NOTES.

Lancaster, Pa., is sending tramps from their poor house to take the place of the Reading Railroad strikers.

The State of Alabama has rented 6000 convicts for ten years, at $13 per month, to dig coal in the Pratt mine, which produces 3000 tons of coke per day.

Reports from the branches of the Order of the Knights of Labor in England indicate a growing interest being taken by the workingmen as the principles of the Order are becoming more generally

understood.

A very singular feature of the strike of the Pennsylvania miners is that most of the men attend religious service where revival meetings are in progress, and the boys are flocking to the school-houses. No use for Pinkerton's Thugs in that region.

In France the telegraph service, which was amalgamated in 1878 with that of the postoffice, has been so cheapened that for one franc (twenty cents) a message may be sent from Cherbourg, on the English Channel, to Algiers, a distance of 2,000 miles.

A collision occured in Nebraska, on the main line of the U. P. Ry., Feb, 25, between the fast express and a freight, the Engineer, M. Powell, was killed, the trains took fire and the sleeper, day coach. express and baggage cars were consumed.

The Rural New Yorker is responsible for the statement that twenty-six members of the Senate are owners of individual corporate property amounting to $1,000,000,000, nearly $4,000,000 each, and twenty-two are agents or attorneys for corporations, mainly of railroads, and retaining their position in the Senate and drawing their pay from their employers. The following resolution was offered and passed on the 23d of September, 1793, by the United States, with only two dissenting votes, and signed by George

Washington, President, and John Adams, Vice-President:

Any persons holding an office or stock in any institution in the nature of a bank for issuing or discounting bills or notes payable to bearer or order, can not be a office or stock. member of the House while holding such

What a change then and now? The railroad kings have usurped the most important function of Government. They control the Legislature, the Courts and Congress. They exercise unlimited power of taxation; they make treaties and declare and prosecute wars of subjugation and conquest. They control realms and sovereignties as real and tangible as any kingdom in the world.Industrial Leader.

OUR OWN FAULT.

Here in this republic the people have the right of making and changing all laws at pleasure. The workingmen are in the majority. If they have not the manhood, honesty and intelligence to make good laws then they deserve to suffer the consequences, then they deserve no sympathy. If they are oppressed they are their own oppressors. If monopolies exist they are of their own creation. If unjust systems prevail it is only through their connivance and folly. The workingmen are responsible for every unjust law on the statute book; they are responsible for every monopoly existent; they are responsible for all the wrongs and robberies that are perpetrated under the law. The workingmen are the State, the nation, and when they denounce the State or nation they are denouncing themselves. Were they governed by alien rulers or denied the right of suf · frage then it would be different. Force is no remedy. It is the resort of savages at best. When the fighting would be all over the ballot would have to be resorted to at least in order to settle the questions involved. Nor will wild and vulgar denunciation of individuals avail, this is the The workingweapon of weak minds. will have it just as soon as they are men can have justice if they will it; they worthy of it. The remedy is in a higher intelligence. Every toiler must not only be a worker, but a thinker. Honest and intelligent labor could rule and should rule in this republic.-Fort Worth South West.

Copy of last issue of Magazine at hand. The number of communications contained therein would lead one to believe that the correspondents are attending to their duties. The reading

matter is by far the brightest and newsiest that 'we have had for some time, and if continued will certainly place the Magazine on such a footing that none may need to blush for it.

A couple of years ago Brother Copeland delivered a series of lectures upon the labor question, one or two were printed in the Magazine. I would like to see them reproduced in the Magazine; if you think you can publish one a month. Brother Copeland says we are welcome to them; they will make very interesting reading. He also promised me that he would write an article once in a while for the sake of keeping the good work going.

The Assemblies are progressing steadily here. A few years ago about every day in the busy season witnessed a new strike or lock-out, or trouble of some kind between employer and employe. Note the radical change made by organization. In most every issue of our daily papers you will see where employes and employers have conferences when they mutually agree upon scales of prices to be adopted for the season; that is a good plan, it has a tendency to have them place confidence in one another, produces good feeling and makes it better for everybody. Careful, cool reason comes out on top every time.

