Now, therefore, the Directors of the company are hereby ordered

So spoke Joshua A. Norton, known to history as Emperor Norton I, the self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico: “Now, therefore, the Directors of the company are hereby ordered to see that precautions are taken to make travel on said railroad perfectly safe by using a screw with at least twenty-four inches diameter.” His words, though curious and wrapped in eccentricity, flow from the timeless concerns of all rulers and guardians—that the lives of the people be protected, that their journeys be secure, and that progress not come at the cost of human safety.

To understand his decree, we must remember his place in history. Norton lived in San Francisco in the mid-19th century, during the great age of railroads, when iron tracks stretched across the land, binding together cities and states. But with this expansion came danger: derailments, accidents, and the loss of lives. The Emperor’s proclamation, though clothed in technical language about “screws” and measurements, was in essence a call for vigilance, for precautions to be taken so that the miracle of rail travel would not be overshadowed by tragedy. His eccentric rulings masked a deeper truth—his concern for the well-being of ordinary travelers.

The ancients also knew this bond between innovation and responsibility. When the Romans built their great roads, they did not simply lay stones for armies to march—they engineered carefully for drainage, strength, and safety, so that travelers, merchants, and messengers might pass securely. A road, a bridge, or a ship was never merely a tool of power; it was a trust, a bond with the people who would use it. Likewise, Emperor Norton, in his decree, embodies the voice of one who sees that progress without safety is folly.

History has shown what happens when such warnings are ignored. In the early days of the Industrial Revolution, factories and railroads grew swiftly, yet safety was neglected. Mines collapsed, trains derailed, and countless lives were lost in the name of speed and profit. But when laws, regulations, and leaders demanded precautions, when greater care was taken in the design of machines and the training of workers, then progress was no longer stained with needless death. Norton’s decree, whimsical as it may seem, stands in that lineage of voices urging responsibility.

Yet there is also in his proclamation the heroic spirit of imagination. Though he bore no real throne, the people of San Francisco cherished Norton because he spoke with the courage of a king. He issued decrees not only about railroads but about bridges, laws, and peace. His words carried the authority of one who dared to dream of a better and safer society. Even in this command about a “screw,” we hear a deeper call: let every invention of mankind be guided not only by ambition, but by the protection of human life.

The lesson for us is clear: whether in great endeavors or small tasks, let us always take precautions. Safety is not weakness—it is wisdom. To secure the path for others, to make their journey safe, is among the noblest labors we can perform. Just as the Emperor demanded care for travelers upon the railroad, so must we demand care in our homes, our communities, and our technologies. For what use is progress, if it is not safe for those it claims to serve?

Practically, this means living with foresight. Build sturdily. Test carefully. Anticipate danger before it arrives. In our daily lives, it may be as simple as watching over the well-being of our loved ones, or as vast as ensuring that new technologies are created with safeguards for humanity. Always remember that true greatness lies not only in creating, but in protecting.

Thus, Emperor Norton’s words, strange though they may sound, shine with enduring wisdom: progress must be joined to protection, invention to responsibility. Let us carry forward his decree in spirit, ensuring that every road we lay, every system we build, every journey we undertake, is made safe for all who travel upon it. In this way, even the proclamations of a mad Emperor become timeless counsel for generations.