The trail of the swinging lanterns : $b a racy, railroading review of transportation matters, methods and menCopeland, John Morison
History
The trail of the swinging lanterns : $b a racy, railroading review of transportation matters, methods and men
Copeland, John Morison
Railroads -- Canada
Text of an address presented to him at Toronto on the occasion of his
transfer May, 1910, to “Grand Trunk Pacific” service at Vancouver, B.C.
[Illustration: WILLIAM P. DUPEROW,
General Passenger Agent, Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian Government
Railways, Winnipeg, Man.]
Mr. Gladstone declared “A book that will move many people of different
temperaments, and different degrees of intelligence, must have
power.” So it is with the individual: and because your friends in the
complacent East think you undoubtedly possess the magnetic current and
a warm heart, we are loth to separate from so much animated sunshine.
Colleagues, small and great, recount your generosity and regret
departure, while those distressed mortals who knew your kindly
assistance pour full the measure of credit.
If the public, and this galaxy of happy-go-lucky railroaders who
foregather have imperfectly recited how they will miss you at quilting
bees, it is not because they are hostile, but they lack Chantecler’s
brazen crow.
As a scout of broad gauge calibre, tracking business to its lair,
reconnoitering Indian bands or negotiating with sinner, saint and
suffragette, you have been all things to all men, and along the
tortuous trail they do say your sang froid, ingratiating manner and
elegance of diction ranked not as common garden varieties.
The King’s currency, bestowed in embarrassing quantities, is apt to
jolt one’s system into repudiating labor’s noble avocations; hence
the modest proportions of this accompanying bag of francs, which your
confreres--elderly, youthful, handsome--unhesitatingly tender you with
earnest protests of regard.
You are now at the Hemisphere’s portal, where you can, without
obstruction, behold the Fates unfolding your future; where old Sol,
with blushing countenance, sinks in the “Pacific” without his bathing
suit, and all supplicate you not to trip o’er the guy ropes when gazing
at comets with the astronomers.
We trust the doors to preferment, now open, will disclose to you and
yours the uneven highway of life growing smoother and wider, and may
the blessing of good health crown all.
The Committee:--R. S. Lewis, L.V.R.; A. J. Taylor, C. M. & St.P.R.; J.
J. Rose, C.P.R.; J. A. Richardson, Wabash Railroad; B. H. Bennett, C. &
N.W.R.; C. E. Horning, G.T.R.
[Illustration:
W. J. MOFFATT JOHN J. ROSE
_Passport Photograph Collection loaned by_
W. J. MOFFATT City Passenger Agent, G.T.R. Toronto
JOHN J. ROSE General Agent, Union Pacific Railway Toronto
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