The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-07-31
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The ETIQuErTE OF RAILROAD CARS is
new science, the principles OF which arc
not yet fully established. 1t appears to be
conceded that passcngc Tho pays for
but one ticket, is entitled y OILY one seat,
J, G. hall OF one sclicc; ana consequently,
fnat any other passenger has a righl TO oc-
cupy vacant sea, at his side. Ii follows
that when there is deficiency of seats, a
gentleman with two ladies has no riyht ln
l!onopoizc two entire settecs, 70. the con.
renlcnce OF, Il tetc a tcic.
The concessions due TO ladies' in The
choice OF scttccs, &c, arc not clearly de-
fined. Ii the seats arc MI occupied. and
half dozen ladies' step INTO the car at some
station house. must as many gentlemen Va
cate their seats for the remainder OF the
trip!
If a gentleman has selected sci,cc
which suits him, there being one vacan;
scat at his side, is he liable to be oustc,l by
9 gentleman and lGdy who come into the
car, and whose pleasure ii is To occupy his
seat, aud leave him to shii, for hiii,scl as
he may be able! Many gentlemen accom-
panyng ladies invite such dispossesslon
with as much assurance as ii il were Their
right. Is It their right!
lna hot summer day a gentleman secures
seat on the shady side oi the car. whicl,
chances also to be the windward side. 4
gentleman and lady, or two ladies, after
wards enter the car, and coyctinr his com
paralivcly cool position, invite ban, To give
mp his sct,cc for their benefit, and to take a
vacant one on the sunny sidc, which they
might as easily have taken themselves, had
they heen so disposed. Is that a civil in
vitalion; aud If SO does civiHty require him
tocomp!y!
The legal right, in all these cases, aud
others OF Il similar character which ire.
Qucntiy. arise in practice, is, We suppose.
sufficiently clear. II knows no difference
between persons and sexes. All arc equal
in the eyes OF The law. The rrht OF all
are equal. Prior possession gives a title
10 any particular seat. but nothing else
does. 1t follows that when ladies', or rcn.
ticnlen and ladies', coyet the seat oi an oc-
cuPanl, and propose to get possession of H.,
they should doli' all supcrcious airs, and
approach their victim impIoringy.
For the same reason they have no riwh'
to be offended ii he declines the surrender
On tie other hand, ii lie complies: an equal
degree OF courtesy Oh their part requires
from them an expression of acknuwc,lr.
mcnt, either in language or m,nncr, such
as persons OF good breeding know how to
make, without distressing themselves.
How lar gentlemen VIII yield thor ''rc-
served rights for the benefit OF the fair
and tfosc who accompany l!.cm. each inIi.
viduai must determine Tor himself; and his
decision will very likely depend upon his
good nature at the moment, which again
may depend upon the state OF his nervous
system, and Mnimpnn the circumstances nf
dict, sleep, &c. II, therefore, ladies desire
TO see regular stampede when they enter
the cars, il IS indispensable that they keep
the gentlemen III good humor at home
All gentlemen are more or less under
The influence of the ladies', and should be 50
brought up as TO be civ!l without ol.&cuui-
business; and The ladies should learn to re,
cnive a favor with thankiulues>', aud not as
right. Some oi them, wc are sorry. are
perfect Doors III this !naltcr, ana deserve 10
be deaii with OF tie principles oi rccImo.
city.-tM Y. JoNTmal Of Commerce.