viduals to disregard it in another line of conduct when both are equally a violation of the law. I am not speaking of the degree as man looks at it but as the law itself speaks; in it there is no degree the least deviation from the law the penalty was death. Another reason, the law was not made by man, it was instituted by the Supreme lawgiver for the benefit of man as a day of complete rest. The fact that it is so generally disregarded doesn't invalidate the law, neither does the fact that many profess to disbelieve the Divine origin of the law relieve any of their responsibility nor will their unbelief be any excuse against the infliction of the penalty attached, when they shall stand at the judgment bar from which there is no appeal and where the strictest justice will be measured out to every

one.

The company, be it the Union Pacific or any other corporation, that asks their employes to come and receive their pay on the Sabbath day are, I think, greatly responsible for much of the unbelief and disregard of the Sabbath that is prevalent and characteristic of the present day. They have not the excuse that they have for working their employes on that day; there is no breakdowns, no business expediency or requirements that they can advance as an excuse, so it can be nothing but a wilfull disregard of the law, but if one of their employes whom they have so taught both by example and pre-emptory order to break that law should violate the law "Thou shalt not steal" in regard to their property they can find no excuse for that but the full penalty of the law must be inflicted as far as human power can go, and yet both laws are from the same source, neither are of human origin, however much men may take to themselves the credit of enacting such laws.

Much more can be advanced against all violation of the law of the Sabbath day, but I will not say more at this time, but I think it can be shown clearly that railroad corporations are greatly the cause of so much disregard of the Sabbath as is seen around us. Nothing is so demoralizing in its influence as causing men to work on the Sabbath day; whatever regard they may have had, or however they may have been taught in their youth, work them a few Sundays and their regard and teaching goes for nothing, and not only so far as the Sabbath is concerned but all moral thoughts are either obliterated or covered up so that they are of no effect.

In all the labor reforms that are being talked of there is none, it seems to me, so much needed as that which the laboring man can do himself without any laws, all they have to do is simply to stop and do neither anymore-I mean working on the Sabbath day and drinking whisky. It is just as inconsistent for working men to talk about reform and not reform themselves as it is for corporations to ask you to violate one law and seek to enforce another. I am firmly persuaded that if the working men would reform as I have stated the most of their grievances would immediately disappear. A SHOSHONITE.

BROOKVILLE, Ka sas, Aug 15, 1888.

Editor Magazine:

The U. P. railroad at this place is doing an average business; train men making full time, yard men kept busy and the shop men working very hard; there is so much repairing and there has been no increase in the shop forces at this place, as is usual at this time of the year, the present force being obliged to keep up repairs as far as is in their power, however, shop men being rushed at this station, everything is working smoothly under the able management of J. B. Miller and others with authority.

Since the change of A. D. M. M. at Ellis the men are feeling somewhat anxious to know how things are about to go, as they know they lost a good man when J. B. Dailey resigned his position on the first of the month. I expect a correspondence in the Magazine from Ellis in next issue regarding the change.

I am sorry to inform the readers of the Maga zine of the death of Jerry Gery, section laborer at Mt. Zion. He rode out on a car loaded with ties, August 11, on train No. 214, when one mile east of Mt. Zion he was discovered rolling around under the wheels of the cars and was crushed so badly that he died in a few minutes. The sad event cast quite a gloom over all here and along the road, as the deceased was well known, being an employe of the company for 10 or 11 years. The deceased leaves a wife and five children to monrn his loss.

Brookville and vicinity has been blessed with several good rains and made all dry weather grumblers happy. It was late for some coru, however, it will have the effect of making the state stand on a prosperous bases this year.

The flouring mill at this place has been shut down for three months past, throwing five or six men out of employment. It seems somewhat strange that so many thousand dollars worth of machinery and building should lie idle when there is so much wheat to grind as there is in this vicinity.

The creamery at this place is run by a stock company with good success, doing good work. The butter and cheese is made of first-class quality.

Our Assembly is steadily moving along and have well attended meetings.

I must tell you that Brother C. C. F. and myself had a grand time at Ellsworth when I organized an Assembly of K. of L. there August 4, 1888. I invited Brother C. C. F. to go with me, knowing we would have a good time, he responded to my call and I guess he enjoyed himself as well as anyone would or could. 1 organized 45 men. They desired and resolved to be attached to D. A. No. 82, but the general secretary would not have it that way and attached them to the Kansas State Assembly.

Brother C. C. F. worked up quite a number of Magazine subscribers while in Ellsworth.

