New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-12-11
Railroad Accidents-Precautions.

To me Editors Of The ~ Y. Tribune:
NEw-YoRK, Monday, Dec. 8, 1851.
The recent collisions upon the Hudson
River Railroad furnish good reason to inquire
what can be done TO prevent these fearful ca
.astrophes. which have become so alarmlngly
freopent Of late and how far the cause OF the
same may be reached or removed by legislation.
Public opinion is strongly excited at every re-
newed disaster and deeply censures the COM
pany upon whose road it happens. Let us now
see whether this same public has done ali that
il should to prevent railroad accidents.
The two collisions which have Just now
startled the public mind, were produced prlna-
rily by the refusal Of two Irshmen to pay their
fare The conductor Of the train, very unwisely
IN this particular case, stopped to eject the
men. Now, it is admitted and well known that
that particular train ought not to have been
stopped then and there. Yet, let us inquire what
else that conductor could have DONE and what con-
ductors can do in similar instances. When the men
refused TO pay their fare, should he simply have
passed by them In that case it is clear that he
would have exposed himself and the Railroad Com
pany to the certainty OF similar frauds in future
Unfortunately, such occurrences are quite frequent
On rome Of the roads in this State, the attempt to
defraud the Company OF the usual fare is OF almost
daily occurrence either by the non-payment of 1t
entirely. or by the payment to station less distant
than that desired and intended to be reached. Here,
then the Legislature should interfere. 1t ought not
TO be necessary stop the train to eject the intru-
ders, but the attempt to defTaud a Railroad Com
pany should be made penal ofense and then let
the conductors deliver the offender TO the officers of
=. Al. To-
Not long since, in Madison County, stone weigh
ins some three pounds was thrown into the Express
train, while under full Roadway. This stone demol-
ished one sash entirely, but fortunately missed the
passenger who sat near it. The miscreants who did
this were apprehended, but could only be punished
for misdeme amor, ard the extent of the visitation
On them was thirty days imprisonment, and fine
of ten dollars Now wherein is the spirit that die
taed this crime different from that which fires our
buildings The most severe penalties are imposed
upon the latter oense and something kindred there
to required to restrain mlschievous persons from
committing the tirst-mentioned outrage.
A frequent source of accident is walking on the
track another is found IN distractions Wlifully
placed thereon and still another in cattle straylng
thereon. All of these should be prohibited by the
Legislature, and the commission OF either OF the
aforementioned acts should be made an onerSe
against the laws of the State, and punishable by fine
and imprisonment In the discretion OF the Courtroom
victiDg few examples 1t is believed, would deter
Others from the Preparation ofsimar ofenses, often
done in mere wantonness, and without reflection Of
the evil and fatal consequences that may ensue.
How often is the speed OF passenger train, running
al the rate of 40 4j miles hour checked to pre-
vent running some stray track-walker, who,
slowly moving off the rails, allows the tram to pass
by hun about half its proper speed The time
thus lost has I've mncc up NJ - greatly increased
ratio thereby adding materially to the DANCE! oil the
| Train, and It's passengers Continual annoyance is
experienced and frequent accidents occur from cat.
ale on the rails Some viii say that the roads should
be fenced This is true, but cat should not be al
lowed at large either. AT public road cross
ings and in villages and towns, this evil is the most
| felt. High speed cannot be attained with safety
where the velocity OF the train has TO be constantly
checked to avoid running over persons or cattle on
| the tracks. The strainlng Of axles and wheels by
these sudden applications OF the brakes renders them
more liable TO break, and thus produce one OF the
worst forms Of accident.
In Massachusetts, and in England the troubles and
dangers of which speak are provided against, and
Temeded by stringent legislation, and 1t is believed
that similar evils might be prevented In this State
g. r.