To be sure, it would add to
the government service immense numbers of men, and increase a danger that
had always been threatening, that of making too large a list of civil
officers to be managed without great corruption.
"But now it was not long before a large majority of the people asked to
have the trial made, and soon all railroads, canals, and steamboats were
in the hands of the general government. The employees were formed into an
army, with officers of all grades, and put under strict military
discipline. At the least show of insubordination a man was discharged,
never to be reemployed, and although this caused some hardship in
individual cases at first, it put an effectual stop to the strikes and
kept business moving. The best of the workmen had been among the strongest
advocates of national ownership, and as the movement gained in favor no
class were so satisfied with the change as the employees themselves. Work
was steady, wages were regular, faithfulness and length of service were
rewarded, and the aged and feeble were retired on pensions.
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