Yesterday being Washington's Birthday the shops were shut down as far as practicable to allow the employes to celebrate. The weather was all that could be desired for the occasion.

Every department in the shops here are all busy, everybody seems to have all the work they cau do, especially the locomotive department.

Engine 965 that was in the wreck on the west end will be out of the shops in a few days looking just as well as she ever did.

There is considerale talk here about building some new machine shops for the locomotive department, but these shops have been contemplated for some years past, and this is the third or fourth time locations have been selected for them, although I believe that it is stronger pushed this time than ever before. I am informed that plans and specifications are being prepared to submit to the Directors at their an

nual meeting next month, when a request will be made for $140,000 for shops and machinery for Omaha, which is greatly needed here to do the work necessary to be done, as the work keeps gradually getting more and more each year and still the same machinery to do the work with that was here some eight or ten years ago.

Machinists are being hired here at the rate of three or four each week and still we don't seem to have enough to do the work, but it seems a different class of machinist are springing up, as it were, than was the case in years gone by. Good all around machinists that you can work anyplace don't seem to be traveling around now a-days, or at least they don't stop over in Omaha. It may be the wages offered are no inducement to good men, but it is conceded by all close observers that the $3.00 machinest of to-day are not as profitable to the Company as the $3.20 and $3.30 machinist of three or four years ago.

Things at the transfer are getting into shape now so that the passenger and through freight engines will be kept over at the other side of the river in a short time from now.

Assembly 10,793 is increasing its membership right along and is looking forward to the time when it will be the peer of any Assembly in town.

Our Master Mechanic Hoovey arrived about the 25th of last month and seems to take a lively interest in things in general.

We have another machinist apprentice started last month under the new rules, making the third that have passed a satisfactory examination, if my memory serves me right. The amount of pay for an apprentice under the rules is fifty cents per day for the first start, and I believe the other two apprentices were started at that rate, now how does it happen that the last one, who is fortunate enough to have a relative holding a position on the road, can get 75 cents per day. I simply ask this question in justice to the other apprentices. C.

[The above question I gave up, maybe some of the readers of the Magazine can answer it for the party asking the question.-ED.]

As this is a legal holiday, Washington's Birthday, and I am not working, I thought a few lines from here might interest the readers of the Magazine.

It is old news to tell you that we are busy, for the shops are full of work and the boys are making lots of overtime.

Engine 340 is out in the yard. Engine 995 is out and doing pretty well, would do better if they could do something to stop her from filling up in the front end. Engine 1,001 is out again with Ed. Dennis on the right side. Sam'l Blackham, Jr., was up with the 1005 from Echo to have some repairs done on her; of course he was anxious to get back on account of his young wife and baby. The 84 is looking well and will be out soon. Engine 984 will be out soon.

Trains 3 and 4, or the cannon-ball, arrives on

time. Our old time Engineer Lyman Huggins made the run from Green River to Evanston, 110 miles in two hours and thirty-three minutes, with Big Jumbo the 815; of course Billy Baden was handling the scoop.

We are about to lose our old friend and shopmate John Milene, he goes to San Francisco to better his condition. John is a good machinist and all the boys wish him success.

As we have been crowded for engineers to run on the road some of our old firemen have been going through the examination. L. Putnam,

Wm. Murray, J. Whittle and C. Bowman all passed.

We were startled the other Sunday morning by the alarm of fire. We soon found out it was Chinatown, three houses and part of another was destroyed and came very near burning their Josh house. The Chinamen worked very hard to save it. I heard some person make the remark, what a pity the wind didn't blow the other way and burn the dirty outfit out of what there was left of the race in Evanston.

Pleased to see John O'Donnell up from the Ogden bospital. He speaks well of all the doctors and the treatment he received while under the operation of having his leg taken off. He is now on his way home to visit his old mother in Iowa.

We are pleased to see Lee Krauss on the streets again, but he don't look like the same man.

Some of the boys are anxious for Thomas Neasham to come and visit us and wake us up for we are going to sleep, I think. L. A. 3274.

LARAMIE, WYo., Feb. 20, 1888.

