CORRESPONDENCE. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. Do not wait till the last moment to write up your monthly letter. Send it in at any time, the sooner after you read this the better. The first opportunity you have is the best time. HUNTINGTON, OREGON, August 21, 1887. Editor Magazine: Since my last letter very little has occurred in this quiet burg to make note of. Nearly all of us old Union Pacific men walked up and got our O. R. & N. check on the 17th, and I guess it did us about as much good as the Union Pacific checks used to. The Union Pacific "pay wagon" has not made its appearance yet and it won't draw a very big crowd when it does come. Mr. C. C. Hobart, our Master Mechanic of the O. R. & N., resigned and his place is now occupied by Mr. H. N. Webber, who took charge August 15. Mr. Hobart left many friends along the O. R. & N., and Mr. Webber has the reputation of being a good man, so he will find plenty of friends to swell the list of those who already know him. Quite a lot of Mongolians have passed through here lately on their way to work on the Idaho Central, near Boise City, so that is to be a pig-tail road also. Local Assembly 4453 have done but little the past two weeks on account of no hall to assemble in. The only hall here is one owned by the O. C. Co. who rent it to the A. F. & A. M. for $25 per month. They in turn charge the Knights of Labor $12.50 to use it twice per month. The rent was more than this little assembly careed to pay and so we will lay on our oars awhile until we can do better. Road men are making good time now, several crews having already made more than thirty days. All the railroad shop and car men are making full time and some to spare, so there is no cause for complaint. The cut of wipers' pay from the Union Pacific price of $2.00 per day to the O. R. & N. price of $1.85 per day has been restored to $2.00, so the "knights of the waste-box" are happy. Henry Johnson, our car foreman, is still on deck with more business than a grave-digger. We are glad to state that the story which was circulated here that Brother John McKenzie had killed a man near Butte City, Montana, was utterly false. "Pat" Madden, one of our passenger firemen of the O. S. L., will take a lay-off soon and visit his home in Wisconsin. Joe Hartle is building a neat residence on the Hill. He has a fine location and his new house looks well and is a great improvement to that part of town. Mc. THE DALLES, Oregon, Aug. 20, 1887. Editor Magazine: This being the first correspondence from this part of the Union Pacific system it probably would be well to give location and capacity of these shops. The Dalles being situated on the main line of the O. R. & N. having for a number of years had possession of the principal shops of this road, it has even in dull times put on an air of prosperity without any great effort on its own part to be a creator or producer of wealth. It owes its existence to trade only. A brewery and a little planing mill I believe, are the only manufacturing concerns run by its citizens The planing mill being principally owned by shopmen. I will here say that the near future promises considerable display of enterprise in the form of a Lumbering and Flume Company, the flume to be fourteen miles long. The Dalles shops consist of sufficient woodworking machinery and shopmen that when necessity calls for it, to turn out from three to four cars a day. Ten lathes, including driver and axle lathe, one car wheel boring machine, two planers, two shapers, drill presses, bolt cutters and other necessary tools in proportion. This being at present under the care of C. C. Hobart as master mechanic; but he having resigned, to take effect the fifteenth, leaves us in ignorance as regards the future managemenr; although there are some rumors to the effect that Mr. Webber, division master mechanic at La Grande, is to take charge. To judge by those that seem to know him he would give satisfaction both to the road and employes. Under the present circumstances the balance of the bosses and men naturally feel a little unsettled, as there is danger of this resigning becoming epidemic ever since Mr. Potter went over this road, in spite of our shop phrenologist's declaration about Pctter's bump of justice and right being well developed To give the new master mechanic a clear track, Albright, the boss boiler-maker has also resigned. Some of the boys are thinking of adopting the same term whenever they are going to "git." Jake Whitle had a mishap lately on his regular evening trip on horseback to his country residence; his saddle slipped. He has been laid up several days. He says, "I was only hurt internally," but that does not make our sympathy any the less. Tom McCarthy has gone to the Blue Mountains for an airing and a look at the fine scenery; he is our shop photographer also. We all wish him and his wife a good time. Engine No. 23 is being fitted out with new crank pins and solid end side rods; the only engine with them on this road and probably the best one. This being a Navigation Company also, we have on the river beach a steamer for repair, being under the efficient care of P. De Huff, which is a guarantee for it being well done. A few of our citizens are expected soon to put on an opposition line of boats from here to Portland. A number of the boys have been doing good work for the