The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-12
Oar Buffalo Correspondence.

Oar Buffalo Correspondent
BUFFALO, August 5, 1852
The Railroad Traceiing Committee The FSds. at
IuakDk-Staie OHccrs on Pleasure Ercia'-
SiCnS, Sc.
During the session of the last Legislature, there
vas intense anxiety manifested in regard to the
numerous accidents occurring very frequently upon
the railroads of this State. Tie calamities which
occurred on the Erie and Hudson River roads, Gre
atad much sensation among the people, ard in both
houses Of the Legislature several indignant speeches
were made. At The time. there appeared to be a
perfect recklessness with regard to human lfe and
the whole community we're alive upon the subject
In the early parb Of TIC session resolution
was adopted in the Senate, requesting the Rail-
road Committee OF that body 10 inYes gaze the
causes Of so many frequent Losses Of life
and limb on board ths ears. This resolution
was adopted immediately after the news was
received of the catastrophe the Ere road,
which tumbltd half dozen cars into the Delaware
river. drowning and manning y number Of pas
seDgers, in the dead Of winter Nothing was heard
frem the committee until an advanced stage of the
session, when upon the occurrence o. the terrible
disaster the Hudson River road, Mr. Senator
Taber brought the subject to the notice Of the Senate
again, and made sone emphatic inquiries whether
the committee had pursued the investigation, as
Directed Mr. Senator Bartlett, the chairmao,
very coolly replied, that the counittec had done
noihing-that they were not possessed Of power to
senc tor persons and papers, and we're not autho-
rized by the SENATE 10 visit the localites-tho
scenes where lhe disasters had ocaurred The Sc.
note then gave tho committee power 70 send for
witnesses and documents but this was also ne
elected Near the close of the session = resolution
was adopted, giving the committee power 10 make
person examination Of all the roads in the State,
and report state of facts 70 the next Legislature.
Thus a summer travelling committee vas coustita-
ted, intrtgsIed with the authority Of the State TO
spend the whole season, at three do,lars each per
day, together with secrotaries, clerks, &c. o take
testimony mnrshals to subpoena witnesses. iootmen,
walters porters, sc g., to take heed 81 aggago
and documents 1biscommittee consists Of Bartlett,
of Delaware, Smith, of Franklin ond Monroe, Of
Onondaga They have been enga ged or this duty,
and understand have travelled over the Northern,
the centre and Southern lue OF roads Nothing was
known of their progress by the public, until they
entered upon the examination Of the Erie road. II
was thin announced III the New lork city prints
that the committee was on certain day to proceed
over that road accompaniedby several distinguished
gentlemen, railroad engineers, and superintend-
ents from other States and other roads in this
State. Several Of our own State officers comprised
portion Of the party, especially the Hon John c.
Wright, Comptroller, and the equally Hon. Wm, J.
NcAlpine, State Surveyor and Engineer. The huY-
ried trip over this road proved peculiarly pleasant
one, so much so, that on arriving az the Loder
House, at Dnnkirk, the delighted party organized
Themselves into n meeting for the purpose Of ten
dcripg their grateful thanks to the Erie Railroad
Company for the kindness and attention SHOWN
them from New York to Dunkirk, all Of course, gra
tuitocsly rendered. At this meeting, we find that
John Wright, the Comptroller Of the State, ever
the most conspicuous guest, was appointed chairman,
and Geo. w Whistler Of the New Haven road, So
cretaIy. A. NJ Doxtater, Of tho Cape Vincent road,
Col. Sohatler, Of the OgdeDsburg, and w. w.
Wright, Of Albany, brother in-law Of the State En-
ginter, and canal and railroad and Black river
tractor, reported set Of resolutions expressing their
qualification, in the most attering and bscQuious
terms, as the following abundantly testifes:-
Resolved That he thanks Of the guests invited to SC
company the Committee Of Examination be rendered to
Mr. ho the Efficient able and popular Superintendent
CT the New loIl and Erie Railroad and to the
panyng Officers, Tor the ndnefs and attention shown TO
the guests and their unremitcd cyerons to render tie
excursion. 1t has been altogether agreeable aud
which with the valuable information furnished by Mr.
the guests to Learn with qualification the great order
guluy and regard for The safety comfort and pleasure
or The traveller with which this road is conducted
Resolved That copy Of these resolutions b. prcsenod
to Mr. Minot and to MI Post and be published l1h
(Sispsa,l JOHN G WRIGHT, Chairman
And here it is pertinent TO inquire the reasons
which induced Mr. Chairman Bartlett to invite the
government officers Of the State Of Now York,
dozen engineers and suterintcndents, and an IN,
known number Of railroad presidents, directors, and
other interested officials, to accompany the com
mittee upon their tour Of inYcstigationl Why did
they announce, in The New York EgDrssS, and other
enter upon the Erie road, in company with
party 81 gentlemen! Why that publicity! Was
It dcno in order that the managers OF the
road would be prepared on that day, at
least TO run the train through without culpablc
negligence CT criminal careJessness Was j,
done to inform Mr. LoJer Of their intention, at
that particular time, to make an inspection Of the
read VII Or. Bartlett allude TO these facts when
mixing bis report to the Senate next January!
There is suspicion resting upon this extraordinary
conduct. The public have right TO expect an
impartial report from the committee; they s6nt
TO inquire into the causes of the many fearful coll
listens which occur; they were 6epu.cd TO make
full and thorough investigation. The first day
they eLcanIed at Flnlira; the second they hold
their levee at the Jo1er House on Erie's shore.
They eded very smoothly over tho road, ard were
securely landed at DunkIk. There was no COLI
eions. 10 deaths, no upsettiDg ears into rivers 10
misplaced switches, While they were on board;
be au so the officers Of the road were OF the purity,
end tie managers on The whole line knew iac pre-
eious cargo on boa the cars.
Instead OF giving public notice, The committee
sLoud have travelled over Tie rJad nan
dozen times, examining al tbe dangerous pass
e., sud rtmsined iacog. until TIC time arriv-
Cd ioI txsmining Witnesses and sending Tor pa
leis Tbs whole matter VIII Provo ridiculous
farce, the railroad companies VIII " Nhitewa,hod,
ald iue tclc,s DC rendered 70 members ofthe Log.
i'httsti ohcal persona gcJ, and other Influential
'lfcuanf iiad pld sssutlzing investigation
mo "a causes y railroad casualties and deaths.
. WY INC reetsd'y y having ihe presence OF
state thrcIs, aro Gao % oiciate Chairman OF the
9ratGl ous i,sii1ittsg The State Engineer br law,
D. arnualr dnCetQ - make full ronort In radiation
10 al tho railroads Tho Comrfroller is Tho nm.
rio fli0rfb whose bands all gate r,,ds arc d.