The true northerner., 1899-11-29


sion of eliminating facts, but do not
consider it TO be any of their business
to inform the authorities that the law
is being defied.
"The entire result Of this evasion of
responsibility on the part of those who
are responsible is demoralizing TO every
young man connected with the road.
The editor of The News recalls the
statement made by prominent rail-
road official in this city little while
ago that nearly every clerk in a certain
department of the road who understood
how large sums of money were made by
shrewd violations of the interstate COM
merce law was ready to admire the
shrewdness with which it was done and
declared that they would all do the
same thing if they were high enough in
railroad circles to attempt it. This was
actually said in one of the general Of
fees of great western railroad, TO the
authors knowledge.
''It is not necessary to say that such
a condition of business is destructive
to all the nobler and higher standards
of conduct, and no young man can live
in such an atmosphere of unpunished
dishonesty and lawlessness without
wrecking his character.
''In our Judgment, Mr.. Powers did
the only thing that "A Christian man
can do. He has rendered brave and use
full service TO the state and the general
public. 1t is not always an easy matter
TO determine the relations that exist be-
tween the individual citizen and his
fixed duty TO the public. In this case
there is no doubt in our mind that the
step which Mr.. Powers has taken COM
mends itself TO every man who believes
in law and its enforcement There are
times when the individual must act for
the people in ways that will mean sac
rifce and loss TO him of the gravest
character. Mr.. Powers will be misun-
derstood and misrepresented, but there
is no question that his course will be
approved by every citizen who wishes
TO see the greatest corporations as well
as the weakest individual subject TO the
same law. Mr.. Powers has done all that
a loyal, patriotic citizen could do. 1t
now remains for the commission to act
stand, is overwhelming proof of the
lawlessness of the L. and T. Let the
law be enforced, no matter who the
persons may be who have been guilty. "
Henry Maxwell finished reading and
dropped the paper.
must 30 ;iiit: see Powers. This Is
the result of his promise.
He rose, and as he was going out his
wife said:
"Do you think, Henry, that Jesus
would have done that ?"
Henry Maxwell paused moment.
Then he answered slowly:
"Yes; think he would. At any rate,
Powers has decided So and each one of
us who made the promise understands
that he is not deciding Jesus conduct
for any one else, only for himself. -
"How about his family? How will
Mrs Powers and Celia be likely to take
it2'
Every hard, have no doubt. That
will be Powers cross in this matter.
They will not understand his motive.
Henry Maxwell went out and walked
over so the next block, where the su
perintendent lived. To his relief, Pow
ers himself came TO the door.
The two men shook hands silently.
They instantly understood each other
without words There had never been
such bond of union between the min
ister and his parishioner.
"What are you going TO dor" Henry
Maxwell asked after they had talked
over the facts in the case and considered
them well.
lyon mean another position | have
no plans yet can go back to my old
work as telegraph operator. My fam
lily will not suffer except in a social
way. :"
Alexander Powers spoke calmly, if
sadly. Henry Maxwell did not need to
ask him how his wife and daughter
felt. He knew well enough that the SUI
perintendent had suffered deepest at
that point.
"There is one matter l wish you
would see to-, said Powers after
awhile, land that is the work begun al
the shops. So far as 1 know, the COM
pany VIII DOJ ODJeCb 10 IndI going TlBul
on. 1t is one of the contradictions OF
the railroad world that the Y. M. G. A.
and other Christian influences are en-.
, couraged by the roads, while all the
! time the most unChristian and lawles:
acts are being committed in the Official
management of the roads themselves
OF course it is understood that it pays
a railroad to have in its employ mer
who are temperate and honest and
: Christian. So / have no doubt the mas
ter mechanic will have the same cour
tesy extended to him that had in the
matter of the room and its uses. Bu'
what / want you to do, Mr.. Maxwell
, is to see that my plan is carried out
Will your You understand what the
idea was in general You made a very
favorable impression on the men. Gc
down there as often as you can. Ge
Milton Wright interested to provid,
; something for the furnishing and ex
, pense of the coffee plant and reading
tables. Will you do itf''
Eyes" replied Henry Maxwell. II,
staid a little longer. Before he wen
away he and the superintendent had |
A.