MAGAZINE lately. I am told that you can expect an addition to your former list of subscribers at this place of a hundred or probably more. As for the order; ever since the lease took effect, we have had the experience of quite a revival, most of the men in the shop belong to it; those that do not, with a very few exceptions, are either men that are not wanted or they are considering the matter. The attendance at meetings is not as good as it ought to be, probably on account of hot weather, although improv. ing. Those members that were in arrears here nearly all paid up, and as we are now members of your District Assembly I can assure you we are aware of our duties as well as our rigths. RALLY. JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, Aug. 5, 1887. Editor Magazine: Feeling that a word from our "sunny land" might be of interest to the many readers of your Magazine, which is doing so much to aid in the noble struggle in which we are engaged, I shall endeavor to give a few jottings as they may present themselves to my mind. rapid strides and power for good New assemblies Our order is advancing with is already recognized as a throughout our entire state. are constantly springing into existance, ready to stand shoulder to shoulder in this great cause of all mankind, organized and equipped for the great struggle to elevate the laboring class. We are right and the world knows it and is on our side. July fourth was a glorious day with us and the order acquitted itself in a most elaborate manner. The procession was the largest ever witwessed by the people of this state and the orations by such gifted orators as Senators Mallery and Mann were overflowing with noble utterances and patriotic words. Such celebrations of our National Birthday are well calculated to keep fresh in the memory of the young of our boundless country the principles and actions of our forefathers, who bled and died that this country might live and that we and our posterity might enjoy all the benefits of a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Our State Assembly convenes on the fifteenth of this month and from present indications will be a large and able body. We have recently procured an official organ which will, we are confident, do much for our benefit. Wishing you success in your every undertaking for the upbuilding of our great brotherhood, I am, Yours truly, J. W. WHITE. SALINA, KANSAS, August 21, 1887. Editor Magazine: Before entering into a declaration I would most respectfully ask to be pardoned for not be⚫ing more prompt in sending in the general news on this part of our line. Well, for the past two or three months the heat has been almost unbcarable; a continuous heat, the nights even uncomfortable for to rest the human body. The ink in some few instances dryed on the pen before it could reach the paper. Thank God it is better now, lots of rain, windy weather and cool. Our Local Assembly is holding fast as you will see by the last report. Of course as in good gardening, the weeds must be raked out and kept out, otherwise you cannot raise anything worth having. I am glad to inform the readers of the Official Organ of District Assembly No. 82, that Local Assembly 3005 is on a solid foundation. Since my last letter I have tried to get more patrons to the Magazine but with no luck, but have the promise, in the near future, of a fair list. Times are, as a common saying, fair, considering the dry spell, and not an average crop of anything except oats and potatoes. Our new railroads, the Chicago & Rock Island and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, are mending their tracks this way, and before winter they will run trains in here and whoop things up generally. Our noble District Master Workman Thomas Neasham honored us with a visit on the 10th inst., and am very sorry that we did not know anything of his coming; only one hour before the train arrived did I know of him coming, therefore this Local Assembly could not receive him in a better manner than we did, and on the evening we could not get our sanctuary room, therefore we congregated in the City Council chamber and made the best we could considering the intense heat, which seemed to affect Brother Neasham to a great extent. We showed our visiting District Master Workman all about our young city and he seemed well impressed with its natural beauty and its prospects in the future. We hope we will have better accommodations when he visits us next time. I attended a social of Local Assembly 9044 at Solomon City on last Friday evening, August 19, and found that the above assembly is in good running order and composed, to a great extent, of farmers (the same as we are taking in now), and the well-to-do ones in particular, so I dare say that L. A. 9044 is composed of nearly all Union Pacific employes and farmers, That assembly has not joined either State or District and I was invited to attend their meeting next Saturday night and explain and advise which is the best to join for their health. I must say we had a very pleasant time. After speaking we adjourned to the dance hall and partook of a bountiful supper and danced to the small hours of the next morning. I think that L. A. 9044 is fit for our District Assembly 82, as they are all wide awake members. I shall report to you my next visit and all about it. Brother Neasham promised us some