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inevitably left out, from the fact that any engineer of ordinary intelligence can fill the place of a conductor, but there are very few conductors qualified to run and take care of a locomotive. However, there are many men running locomotives who are not qualified for the place. This seems in many cases to be owing to the desire of some railroad officials to man their engines with cheap men. By the way, this puts me in mind of a circumstance that occurred on one of the trunk lines many years ago. A certain gentleman took charge of one of the departments. He found that there were some engineers on the road who could not read and write, and suggested their dismissal to a fellow officer, but the fellow officer thought it would not be policy; he said though they could not read and write they could run engines very well, and the less a man knew the easier he would drive.

CARBONDALE, PA., April 8, 1878. MESSRS EDITORS: Thinking a few notes regarding the present condition of affairs in this vicinity would be of interest to the Brotherhood in general, we improve a few moments' leisure in narrating a few facts concerning the engineers in this vicinity.

We certainly have some of the best men that ever pulled a throttle, and all of them men of integrity and trustworthiness. D. Benscoter, W. Bingham, William Blake, George Fuller, D. Besecker, Peter Vandemark, Silas Vandemark, S. Fuller, S. Mills and S. Lingfelter, are among the more intelligent engineers in the valley, and since the thrilling accident at Melrose, which occasioned the death of an esteemed Brother, Patrick Riley, there has been a much stronger determination to fulfill every known duty. With superiors that are kind the work is not always laborious, and success must yet crown every effort. In the words of the poet,

When faint and weary toiling,

The sweat drops from my brow,

I soon shall rest from labor;

I drop the burden now.
The distance from Scranton to Nineveh,
which is the terminus of this division, is
said to be eighty-six miles; this includes
thirty miles of Erie road, and by doubling
they complete a full day.

The Locomotive Machine Works here are
under the direct supervision of Samuel H.
Dotterer, one of the finest mechanics in the
State. The engines are in capital repair.
With happy heart the engineer mounts his

Now, we do not want to belittle conductors or their occupation, but as Mr. Arthur said, we do like truth and honesty, and can see no reason why a class of men, though they be conductors, should take such a position in regard to strikes, for we know that at least seven-tenths of the conductors of the United States are depending on the amount of money appearing to their credit on the monthly pay rolls of their employers for the support of themselves and families. There must be some mystery connected with the matter why they should not feel and act just as engineers and other people do that depend on their wages for support, when oppressed. We have seen many strikes, and know that in most cases they result disastrously to men and compa-iron steed, starting away on time and perny; but in the name of Heaven, what are men to do when all other honorable means fail? To be plain in this matter, I firmly believe that the resolutions that some men pride themselves so much upon, condem-addicted to strong drink. The people look natory to strikes, would never have found a place in their constitution and by-laws had it been left to the men or conductors who depend on wages. In our opinion those resolutions were fabricated by men who have their hands in their employers' pockets up to their elbows, through motives of deception and dishonesty. Fraternally yours,

OLD TIMER.

forming his work with promptness. One
of the most important features connected
with our engineers is that they are temper-
ance men, and take no interest in persons

upon this as a noble trait, and believe it a
victory already gained.
The traveling
public are always contented when they can
be assured that such men as these are at the
lead, and will-unless by accident-con-
duct them safely to their destination. Their
Lodge room is furnished in passable style,
walls decorated with beautiful mottoes,
which is a fitting compliment to these pre-
eminent men, who by their conduct, both

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at home and abroad, have built up a repu tation which will endure so long as life lasts. DETECTIVE.

TERRELL, TEXAS, March 7, 1878. MESSRS. EDITORS: It is with much pleasure I read your very interesting JOURNAL. I enjoy additional gratification in seeing so much of temperance, the lever that now seems moving nations. I have ever been a lover of your noble Brotherhood, and must say, that with growing years my good opinion is not the least tarnished. I find no cause for infidel thoughts in regard to the noble combination of men whose very movement of the hand shakes the earth, mountain, hill and dale. I am glad to see that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers occupies such an honorable position in temperance and moral reform generally.

as they imagine them to be. We wish you and the excellent JOURNAL much success, and the Brotherhood the appreciation and esteem they so richly deserve.

VIC. REINHARDT,

Ed. Vidette.

