Year: 1872

This body has been holding its annual
session in st. Louis during the present
week, and was largely attended. From
the address Of its Grand Chief we learn
it has a membership of 5000 that the
total recef ,ts for the year ending Oct. lst.,
we're Sl9, 4SS. IA, which added to the cash
on hand at same date, makes a total Of
$40, ,O62. .Os. The expenses have been SlS, +
6l3.21.


Referring to the objects Of the orgAniza-
ton the address says


About seventy deaths have been re-
ported by sub Divisions during the year.
/ am not able to give the causes Of death,
as only part reported the cause. really
hone that some arrangement will be made
that will insure a uniform system of report
ing all important details connected with
the deaths of our members The frequent
deaths that are occurring among our menu
bers, many uf them sudden and without
warning, should remind US all Of the un-
certainty of life, and induce US To live, and
So to arrange our affairs, both spiritual
and temporal, that, 50 far as possible, We
may be prepared to meet the hnal summons
whenever it may come. Engineers, above
all other classes of workmen, are liable to
sudden death The bills Of mortality do
not show larger per cent. Of deaths among
engineers than other classes of laborers,
but many of the deaths of engineers are
sudden. This fact should urge every ell
gineer 10 be prepared, not only with that
| preparation that will satisfy his conscience
a. regards the future, but with q prepara-
ton that will leave those dependent upo
him in 4 comfortable home they can call
their own.


Every workingman who spends, foolishly,
a dollar that belongs To his family, commits
a crime, and the thousands left IN want,
without protector or the means to live,
/ should be warning To the thoughtless,
and a stimulant that will surely nerve ev-
ery honest man to use his utmost endeav-
ors 70 prepare his household in the best
possible manner for his final departure from
earthly toll


1t is one Of the most commendable pro-
visions of our order to provide for the
widows and orphans Of deceased members
let us continue to assist the loved ones of
our departed Brothers, and cheer them on





perform a more sacred duty, or one that
will more surely hnd its reward.


My Brothers, there are several other
matters | intended to call your attention
to in this address. but fear your patience
is already exhausted, and | will defer dis
cussing other subjects until our Conven-
tion is fully organized.


In closing, | urge yOu, as delegates, rep
resenting numerous and wide spread
constituency, and as men having immense
responsibilities resting upon you, not only
for the veal or woe Of yourselves, and
those YOU represent, but for the best good
Of every person in the United States and
Canada, to lay aside all personal and local
preiudices, and unite as Brothers, with all
the ability God has given you, to devise
the hest means and measures to build up
and perpetuate a society that will be a last
ing honor to your name, and of inestima-
bic benefit to those that are to come after
YOU, and which, if successful, will add
immensely To the security, comfort and
certainty Of an uninterrupted system Of
travel and transportation for persons and
property from one end Of the country to the
other You should consider your duties here





the whole commercial world, and ! hope
that every individual member Of this Con
vention will So conduct himself in our
deliberations that it will be apparent that
he realizes his full share of responsibility
in shaping and settling the policy We are
to pursue, as an orgAnzatlon. IN the future.
Let every delegate realize that the eyes q
the whole railrOad interests of the country
are upon than. and that the public are
listening to and watching your conduct and
career, to give an impartial verdict Your
interests and your honor Is pledged 10 try
by every means in your P"wer 20 obtain a
verdict in your favor May you fully
realize the vast responsibilities q your
positions. and 50 act as tu meet the aPPro-
baton Of your friends. and DO justice to
the cause you represent