documents for instruction, regarding the press generally throughout the land falsifying and misstating every expression of our noble General Master Workman T. V. Powderly. This is our greatest enemy to the cause now. This State Assembly has had their meeting and I will here say one thing in regard to the installation of the officers of the State Assembly of Kansas, from the Labor Chieftain of August 19, 1887: "Installation of officers was then declared in the order of business, and the officers took their respective places. While in this position a pledge of total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors was read, and each-with one exception-expressed his assent to the same by raising his right hand." Now all but one agree on the point of Prohibition, but are they not all Knights of Labor? This State Assembly has been framed principally by material of that kind, disregarding the true principles which founded our noble order. There is discord and discontent everywhere whenever you tread on the individual liberty of a true Knight of Labor. How can a member of the Knights of Labor be true to his obligation when fanatics extract an oath from him to do something which he knows he cannot abstain from? I love and respect a natural tetolaler, but have no use for a prohibitionist. what I am talking about and have the experience here. If we will have to administer an oath first to make a Knight of Labor good then I think we commence at the wrong end. This movement will, in course of time, be an injury to our noble order, and it is felt all over the States where such a fraud, as Prohibition is, exists. It brings every true citizen of this nation in a very questionable position. I know Our District Assembly 82 numbers ten to one of our State Assembly and we do not swear to a bare-faced lie either. Hoping we will have all the prosperity in our District Assembly which the Supreme Ruler can bestow upon us. I have never seen any answer to District Assembly insurance system? Our Local Assembly celebrated the Fourth of July by a basket picnic and had a very pleasant time which gave new life of our National Birthday to this community. Ellis and Brookville did the same. 3005. OMAHA, NEB., August 22, 1887. Editor Magazine: The air here is full of rumors, but how much is true is hard to say, but nearly every day some prediction comes true. D. D. Davis, the freight auditor, has stepped down and out. I am informed Mr. Davis intends to go farming. Several other offcials have also resigned during this month, but no change has been made as yet in the motive power department. Work in the shops is brisk just now. They have commenced to build a new engine, which is the first for some time, as all new work had been stopped. For some cause or other they seem to have quite a hard time to keep good machinists here, as they are coming and going all the time; some only stay a day or so, which gives the shop a kind of tramps rest appearance, much to the disgust of the old employes. There has been one new man hired in the foundry this month, the first for over a year, which is quite encouraging to the moulders. The car cleaners have all been transferred from Omaha to Council Bluffs. and the cleaning, I am informed, has been let by contract to a man from Chicago. C. Editor Magazine: LARAMIE, Aug. 22, 1887. After an absence of six weeks we are again back amidst the noise and bustle of the machine shops. We find everything looking as natural as when we left, except the engines which were on the pitts are gone and others in their places. Work seems to be as plentiful, with no larger force of men. The work seems to go on under the new foreman and bosses as it did before. Business on the road keeps very good and in consequence the company at this point is short of motive power and the engines are run to the full capacity and cannot have the Wheels are sometimes repairs done to them. mended. Work in town is plenty, with plenty of laborers to do it. The glass works and the soda works approach completion and both are expected to be in running order in about a month. Α company has been organized, and I am told the contract let, to build a flouring mill, also a concentrated lye works. The University is about ready and is to be opened the first Monday in September. Houses are being built in every portion of the town. The Albany County bank will soon be ready for occupancy and two or three new stores are nearly completed. The ontlying country is being more fully occupied; so much so that herds of cattle and flocks of sheep will very soon have to move further back for want of range. The long talked-of, long looked-for and often prophesied railroad has not arrived yet, nor do we hear of any prospecting or surveying party being out looking for the most feasible course to take. The meetings of the assembly a re very well attended and consideraqle interest is manifested. J. H. DENVER, Colo., Aug. 26, 1887: Editor Magazine: If one were to judge by the newspaper reports that have been sent out from here the past few weeks, Denver has been in a lively condition and in immediate danger of an Indian invasion, and that the citizens were mostly engaged in getting firearms in shape so as to be prepared for the worst. If something of this kind would happen it might break the present monotony and we might have to report a lively time. The Governor has sent