Page:Engines and men- the history of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. A survey of organisation of railways and railway locomotive men (IA enginesmenhistor00rayniala).pdf/60

your energy, and I may hope your complete success, in the formation of a branch, and at the same time to inform you that the M &S, men are the first founders of the Society. Mr. Evans has doubtless explained to you the cause of us conceiving and proposing the Society. Although our men at this station had agreed to it, we have not opened a lodge here until next Sunday, the 15th inst. The reasons for not doing so are as follows:—

Birmingham, about the same time with our proposal, proposed a "National Union." We having no wish to divide the men, and Bristol being the centre of an agitation against the obnoxious circular of Mr. Dean, we waived our claim as the head of the movement in favour of Bristol, and requested their committee to call a general meeting of delegates to consider the various propositions which had emanated from the different stations. For the last month or six weeks we have been waiting for an answer, but Bristol delegate being unwell, they did not answer until last week, asking us to arrange with Birmingham. Our loyalty to Bristol as the head of the movement thus prevented us opening a lodge, so that your men have the honour of being the first members. We feel no jealousy on the matter, but heartily congratulate you. In the meantime we have not been idle, some of our men have been attending meetings of the Monmouthshire Railway at Newport, and the L. & N.W, men at Abergavenny. In both places we have been completely successful. Bristol having abdicated, leaves us with our hands free. We have determined, as the originators of the movement, to take our proper place as the head pro tem, and, in conjunction with the members of the various lodges, frame rules and a Constitution for the Society. We shall be pleased to receive any suggestions from you, which shall be placed before the delegates (your own included) when we have organised the matter fully, as to the National Union.

It is only a proposition, the same as ours, but they did not wait or ask any of the other stations, but started on their own