Editor Magazine:

In the shops here there is as much work as ever. No sooner does one engine get out than two more want to come in. The shops have been working ten hours and considerable overtime. There are five engines on blocks. Have just put a new stationary in to run the shops, a little larger than the old one.

Business on the road is very good yet. Trains have to stand sometimes and wait for engines to pull them.

The Soda Works have been shut down the past m nth on account of the waste breaking in on the soda and freezing over. It is expected they will be running again in a few weeks more.

The Bar Rolling Mills are running as usual and making full time.

The Glass Works are running full blast and claim to be making as good window-glass as any in the United States. What we have seen looks nice and clear.

The Flouring Mill has begun to grind, with what success we have not as yet heard.

Work in town is not plenty yet, although from reports we are led to believe there will be considerable building the coming season.

The Knights of Labor had a ball which proved a success as regards pleasure and finances. Yours,

J. H.

Editor Magazine:

STOUT, Colo., Feb. 10, 1888.

Since the last letter from Stout, in the January issue of the MAGAZINE, there has been a great change for the worst in this semi-penitentiary. The quarries, it is alleged, do not pay expenses after four years work on them, which is no surprise to anyone, because it was a puzzle hereto fore to many how they could be when an army of bosses, clerks and professional idlers were kept on the pay-rolls. Doubtless did H. C. Lett, late superintendent of the stone department, not know what his subordinates in Stout and Buckhorn were doing or he must come to the conclusion ere this that something is rotten in his dominions. In order that Mr. Lett may gain no insight of his foremen's doings they made him. costly presents, valued from $200 00 to $300.00, paid for by the workmen. Many were, so to say, forced to pay a tribute for the privilege to remain at work, or if the workman answered in the negative he would soon find himself in possession of the usual time-check, payable in Denver so that the laborer was obliged to pay $2.90 for railway fare to gct his earnings. Still we read in the Rocky Mountain News of Denver, February 7, that the men of Stout and Buckhorn, inspired with thankfulness, made Mr. Lett a costly present. If Mr. Lett had an idea how he came by the present he surely would protest receiving it. The testimonial of the employes, as printed in the News, is the work of one man assisted by the "headchopper." These two men take the liberty to speak for 500 workmen unauthorized, to make the world believe that Stout and Buckhorn are heavenly places to live in and its workmen contented.

On Thursday, Feb. 2, Charles P. O'Reilly, and Mr. Beckwith, of Rock Springs fame, and other gentlemen of the coolie labor employers syndicates took charge of the quarries, and the first orders issued by Mr. O'Reilly were, as given below, in true Russian style, because he comes from Joliet, Illinois. By penalty of instantaneous discharge, is prohibited at the works all smoking, talking and keeping on the coat, either warm or cold; also, Mr. O'Reilly demands that the workmen should take their coats off on those chilly mornings, and he gave strict orders to his foremen to see that those orders were enforced. If the reader doubt the foregoing statements he may offer his services to Mr. O'Reilly, provided his outward appearance is of the Chinaman style. All workmen, particularly from the East, are requested to stay away from the Stout-Buckhorn quarries. This should be given the widest publicity. "The men take no interest in the work," Mr. O'Reilly once said; would the workmen which have seen and yet see brute force triumph everywhere be inspired with the necessary ardor to hold itself open to moral force and justice?

February 14. The tyranical orders put into effect by Mr. O'Reilly and executed by foremen Kinney and Goodwin, caused an uprising of the outraged quarrymen to shake off the yoke of the odious intruders on the night of February 10. At

noon of that day the weather being bad the men did not go out and Mr. Goodwin came down to order them out when they bombarded him with snow-balls. The Missourian, scared nearly to death, gained shelter in the postoffice, where he remained for three hours. The passions of the men grew with the excitement and there would certainly have been a dead Missourian if he had been caught.

The employes of the Union Pacific should look out for J. N. Phillips, agent for the Travelers Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn., by misrepresentations he obtained more than $300.00 from the quarrymen. He represented that the cost would be $18.00 per year, payable in quarterly payments of $4.50 each, but instead $4.75 was taken out of their pay four consecutive months, being $1.00 more than represented and with the hardship of being collected in a way the men did not expect. He is a smooth talker, but the talk will probably be taken out of him if he ever shows up here again. Legal steps have been taken in the matter and an attempt will be made to have him indicted.