a carload or two of Colonels, Majors and Generals, etc., and a few privates into the mountains to assist in arresting two Indians for stealing horses. They are with Colorow, the Ute chief. It is reported that Colorow has asked the government for a cannon, and that the officials sent back to learn what he wanted of it and if he wanted it to kill soldiers, but he said he wanted it to shoot cowboys with; kill soldiers with clubs. We have several sad accidents to report. On the 20th Mrs. Reily, an old lady 85 years old, was run over and killed in the K. P. yard; she was supposed to have been on the tracks picking up coal. On the 23rd Bro. Samuel Martin, an employe in the Car Department and a man over 60 years old, fell from the top of a car and broke his hip. He was taken to the hospital, but his great agewill be against his speedy recovery. On the eve of the 28th there was another sad accident in which P. Masterson, an engineer who has run between here and Sterling, lost his life. There was on the afternoon of the 24th the heaviest rainstorm seen here for a long time; the creeks all running high. The express which leaves here at 9:40 p. m. over the Julesburg was taken out by Engineer Masterson and engine 702. When it reached Sand Creek, just out of the city limits, the flood had undermined the dump at the east end of the bridge and the engine and baggage car went through into the torrent, where at this writing they still lie. The engineer was either carried down the current or his body now lies under the engine, which lies partially buried in the sand. The fireman, Smith, was very badly injured. He was knocked insensible, but his body caught on the bank, where he was found in time to prevent the current from carrying him down. A young man by the name of Ceander, who was riding on the platform of the baggage car, was also killed. The bridge was repaired so as to enable trains to pass in a few hours. The steam wrecking der. rick stationed at Cheyenne has been brought here to raise the engine. The train was moving very slow at the time of the accident or there would have been another Chatsworth horror to report. The shops are full of engines wanting repairs as well as the yard with cars. The shops are rnnning short handed, and no new men being em ployed. The mechanics that have been put on lately leave in a short time, not being suited with the pay offered them, There are a few A 1 men in the city that could be employed, but such men want men's pay. An improvement has been made in the East Denver Shops. The paint shops have been reto the round-house and the boiler shop into where the paint shop was; the tinners being given a corner. A third rail has been laid to the shops and some of the pitts narrowed up, and preparations made to do all repair work, both broad and narrow guage, at the machine shops, and it is understood that another wise move goes with it; that is, the concentrating of all this work under one gang boss. This is a move that should have been made years ago. The General Manager can save a good many dollars each day if he will order a grind stone sent to the East Denver Shops. The Trades Assembly are preparing to celebrate Labor Day with a picnic at Argo Park. Attendance at the Assembly is good and increasing showing the increasing interest that is SCRIBE. apparent everywhere. P. S. Since writing the above Brother Samuel Martin has died at the U. P. Hospital. The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon, the 28th. Brother Martin has been an earnest member of the Knights of Labor, and 3218 has lost a regular attendant. ELLIS, KANSAS, Aug. 20, 1887. Editor Magazine: Not seeing any correspondence from Ellis for some time I thought I would make the effort to write something to show the interest taken by the employes in the affairs of our organization. We are laboring under a great disadvantage, not being able to secure a hall large enough to accommodate our members. Two years ago we had ample room, but at present it is not the case. Our membership consists of all the shop men as well as engineers, firemen, conductors, brakemen and section men. Business on the road is good. Abundance of work in the shop, but the force employed for the amount of work is limited. The reduction of force struck Ellis as well as other points on the road. We have been informed that the company was compelled to curtail the expenses by reducing the mechanical department of the road. Now, the question is have or will they accomplish the results desired if the force retained will not be sufficient to keep up the work, including running repairs. The results will and must be disastrous to the company, but time will tell. With the limited number of men employed at this point work is progressing. Engines 708, 706 and 351 have been turned out of the Ellis shops, all in good shape, this month. Engine 361 will be out the first of September Engines 404 and 704 are in for general overhauling. Engine 712 is in for light repairs and will be out in a few days. Engine 557 has been sent to Armstrong shops for repairs. I understand others will follow, on account of the limited force employed here at Ellis. Will this justify the company? In the history of the K. P., with about the present force, this division received the credit of running at less expense per mile than any other division in the United States, but since then