peal to us, who are members of the only
IL,
States are powerless-does it not appeal
to us and our humanity to pass such
laws as will give protection to the lives
and limbs of these people?
Inc doctrine OF non-interference has
been invoked time and again, and often
In vain, to protect the individual from
trespasses upon its rights, and now, in
this latter day, the doctrine of non.inter-
ference is invoked when the corporations
OF this country seek to trample upon the
rights OF the people and to disregard
even the common duties they owe to hu
manity. L insist, Mr. Speaker, that we
VINO are IN favor OF this bill and in favor
OF giving to these poor people that pro-
lection which the laws of Congress alone
can give-I insist that we shall be as
Jealous in behalf of this bill as are those
on the other side who See fit to oppose il.
II do not question the motives but If
we can Keep this question in this position.
staying here night and day, the country
will notice it and public opinion will be
brought to bear upon it, and we are will
ing to trust to being sustained by public
opinion. The platforms of both the no
litical parties have declared in favor of
it; and, as has been we'll stated here to-
day, before the election bill was passed
here without II division. AT that time
VI i" ii''Ni Nl'ou Jul Sluc Ill;lnN
of those who oppose it now, or at least
their opposition was not then made
known.
Now we are supported by the plat
forms of both political parties, support
ed cy the almost unanimous sentiment of
the press, and supported, as believe by
the great sentiment OF the people of this
country, can afford to stand and fight
this battle Upon the one side are the
interests of these men and their protec.
ton, and upon the other the cost to the
railroads which this reform will impose
if it is carried out.
II ask, Mr.. Speaker, how can we meas
ure the value of human life? How can
you say that so, 100000 expanding in
equipping cars outwcighs 1000 people
Killed and % 600 manned. We NAV talk
this way about the lives of Others but
what if these were our sons or our
brothers? L ask any one of these gentle
men what price he would put upon the
lie or security of II relative? And how
dare we hold at trifiing price the lives
anu welfare of those not kin to us while
we hold as priceless boon the lives and
welfare of those to whom we are related
by blood?
Il appeal, Mr.. Speaker, to those who
are in favor of this bill to stand by our
rights here as majority and protect the
lives OF these people who plead to us for
their protection" (Applause.)
Don't forget everything in tha Dool-