Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-09-06


 aid in their hour of need. He dispensed charity as he transacted business--in quiet and unassuming manner. Such man, friends and eo-laborers, was tbe late Jay Gould, whose fortune still remains invested in the properties he created and acquired and which continue to furnish employment to more men than any other system or sys- tens in this country. IT you Will but recall the condition of the railroads in this State less than twenty years ago, and contrast them with their present condition, you will certain ly accord his memory great praise instead 9f the harsh criticisms so frequently passed upon him by designing persons for selfish ends, If the man who conceiYes and exc cutes great public enterprises which furnish employment 10 thousands of men is not q better friend of labor than the demagogue, whose whole life is spent in trying to pull down what this man builds up. then, indeed, are charity, gratitude end chrishanity words of m .sn )mer used and applied in the l English language, It seems to me that this is the time and place to pay. in my feeble way, tribute of respect to a man who was in lifea laborer in every sense of the word and who, by that labor has made life better and easier for SO many thousands of Inen. To
 
 which has made it possible for the Cotton Belt to be elassed as first class in it's track equipment and appointment.
 The name and fame of this man are co-ex- tensiys with the civilized world, and they can no more be buried or past into oblivion than can the rocks the rivers and the rilis and spreading lands from sea to sea with which his nalne and fame are inseperahly associated.
 In conclusion. I desire again to express my heart-felt gratitude to the good citizens Of Pine Bluff, and to my co-employes for the cordiality of your joint invitation to come and mingle with you on this the day dedi- cated by many. if not all, of the States, to the honor and dignity of labor We are cer- tainly all made better. more sympathetic self-reiiant and charitable one toward the ther, by coming together here today and knowing each other better. It is peculiarly fitting that Pine Bluff was selected as your place of meeting, because here the people claim us as their own. Here sD many of you have homes; here lives. and have lived many of the most en. erprising and intellt- gent people in this or any other country Here lives the honered citizen who cham pisned the cause of this road in the legisla-  He it was who had passed law which enabled us to raise the necessary money Here lived and died that grand old man, Gen Cockril, whose voice and help i'll many ways encouraged us. Here, too. lives that bril- liant. fearless and just man, William Porter Grace, who has always stood as bulwark against the fanatieism of indiscreet and un- wise legislation attempted to be enacted against railroad corporations I might occu- py your time for hours giving the names of citizens living and dead who have rendered valuable aid and contributed money for shop and depot grounds, rig ht of way, and even in the construction of the shops themselves; but 1 am reminded that was invited to make only short address. and fear that your patience has already been tres passed upon. This day. to me, is the birth of hope and eonfidenee-hope that We shall continue to merit the respect and esteem Of our patrons. not only here in Pine Bluff. but in every section traversed by our various lines {; confidence in the good will and loyalty of our employees and i'll the determination to do every reasonable thing to merit it. Ithank you, one aud all, for the attention yOu have given me.