MESSRS. EDITORS: I want to say to "Occasional," when you can find a man to send to the legislature that will get the nomination on his true moral worth (and not with whiskey and money), you may expect to be benefited by legislation, but not until then; for men that buy votes will sell themselves to those that have the most money, after they take their seats in Congress. I think there will have to be a great moral change before we can expect any benefit by legislation; for all political parties have become so corrupt that they seek only to gain position and gather all they can into their own coffers; they don't seem to care whether their actions benefit their country or their fellow men, or whether it injures them, only so they gain self-aggrandizement. If the working men would select some good, honest man for a candidate, that has never dabbled in politics until he has become so corrupt that neither the Republican or Democratic parties will support him any longer, they might possibly be benefited thereby.

I am aware that engineers as a class have never received the good name they so richly deserve. The commonality of human beings look upon locomotive engineers as a second-class in society, simply because they have never been been associated with them; because they have never witnessed the inborn nobility of a true and generous body of men; because they have never been conversant with the noble impulses and generous liberality which are the heartfruits of every true engineer. They forget that on the excursion, while traversing the country at enormous speed, they are preserved from the instant termination of life by the integrity of the engineer. They forget that sleepless vigilance of the engineer, which preserves them from wreck and ruin in the storm and thick darkness. They for. get that a single glance from the endless iron rail, a second's closing of the eyes for sleep, a single thought of revenge, might cause to be dashed into pieces every soul on a train. They forget all these things. They forget that the lives of all on board are at the command of the engineer. They forget that hundreds of engineers have given away life for the preservation of those who ride behind the steel-hoofed iron horse. But, I am truly glad to know the day isolating of God's laws that brings all of our coming when your noble band will receive more esteem than heretofore. People are beginning to see them as they are, and not

God has so ordered things that we cannot work just for our own personal welfare without doing injustice to others. God says: "Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness, and the rest shall be added unto you." I believe the entire ignoring of this command by the people has brought all of this depression of business and hard times upon us. God has given bountiful harvests and bestowed great gifts upon the people, and yet they murmur and complain because it is not more. But when have they returned thanks and praise for all these gifts that have been given them year after year? Is it any wonder that God stays his hand and withholds these blessings until the people begin to realize from whence they come? It is the vi

troubles upon us; so let us all try to keep within compass, and then we will be sure to avoid many trials that others endure. H.

SUMMIT CITY, March 26, 1878.

The Journal.

CLEVELAND, MAY, 1878.

THE FRENCH IDEA.

It is hardly safe to be skeptical now-a-days in regard to the announcement of any invention pertaining to railway operation, no matter how Still we would really like to novel and startling see in operation the latest French idea-that of reflecting a hundred miles of road by mirrors, to a great mirror at a central station, so that the movements of all trains can be seen at oncebefore we grow enthusiastic.-Railway Age.

If, in addition to the reflection of the hundred miles of road and the movement of trains, there could be added a system of mirrors that would reflect the doings of the management of our leading railway lines, we should not only grow enthusiastic, but a reform could be brought about that certainly is very much needed. The ways that are dark and the things that are vain that have transpired in the last few years in that direction have put the original "Heathen Chinee" to shame, and even the doers would blush to have them held up to the public gaze in a mirror. heartily endorse the French idea,

MESSRS EDITORS: I see by the last JOURNAL names of members who have been expelled for unbecoming conduct from their respective Divisions, which, I must admit, surprised me when I saw them, for I thought that after our troubles last summer, and the way they talked, that they would stand by the B. of L. E. and pay all assessments, no matter what the rest did. I am sorry that it is so, but still the B. of L. E. is better without them, for what we want is men that will stand by the Order when it is in trouble. The way I feel about it is this: I am glad we have found out who to depend upon in time of need. Of course, any man has the right to withdraw from the Order if he feel so disposed, but let him leave it like a man, let him pay up his back assessments and depart in peace. A man that will so far forget himself as to turn his back on an organization that has done the good for locomotive engineers that this has, besides the pledges that he has taken to stand by its constitution and by-laws, I say again, is no fit associate for any honest, upright man, and if they all felt as I do about it they would turn the cold shoulder to them; but as as long as the Brothers will take them by the hand and ask them to go in and take a cigar or drink, as it may be, with them, they will say, "Well, I haven't lost anything by being expelled; I have been the gainer. I have saved my assessments, and the boys seem to think as much of me as ever." Now, then, by the laws of the State of Ohio, if a man commits perjury, and he ls proven guilty, he is sent to State prison, which is right. I, for one, think that a man who will violate his obligation is no better, and I do not want to associate with him. Perhaps you and some of the Brothers may think I am rather severe on them, but I cannot help it; still I would say to our erring Brothers, if you will come up and pay your assessments and be men, I will take you by the hand and forget that you were ever expelled.