I was pleased to see that Brother Corbin enjoyed his trip to Kansas as well as he did. With best wishes I remain, J. B. F.

great credit and praise for the manner in which they arranged the programme.

I spoke in my last letter that the corn crop was nearly made, and must here say that there is many a slip between the cup and the lip. We have plenty of corn but not near one-half a crop; the great heat burnt it, nevertheless, it puts us in a better shape than last year.

The Union Labor party held a mass meeting at the coaster last night and a great crowd was present. I did not approve of some of the speaking, but take it all in all the the tariff question still remains favorable for a good and thorough reform. The farmers of this State need something at least to protect them better than mortgages. The workingman must have at least 100 cents on the dollar for their protection, our high tariff allows ouly 33 cents on the dollar.

The new college is drawing to completion, and here is fine work done on it, mostly by members of our Local Assembly.

Times are picking up some on account of a great quantity of wheat being brought in to the Salina market, with a good price, at 68 cents per bushel. With best wishes to the whole line from Omaha to The Dalles, I remain, fraternally,

C. C. F. OF 3005."

ELLIS, Kansas, Aug. 24, 1888.

Editor Magazine: One by one the roses fall. J. B. Dailey, the assistant division master mechanic of the Kansas division, has resigned, after 19 or 20 years service on the Kansas and Union Pacific railroad. His resignation took effect on the first of this month. He has been a faithful employe, and the position he occupied as Asst. M. M. brought him in contact with all employes from Brookville to Denver, something over 400 miles of road. He has always looked after the company's interests, as he was always around the shops, as his position required him to be. We have often thought that he looked on one side too much, judging from the jacking-up he used to give all of us. We sometimes think and feel that there has been times when some things has been said and done that it would have been far better to have left unsaid and work this on the old motto, think before you speak, and look before you leap should be impressed on every man's mind, especially those who have responsible positions and working men under their charge. Yet Mr. Dailey was not at all times to blame, for we all know that the Major was true at heart. He departs from here leaving many friends and no enemies. His many friends presented him with a fine present in shape of a silver tea set and a gold headed cane. We all regret his leaving and will always remember the kind words and actions as well as to forget the harsh remarks and hasty actions.

Mr. Hazen has assumed the position of general foreman of Smoky Hill and Denver division, and is every way qualified to fill the position, he being a first class mechanic and a practical man; as longer ractical men are selected and employed

we do not fear the results, but when men are selected for the bulldozing proclivities rather than their qualifications then we know what the results will be and the company would soon realize the effects.

Every thing is running splendid, plenty work in the shops and more coming. Business on the Kansas division is good and every one is satisfied with the exception of a few. ELLIS.

NORTH PLATTE, NEB., AUG. 23, 1888.

Editor Magazine:

I promised to write occassionally only, but thought I would make the rounds of all departments to note the changes since I was here before, so I will now enter the boiler shop, a splendid large roomy building, but its glory has in a measure departed; when I was was here before they built the best boilers I ever saw, but now no new boilers graces the floor. The force are kept busy on repairs, I notice the same old faces nearly, but they have developed into a strange fraternity, viz., dudes and 2 per cent a month money lenders. Talk about the evolution of man, just think of a boilermaker being a dude or a note shaver, yet this is what they have come to here, well may we say that wonders will never I leave there and enter the round-house, as the next place of any importance, a magnificent 25-stall house, said to be the finest on the road. The first man I noticed on entering was my old acquaintance, Ed Cipher. I had to laugh when I thought of old times, and at this season especialy calls past days back to my memory, Ed. used to be a terror on water "lemons" and it was a cold day at this time of the year when Ed. could not make the raise of a water "lemon," but the boys tell me he has lost his taste for them as they can lay one around now with perfect safety.

cease.

Well I think I have made the round of the main shops at least so will give you a pointer on things in general. Consternation struck a portion of our community the first part of the month, the portion I speak of was that grand and useful organization known as the O. R. C. they woke one morning, that portion of them between here and Omaha, and found themselves without a job and the cause I learn was that they were all found to be dishonest or that is supposed to be the cause, some of them say that they think that is what they were discharged for, but are not quite certain, anyway the other portion west of here, I understand, immediately met and passed the usual resolutions of loyalty to the company and assured them that they were to be depended upon and on no account would they strike. The resolutions were immediately telegraphed to Omaha and were answered by the general manager with thanks for their loyalty and assured them they would not be forgotten. It is generally thought they will be remembered soon. It will be needless to say they all expect to be remembered and are on the qui vere till the time comes. OCCASIONALLY.

