Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-12-10
The RaiirOnd.

We give pace 10 the following communication,
that all sides may be heard. We cannot think that
the writer really intends to find fault with be-
cause, on moments reflection his better judgment
would forbid it. With few notes which suggest
themselves as we read it, we dismiss it for the pre-
sent, observing that, as leisure prevails, have
something considerable more to say the subject.
For the Sentinel.
For some weeks past the Sentinel and the Journal
have frequently noticed the management of the Rail-
road So far editors think proper to express opin
ions of the managers of the road they must pass for
what they worth; but it seems to me that upon
making statements and drawing conclusions, editors
should inquire into facts 1t is not denied that in trying
to do the large amount of business Unexpectedly offer
ed us, we have met with disappointments. These
have been occasoned mostly by the high floods of the
last two years, which have done ten times more
damage than all the other accidents put together For
the of sufficient motive power, cars and tracks,
and by attempting 10 do too much under the circum-
Stances we have sometimes failed and all our fall
ures, with many exaggeratons, have been chroncled
~
Our company, which has laid out less than $4,000
mile the track it mas constructed, and for the
motive power and cars to it, may not have got
along a. well as Oh roads that have cost five times as
much. But even the best roads, as | understand
IT, both iron and timber sometimes break. Locomo-
tives usually cost from $500 TO Sl2OO year to keep
repair and of 800 wheels, it Is estlma
ted that 10 break the first year, $50 the second, and
nearly all the third year. When such things take
place on other roads they be expected on ours
where the business has been such that engines,
and hands have almost of necessity been oyerworked
We doing all to remedy these difficulties !;
but we could no more afford to do in day all the
business that is sometimes offered than the Sentinel
or Journal publish at all the articles that
their various customers ask of them. Since have
been on the road. now three years and half pas
senger has been injured the trains has there
been any serious accident engines cars, except
in three instances. In the first of them by the break
ing of axle when the freight train going too
fast three cars were thrown off, and damage sustain
ed to the amount of $500. When the engineer I'M
dersood that he blamed. he left Immediately, and
has not since been in employ ~ The second acci-
dent the injury to the engine, Johnson, a few
days ago, which culyert In the dark, that had
been broken down by tree falling on it. This en-
CINE has since been repaired at expense, as Mr..
Thomas the machinst states, of 500. In this case
no blame was imputed for after the engine was re-
versed and the breaks applied, the wheels slid more
than a hundred yards (3) At least seven-eghths of
the matters stated in the Journal in reference TO this
accident untrue. The last accident the col
lsion of two engines in the Vernon Cut Thursday
last. In this case not well informed as TO par
ticulars but I suppose some blame should be attach
ed to both engineers. One of them if in fault,
has never before beer blamed by any during five
years service az The damage Is estimated at $500
by the best Judge of these matters that have seen.
As to the early hour of starting which the Sentinel
speaks of so harshly, it adopted because the BUSH
ness on the Madison Plain could not otherwise be
done this year. and because Il is desirable to have
the passenger trains ahead of the freight trains when
ever it is possible. There other good reasons,
but these must answer at present The time will
soon come hope, when the editors of the Sentinel
will not be required to rise early in order to take
passage on the cars. %
was not present at the location of the depot and
other director far know, had any interest in
the present site had previously urged rs location
In Pennsylvania street. where it is crossed by Mary
land street, but this location, / understand was
prevented by the city council have no choice, whe-
Their the Sentinel will publish this article, take
other to correct the into which il
has fallen. s. MERRILL, President.
r. K. Office, Dec D, 1913
% The editors of the Sentinel must plead "not
guilty. to the charge of "exaggeration." The fact
Is, no one connected with the road has ever taken
sufficient interest in it, to see that such matters
correctly reported to the Press. As items of news
and information, have published these things and
almost always greatly modified from the reports as
they reached US. Even the business matters of the
road, necessary for the public and so essential 10
ITSELF showing its value and advantages, and tend
ing gain it credit have not been regularly furnish
ed us, although paid for by This. with what the
present directors kno0, ought to know, shows that
the friends of the road and if we OCCASION
ally show what may be considered errors or abuses,
the public will also knoD the same.
(2) He ought not to have been suffered to remain
that long, should he have been allowed the privi-
lege of ''leavng." He should have been kicked out.
The only excuse he could have rendered might have
saved his credit, viz: That no system had been
adopted, and he had none to follow. This hint we
hope sufficient.
(3) In this case, no blame, believe, has been
attached to any one at least, not by us.
(4) Both to blame; and if they have any or
ders under any system, should be discharged forth.
with The damage may be small but such acct.
dentstby incompetent agents, (om any cause) would
more than counterbaance the difference in OGges be-
tween experienced and competent men, in the
of year.
90 Now, friend Merrill. we like your good humor
Indeed. do. The joke is rich, ''to great extern
in this community" and we doubt not, will be Sc
considered by not few of our Madison friends! i
il IS intended as "real earnest" we must take occa
sion to refer you TO a few individuals" who can't b.
persuaded that the "OId Rooster eper sleeps Nay
it "bas been said' that he is Ubiquitous
But-"enough said.H till we get a chance to Civ
the passengers jesse for their careessness and disre
gard of rules Of orders.
As to the general inlerential plea that the road
as well managed as others, we will only say that W
want it better managed. And that be done, W
know.