Now, Mr. Editor, I would like to say something in regard to our insurance, but time will not permit at present, but will speak of it hereafter.

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LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS' MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION. The following statement has been prepared to show the exact condition of each Division in the Insurance Association; the number of paying members; the amount each pays on assessments, and the cost of collection as shown on closing the account of Assessments Nos. 354, 355 and 356.

The discrepancy between the number of members and the amount paid by some of the Divisions, is accounted for by counting those who were members when one or more of these deaths occurred, but were not liable for all of them.

It must be borne in mind, in comparing the number reported now as compared with former report, that the members of the Association connected with the late trouble on the B. & M. and P. & R. Roads, are, by order of the Convention, carried on the books as members in good standing without the payment of assessments; hence our inability to show a dollar paid for each member heretofore reported.

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READ THE JOURNAL. A MECHANICAL WONDER. We are reliably informed that an engi- We have lately had the pleasure of exneer has recently been traveling through amining an extremely simple yet novel the West, having in his possession a travel arrangement of gearing, called the "Vering card purporting to be issued by Divi- tical Multiplier." It is an utter impossision 55, at Grafton, West Virginia. This bility to give anything like an intelligent Division has been defunct for more than description of this gearing in the limited two years, and the number has been trans-space at our command, for it must be seen ferred to Terrace Division, Utah, as a to be appreciated; but suffice it to say that glance at the JOURNAL would have shown it completely upsets the theory that has so any one interested. We have called atten- long remained unquestioned as to become tion time and again to the fact that there an axiom, viz: "What is gained in speed was but one way to keep informed of what is lost in power." was occurring from time to time in the We congratulate Mr. Fithian, the inBrotherhood, and that way was by sub-ventor, upon the results of his study, and scribing for and reading the JOURNAL. It trust that he may live to see his invention is the only way in which we can transmit brought into general use, and that from it intelligence of general interest to the mem- he may receive a substantial benefit. bership at large, and it is furnished at a price that easily brings it within the reach of all; and if any refuse to avail themselves of the means offered to inform themselves of matters that have a direct interest to them the fault is their own, and they should not complain if they become the victims of fraud and imposition.

CORRECT TIME.

There is probably no one connected with railroads, and especially with train service, but realizes how indispensably necessary it is to have correct time, and the feeling of uneasiness and insecurity that is engendered by carrying a watch that cannot be depended upon. By reference to the advertisement of Max Freund & Co., which appears on page 238 of this number, it will be seen that they make a specialty of accurate time-pieces and offer special inducements to buyers. We ask for them a fair trial by those who need anything in their line.

DONATIONS FOR MRS. MARKLE. Since our former report there has been received for the above mentioned purpose, one dollar ($1) from Pittsburgh Division, No. 50, and three dollars ($3) from Omaha Division, No. 183; total, four dollars ($4), which amount has been duly forwarded.

We are also reminded that we omitted to state in our report that Elmira Division, No. 41, donated three dollars ($3) to this fund, which omission we gladly rectify.

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. We are in receipt of the first annual report of this Bureau, and find it a volume of 355 pages, replete with valuable statistical information and carefully collected facts, which make it not only an interesting report, but one of great value, and demonstrates conclusively the wisdom of the act by which the Bureau was established. The Commissioner, H. J. Walls, Esq., has done himself great credit by the clear and concise manner in which the subject matter is handled.

[From the Dunellen Rock,] FURTHER TRIBULATION IN SPIRIT. of the first chapter of St. Rock are these precious From the twentieth to the thirty-seventh verse words, dearly beloved brethren:

20. And when they had returned from going up unto Francis, the mighty ruler, they sought the brethren at the 'Port; yea, even where they do leave the flaming chariots

21. And when the three had found their

brethren, they told them what manner of things Francis, the mighty, had spoken.

22. Then were those fifteen of the brethren which did not sign the parchment exceedingly glad and rejoiced with a loud voice, mocking at those which had put their names unto the writing.

23. And they said unto them, "Aha! ye did sign away thy freedom and thy Brotherhood for one hundred pieces of silver. Now, behold, we who signed them not away have both our freedom and our Brotherhood, and our one hundred pieces of silver. What think ye of this? Go dip thy heads into the pool that is without these gates, and be not faint thereat."

24. And the three score which had put their names upon the parchment became shame-faced and sorrowful. Nevertheless, said they unto the vaunting fifteen brethren:

25. "Chide us not thus, O flesh of our flesh

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