. VOL. III.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION. During a presidential election every one is supposed to take an active interest in politics, that is at least as politics is generally understood the getting of some particular person into office.

It can be conceded that every man that expresses an opinion on such issues as may be agitating the people does so honestly and on the side that he believes will be for his best interest, and if he has given the subject sufficient thought to be able to say why he is of such opinion he is certainly capable of going to the ballot-box and there do justice to himself, and among a class of such men, whose interests in questions of laws and governments are necessarily identical there will be very little difference in their opinions and ballots, but in order to study over the subject sufficient to know why, they must have eliminated all prejudices they may have against party organizations and give the question calm, sober, honest thought.

The conditions are not good for any such work during a presidential campaign, for the whole plan of campaigning as now followed is to create as much as possible the contrary condition; to stir up sectional, race, religious and party prejudices, to get the political mind into as chaotic a condition as possible, and this plan is being pushed harder each year.

With the campaign documents,

No. 9.

with contradictory figures manufactured for the occasion, the silver-tongued orators with their ready flow of rhetoric, the noise of fife, drum, brass bands and hurrahs, can any but a chaotic state of thought be looked for? Is improvement in laws, economy and justice in the administration of government likely to be aided by and under such conditions? But such are the conditions now, still improvement in laws and economy and justice is what is wanted and candidates can only rightfully be considered with that in view.

There is a reason why this plan of campaigning is pursued. During the lulls between political campaigns the people have been, in their leisure moments, thinking; they have discussed with their neighbors questions in social and political economy of laws and administration of government that naturally effect them, they have come pretty near to a common conclusion regarding them; there was not the success of their favorite candidate or favorite party uppermost in their minds and blinding them from giving such subjects calm, honest study and thought, and if they kept in that condition it would be disastrous to political managers and disastrous to certain "interests" that are not the peoples, hence the expense resorted to create this chaotic state of mind and which is increasing each campaign, for the agitation

of social questions grows deeper each year. And the effective work that this agitation is doing needs no better proof than the spasmodic efforts that is now being made to reach the ear and unbalance the mind of the so-called "labor vote.' Campaign documents and oratory is all in that direction; no convention can adjourn without having "resolved" in favor of labor, and some of them, at least, with no regard for consistency when a comparison is made between the records of their nominees and these resolutions.

There is certainly no part of the population that should pay more attention to politics in an earnest manner than the common people, for, as the situation is now, it is the only time when they can express an effective opinion, and the only time when they have a chance to remedy any of the social evils against which they complain, and there is no time when their interests are more liable to suffer than during the presidential election, for state laws are the ones that effect them most, it is the state legislature that makes them, it is the judge that the district or county elects that decides on them and it is the other officers that administer the affairs of state and from all these vital points the presidential election attracts.

Workingmen that have gained sufficient intelligence to have seen the need of organ zed effort in behalf of their own interests, and having seen it have become affiliated with such, should especially scan the political situation in their locality and be as certain as possible that they know how their interests are likely to be looked after in the next state legislature, they can afford to forget that there is such a person as a president to be elected, rather than to neglect the more vital local interest.

Scan closely the nominations made for the legislature, see to it that no enemy of organized labor gets your vote, and if one is nominated by a party that has a positive record as your enemy and the rest of the ticket you are in doubt about you will be only safe in denouncing the whole of it, for at the present time parties are generally so anxious to catch your vote that they think of it before going into convention, and if they have the hardihood to .nominate one with an infamous record they did so with their eyes open and they will be most likely to have all the rest on a par with him, for under such circumstances, if they expect to elect at all they expect to do it with money and bluster regardless of candidates names or records.

There is no conscientious member of a labor organization but what knows he joined it for protection and he must consequently know that he has got to keep up that kind of protection, whether there is a tariff or not, and, therefore, it is of far more vital importance to him, to know that in his state there is no law going to be passed that will outlaw or make ineffective his organization, than it is whether there will be an average of 42 per cent tax on imports or one of 47 per cent.

Illinois now has a law which virtually makes criminals of members of a labor organization when they unitedly try to prevent a reduction in their wages or gain an increase, or come together to devise ways to protect themselves against impositions. Bold attempts were made at the two last sessions of the legislature of Colorado to pass similar laws. This is one means that the enemies of organized labor have of defeating their movements.

Judges are now found on the benches who have gained notoriety and also praise and admiration