ommendation, and the fact that he had been a striker seems not to
have injured him in the estimation of railway officials generally, but
the main trouble was that there was no place for him.

While the boycott on Burlington cars had kept all roads, not operating
under a receiver, from handling Burlington business, it made it all the
easier for the company to handle the little traffic that came to them
and gave the road the appearance of running trains. All this was
discouraging to the men, and at last, having exhausted all fair means,
and some that were unfair, the strike was declared off. While the
company refused to the last to accept anything short of unconditional
surrender it is pleasing to be able to record here that the moment the
men gave in the officials did all they could, consistent with the policy
of the company and past events, to lessen the pain of defeat. The
following letter, which was sent by the president to the vice-president
and general manager, reminds us of the gentleness of Grant, in
receiving the surrender of a brave and noble general:

_Boston, Jan. 3, 1889._

_To ----, Vice-President C. B. & Q. Railroad, Chicago._

_The company will not follow up, black-list, or in any manner
attempt to proscribe those who were concerned in the strike, but on
the contrary, will cheerfully give to all who have not been guilty
of violence, or other improper conduct, letters of introduction,
showing their record in our service, and will in all proper ways
assist them in finding employment._

In making this letter known to the public the general manager said:

"It is important that no question should arise as to the good faith of
the company, and it is our desire and intention that there should be no
opportunity for such question."

He even offered to shield, as far as was consistent, those who, in the
heat of the fight, had committed unlawful acts. He was a generous
conqueror. It was humane, and manly, and noble in him to help those
unfortunate ones who were now in so much need of help, and to protect
them from the persecution of the few little-souled officials who were
loath to stop fighting. It is all the more creditable because he was not
bound to do it. He wrote: "While men who have been guilty of improper
conduct during the late strike cannot be re-employed, and while we
cannot give letters to them, no officer or employee should continue the
animosities of the conflict a