The foreman in the North quarry, who endeavored to outwit J. H. Kinney in the enforcement of prison rules found that the damned foreigners and Anarchists' were no fools after all, because the management of quarries encouraged them to leave their homes in Finland by ship

This being ground-hog month, and in central Kansas he did not see his shadow, therefore, the expectations are that we may look for an early Spring, which I am pleased to say has fairly begun. Last week we had for two days a nice and steady rain, frost is out of the ground, and grass is forcing its way to the top of mother earth once more, which is so welcome to its inhabitants.

The L. A. 3005 holds its own nicely and the two resolutions brought out lots of views of great importance, although the view taken by this Assembly does not materialize the fact. Sometime in the near future we will again bring forth the subject.

The Magazine question was handled very carefully, however, financial difficulties, which we are subject to, robbed a true discussion of No. 2. It will and always has been that a great many Knights of Labor do not realize the necessity of education in their own family and take into consideration that the Magazine is really the best Knights of Labor advocate printed.

Like a pillar it stands in the (once) American dessert, and I shall not rest until my list shal! show at least 200 subscribers before the next District Assembly meeting. I stated the principal objections in

the District Assembly meeting which I hope will in the next meeting be changed to the better for the Magazine.

Well, "hurrah" for the men at Pocatello in receiving a recognition at the hands of the Company through the influence of the District Assembly Executive Board. This, I claim, is a decided victory for District Assembly 82, its members and in fact of our whole Noble Order. Step by step the Star of the West guided us to victory.

The most interesting examination was exemplified while President Corbin, of the Reading Railroad Company, was on the stand before the Congressional Committee, viz: President Corbin representing everything except honest toil, and Congressman Anderson of our Congressional District, representing labor from the Atlantic to the Pacific, asking President Corbin where his home was, which must according to the charter of the Reading Railroad be in Philadelphia; and he said he had five residences, one in Philadelphia, one in New York City, and Connecticut, and Long Island, etc. But Congressman Anderson asked him where he got his washing done? that struck the key note. Now a laboring man has to answer all such questions, and will not be given a chance to steal a nominal sum for his daily labor, but a railroad president of the Reading Railroad gets tired by stealing 100 millions and gets on his ear by being asked "where do you get your washing done?" How do you dare ask ME such a question! I can steal 100 millions and you oannot; you are only a laboring man-as much as to say, I am thy lord and you are my dog. The laboring people of this country will, in course of time, consider this Corbin matter, and how nice it would be if a Feberation of Trades existed in Pennsylvania between miners and railroad employes. Nearly 80,000 laboring men could staunch their hunger and thirst at the expense of the big thief of the Reading Railroad Company, the 100 millions would not do him any good if nobody handled it for him.

Railroad circles are active here. We can ride cheap now anywhere East and South for one cent per mile, or one fare for round trip.

The Union Pacific has put up a store-house here near its depot, which employs two extra

men.

Times are quiet as yet, but a boom is imminent this Spring; the foundation was laid by the last rain, and the weather so nice since, there will be plenty of fruit unless a late frost kills it. The wheat looks fine and very promising.

The carpenters who went to California last summer, nearly all wish they had not gone, as that State is overrun with that branch of mechanics. So many of our Brothers write from there.

Now this city has a sewer contract already let, and very soon we shall be able to record whether or not sewerage is a success. Our city now has two electric plants, one a electric light and power plant, so the readers will see that we are keeping step with Horace Greeley's advice. Now I shall caution all visiting Brothers to lookout, we have

five police officers and not one rum-shop, how is that? Be sure we live in a Prohibition State, but before this law we had five rum-shops and one marshal, how is that? In my mind I have answered it. I would like to ask Brother J. H., of Laramie, Wyoming, to explain, which I think he will try very hard to do.

With best regards to the whole of D. A. 82, I am Fraternally yours,

C. C. F. of 3005.

SHOSHONE, Idaho, Feb, 21. 1888.

