The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-30
THE CRY OF COERCION.
AN EMPLOyE or THE q. G u. FOR
TUENTY YEARS
Makes n. Manly Denial OF the Charge that
Employees Have Been
Coerccd'

The following has been sent TO the Rich
nond Dispatch FOR publication.
10 the Public.
1t has been stated In the papers of
Richmond ana on the Hastings, ny pubic
speakers. that the employees OF he Cnes-
apeake and Ohio railroad were being CO.
creed to vote against tho Chicago ticket.
These false statements have been written
ana spoken 50 often that. as an employee
OF SAID road, l cannot remain silent any
longer to Il charge that 1 know Is absO-
lutely incorrect.
Having been in the employ OF the Chos-
areake and Ohio railroad for twenty
years, 4 know personally every engineer.
fireman. brakeman, and conductor run
ming into Richmond. ana / have ques-
toned men here, Newport News. Char
iottesville. and Clifton FOrge-my busi-
ness often takes me to these points-and
/ have never convcrscd with u man yet
but what has denied that any coercion
has been attempted with them in any
manner during the number OF years That
/ have been connected with this ROAD.
We have passed through many exciting
political contests. and ! have never known
an official OF tho road. under the very
many different maragements, 10 question
"A man right 20 vote as he chose. Ih'lr
expressing 10 their employees their views
on "a question agItating the pubic MIND,
and in which We are all Interested. Is no
coercion except whore public men ana
papers opposed 10 their views choose 10
make ii 50, for personal or political mo-
tiNcs.
We have men who arc as pronounced In
thciE views on tho silver question as Mr..
Bryan, or any other frec-silVer advocate
ana / think them more honest in their
CONVICTION, for they are not oihce-setk-
cfs These men do not hesitate TO speak
right out before the public, or anywhere
else, and They do not fear coercion. / 90
not hesitate 10 say this, that II any m
dustry In Richmond or elsewhere hau
men who We're ass opposed TO their pusl-
ness interest as somo OF our men are
they would not tolerate them twenty-iour
hours. our men are Nirginians ana 90
not belong 10 the coercing kind.
Mr.. NJ. H.. Ingalls, in his public speeches,
has stated positively that no sucn meas
ure would be tolerated by the manage
mcnt of the road. Mr.. ingalls, Is the peer
az any man In Richmond or virginia.
lie has reputation moro extended with
the business " orid than most any man IN
the State. Could be afford 20 make such
statements about the matter unless they
We're truce
You also have the words Of such men
as COR assistant 10 the President, Mr.. Dc
c1Cur AXtoll; our General Manager, 4. W
Stevens: Superintendent C.E. Doyle, ana
Assistant Superintendent G. G. walker,
that no such thing as coercion has been
Thought Of. These men are men that any
city might be proud Of. and they certainly
command the respect and esteem OF all
men. wherever known. for their social,
business. and manly qualifications No
men are kinder or more considerate Of the
welfare of their employees than they.
During the entire financial depression OF
orr country they have never cut their en-
oloyecs' wages cent or missed Q pay
dav.
These statements have been made
and are still being made. 7 can see no
reason for so doing. except they think II
will bring 20 fhcir support a sympathetic
vote Now. whom any set of men have
TO adont such nc-.ircs as this 20 forward
their ends. the, 81 lat certainly be I'm the
last ditch
fSigned) ". j. PINFORD.