The Sun.
London, England, 1845-09-03 00:00:00

biening (itn4

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1.84,

Tho accidents on railroads have latterly become so
frequent, and excited so much alarm, that the Direc-
tors of Companies, for their own interest, as well as the
interest of those whom they represent, ought to adopt
somo measures, without delay for calming the
just apprehensions of the public. It would be
better that this were done spontaneously than
that new laws should be passed on the subject, or that
the proprietors should be frightened into the measure by
the verdicts of juries. Unless some feasible steps are
taken, this must be the ultimate result. It is true indi-
viduals have not a fair chance with wealthy and
powerful railway companies. Money; it is well
known, can pervert justice in various ways—
witnesses may be kept out of the way, new trials may
be moved for and obtained, and the unfortunate sufferers,
after all their labour and anxiety, may only obtain a
verdict sufficient to cover the expenses. This has been
occasionally the case already, but such a system
cannot be pursued with impunity. Jurymen
have an interest in securing the safety of the public, of
which they form a part ; it may be the fate of some of
them to have their limbs broken or be dashed to pieces,
or buried alive under a heap of carriages ; it may
be the fate too of their nearest relations to be
subjected to the same awful calamities, and they
have, therefore, the most powerful of all motives—self-
preservation—to give heavy damages against any Com-
pany that, from neglect or wilful mismanagement, en-
dangers human life. Some thirty years ago fatal acci-
dents from coaches and mails were much more frequent
than at a later period. And why? Because public opinion
was roused. A drunken, reckless, and incapable coach-
man was to be met with at every other stage ; accidents
were happening daily ; awl %hen these accidents unfor-
tunately were fatal, no redress at all equal to the loss
could be übtaiucd by the verdict of a coroner's jury.
Common juries, therefore, took up the question in the right
spirit, and when either negligence or drunkenness, or
wilful misconduct of any kind could be proved, they
gave proportionate damages. What was the result ?
The system was found too expensive for the
proprietors of coaches, they saw that good
management alone could save them from ruin,
and they soon found it necessary to appoint
driversl who had lan interest _in the concern,
and who, therefore, could not be guilty of 'dire-
less driving without being punished in purse and
sometimes also in person for their folly. Let the same
negligent system prevail on railroads for a few months
longer, and the result will be the same. Ordinary
damages against powerful companies will be of little
value, and the Directors may, therefore, reckon to a
certainty that verdicts which shall have the desired
effect will become as common as they were in the worst
days of coach travelling. It is better, therefore, to reform
In time, and the more so as reform would in a very
kief space attract passengers to an extent which would
certainly pay any additional expense. If the Govern-
ment take the question up, and pass laws for the b trer
management of railways, the Companies would be put
to great expense by mi:iute and probably, at first, im-
prac ioAble regulations. t retOrm, tr,erefore, com-
mence at home, and let the Directors render legislation
and punishment uancceuary, by adopting the most
likely matures for the proveutioa of ticcicituto,