Editor Magazine:

Will your readers parden me if I begin my letter this time by speaking of the weather, that subject always to be avoided in letter writing. From 40° below in my last letter, the thermometer has risen to 70° above at this writing, and our spirits have risen accordingly.

There is a big programme on the slate for the next ten days. Entertainments without end. From the following you will gather how well "Lent" is observed in this part of the country. But first, to give you an idea as to the magnitude of our affairs out here, a local paper in recording the result of the "Woman's Home Missionary Society" entertainment, held here last week, names the proceeds at $39000 and adds, by way of encouragement, that this is remarkable, considering the small amount charged for admission-25 cents. This is not to be taken as a reflection upon the veracity of our local editors however.

During the coming days, there will occur on the eve of "Washington's Birthday" a Calico ball given by the Shoshone dancing club.

On the day following the 22nd, the shops will close, and we will all take a rest. In the evening the Literary Society of the High School intend having some exercises appropriate to the day, and a flag drill. The Georgia Minstrels are billed for the same evening at the Pavillion.

Some of the boys have bids to a "blow out" later in the week, results to be given in our next.

Next on the list is the "Ladies Leap Year Ball" which occurs on the 29th. If you're not a good boy, and do not keep your nose clean you can't go.

Engines in the shops now are 593, 954, 949, 551, and 976, all in for general repairs.

The brass foundry, as expected, is running and the moulder, Mr. Smith, turning out good work.

A portion of the round house is to be partitioned off, and occupied by the store department, which will be acceptable to Messrs. Sketchley and Redmond, and also add to the convenience of Mr. Smith in his moulding operations.

It is understood that the Hospital at Ogden is overcrowded with victims of the rail and weath

er.

The Co-operative store is doing an excellent business.

The Shoshone Journal of Feb, 18, reports the following accident: "Last Monday night the west-bound freight train met with an accident

four miles this side of Glenn's Ferry which resulted in the wrecking of six cars and the death of a man. It was passing through a cut at the time in which were some steers, and one of the animals was either thrown against, or attempted to climb the bank and fell back under a car and caused the car to jump the track, and ditch six cars loaded with ties. In one of these was a tramp who was killed in the wreck. His body was recovered and taken to Glenn's Ferry, where an inquest was held by Justice Sinnott, acting as coroner. Upon his person were found checks and drafts representing in the neighborbood of $1,500, but no money. Up to the last accounts it had not been ascertained whether the checks and drafts were genuine and of value or not. From a letter found in his pocket it is supposed that the unfortunate man's name was Davis, but where he was from or whither he was going is not known. The remains were buried at Glenn's Ferry Wednesday."

SOUTH BUTTE, Montana, Feb. 19, 1888. Editor Magazine:

Since my last letter some of the old men have left here: C. H. Micel, who has been on the road for five years, quit and has gone to Jacksonville, Illinois, to work for W. J. Hemphill.

Robert Hite, engineer, has gone to work on the N. P., also Pat. Meeks, fireman, went with him. Yardmaster James Carey has been on the sick list for the past week. P. F. Slattery has been filling his place.

G. W. Dickenson and wife have gone to Omaha for a few weeks. His place is being filled by John Burns.

Superintendent Ressigue and Master Mechanic Hickey, of the Idaho Division, called on John Sweeney, who was hurt in a wreck near Dillon. Engine 105 is turned out and is doing duty on Anaconda hill. Engine 106 will be the next one on the blocks.

T. T. Slattery says he will have nothing more to do with widows as he never hears the last of it. The different labor Orders have moved into Smith's new hall, it being more commodious. AH SID.

THE DALLES, Oregon, Feb. 20, 1888.

Editor Magazine:

As you will notice by our monthly report we are having a steady and I can assure you a healthy increase of members. As our Assembly is growing in years SO it is getting more careful in regard to the aims, intentions and character of each candidate, only by so doing shall we be able, as one of our members said, to compel the public by our honorable and determined conduct to respect our Order. We have had our share of narrow-minded opposition from a certain class of codfish aristocratic merchants, that if they would take the trouble to read our preamble and constitution both a moral and financial advancement would take place. While we do not particularly wish to increase our membership except by men that are desirous of advancing the interest of their fellow-being, we