things have changed. Some of the work has been sent to other shops and the work charged up to this division. Some one else will and does receive the benefits and honor, if there be any, from those that manage and labor to accomplish an honest reputation. Brother Neasham visited our L. A., which greatly benefited our members. They have been inspired with more enthusiasm, and we all say come again. He is the right man in the right place. L. A. 2932 are unanimously in favor of having him occupy the D. M. W. chair for one more term at least. GEO. C. MILLER. EVANSTON, Wyo., Aug 23, 1887, Editor Magazine: The boys are well pleased with the last issue of the MAGAZINE and they are anxiously waiting for the next, for they say it is improving all the time and our friends on the outside confess the same, that it is a first-rate magazine. Work in the shops is about the same. Engine No. 956 is out and doing well and Nos. 812 and 815 have been in for repairs and will be out in a day or two. The 943 is looming up in good shape. Engineers and firemen are kept busy on the road. Before I close I will say that Local Assembly 3274 is going on pretty well now we are increasing in numbers. Evanston will be able to boast soon of a fine brick asylum and a fine brick county jail 25x50. I hope you will excuse me for keeping this letter so late as I have been called to attend a sick brother and get brothers to sit up with him; his name is Wm. Hardy and we are doing all we can for him. It is reported here that Mr. G. W. Dickerson has gone to Butte City, Montana, and that Mr. McIntosh, of Ogden, takes his place. The boys are anxiously waiting for Brother Neasham to come and visit us again, NEW YORK LETTER. T. E. M. JOHN SWINTON-A BRIEF TRIBUTE TO HIS STERLING WORTH-THE CONVENTION AT SYRACUSE. Alas! and alas! the withdrawal of John Swinton and his paper from the field of labor and from among the foremost of those noble Knights who have battled for the right, will cast a gloom over the hearth of all true men. The Nestor in point of wisdom and courage, and the Achilles in impetuous valor, one of the ablest defenders to make the proceedings of real service to the cause of labor. Failing in the exercise of these virtues, the Convention may, unhappily, promulgate a name for the party, a principle, or a measure which may prove to be the death warrant of the politically organized forces of industry. The vital points at issue are: First-A suitable of the cause of labor, in its broadest sense. John Swinton has done better service, made more sacrifices, fought more bravely for the working people than nearly any other man when all things are taken into account. Detesting, hating and despising the hoggish monopolists and capitalists, he laid the scorpion lash of his hot indignation over their quivering hides with the concentrated force and energy of his vehement and earnest nature. As a labor journalist he feared no man, no corporation, no combination of aggregated wealth, and when he launched his journal on the sea of polemic strife he wanted it to be known of all men that it was John Swinton's Paper; hence that title clearly and emphatically declared that John Swinton was its owner and editor, and assumed all the responsibility of its bold, defiant and incissive utterances-as though when he sent it forth he exclaimed: I cast my challenge at your feet, There lie my gauntlet and my gage! That his invaluable services were not appreciated and that criminal neglect and green-eyed jealousy worked their baneful influences to bring about his financial ruin there can be no doubt, hence his acebrity of temper and his cynical sentiments, verbally expressed; but as a writer, working faithfully in the interests of the people, he was thoughtful, wise and prudent. And good cause he had for his bitterness of soul, for no man was ever more severely tried by the ingratitude and gross thanklessness of those for whom he loved to labor. The demise of John Swinton's Paper is a blot upon the name of organized labor, while its brilliant life was a crown of glory and a wreath of honor to him who created it and upheld it so long in the face of obstacles that would have appalled the majority of men. The Convention of the United Labor Party, to be held in Syracuse, New York, next week, will be one of the most important Conventions ever yet held in behalf of labor and its concomitant interest, and it will require the exercise of much wisdom,discretion and personal disinterestedness generic name for a party embracing within its lines something more-very much more-than labor. Standing, as the new party does, in contradistinction to the two parties now held in the chains of the monied powers, it follows of course that all those elements of strength opposed to the Democratic and Republican rulers and leaders, should be called upon to rally beneath a banner broad enough to cover all the friends of industrial progress and reform. Second-The adoption of principles and measures that will clearly set forth the most practical remedy for the wrongs to which wage and salaried industry is subjected-measures that will most speedily do the work. Third-The desirableness of a brotherly, patriotic selfabnegation, such as will cast behind it, as most unworthy, any desire to force the adoption of a pet idea or a vain-glorious personality upon the consideration of the Convention. W. S. T. |