The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-29 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EXPRESS,

SlR,—From the many instances recorded in tho
public journals, and sever cases that have come to my know-
ledge, of individuals suffering injury, loss, and inconve-
nience through the careless management of railways, and
the apparent indifference of the directors, for which no
compensation has been made, I fear the public are not fully
alive to the insecure position in which they stand iu relation
to railway companies. I grant there are a few cases where
small compensations have been made but in how many of
those cases has the compensation been forced by actions at
law ? I have now before me a newspaper in which I find
stated that a Mr. Machin, of London, took an action against
the South Western Railway Company for the amount of a
bale of silk they had lost, and which they refused to make
good. The plaintiff obtained a verdict. The company
moved a new trial, and I believe in this and a third trial
the plaintiff succeeded in obtaining a verdict. But how rarely
do we find parties possessing the wealth and perseverance
necessary to obtain, in courts of law, that compensation
which reason and justice should concede without such
appeal t
There arc two cases of my own—one of more importance to
me than the loss of any amount of property, the sacrifice of
my brother's life • and the other was the following :—About
two years ago, a life;
of silk, value 80/., was forwarded to
me per "London and North Western lailway," but which
bale I have not received, nor have I hem able to get the
least compensation. The plea of the directors is, that they
are not legally responsible for merchandise forwarded by
them above the value of 101. I have not the courage to
test their plea in a court of justice, knowing well that
they would test the length of a larger purse than
mine by moving for fresh trials, as in the case referred
to above. Thus, the railway directors, shielding
themselves under the partiality or defectiveness of
thelaw, their immense wealth, end the monopoly they enjoy,
are apparently little concerned either for the safety of their
passengers or the property committed to their charge.
I shall take it u a favour if you will permit me, through
the medium of your valuable journal, to suggest for the consi-
deration of those more conveniently situated than myself,
that steps ought to be taken, by united action, for the pur-
pose of giving pecuniary assistance and legal advice to
tradesmen and others when necessary, in case of iliepote
with railway companies; and for obtaining a revision of
the law of "common carriers," which would in my opinion
be a great public benefit; inasmuch as the directors would
then find it to their interest to look more to the safety of
both pamsugers and goods.
In reply to the above, it may be urged by some that
goods may be " insured." Allow me to say that since the
loss of my bale of silk I have insured all I could ; but here
another difficulty anon' for if I send a parcel .acetb," I
em told by the oMciala that they °alpine* to Masan,
field (12 miles), so that for the rennin* of the distance
I end others here are es much at their mercy se ever.
I mat, &a.
Leek Beet.= 1861. waralsoN.