The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-12
u The Late Railroad Tragedy

The intelligence from Norwalk received since
Monday merely corroborates what W as then pub
lished, without adding any features to the sad
history The coroners jury are enga yed in sitting
from the mass of testimony the whole truth of the
matter. The Legislature has also taken prompt
action on the subject, having sent committee of
scientific men. to make thorough invest CATION
and bill for a public act was also introduced,
providing that railroad companies shall pay the
sum Of $4,000 to the relatives of each person
killed through carelessness or negligence on the
part Of the companies or those in their employ.
The engineer. Edward w. Tucker) swors that
the signal was up, denoing that all ri ght.
On the contrary the bridge tender deposed that he
had lowered the ball about fifteen minutes before
the train went Oft the bridge. His testimony was
corroborated by that of Capt. Ira Ford, resident
Of Norwalk, who saw the train passing.
In regard to the number Of the dead, the New
York Tribune of the 10th says:
sour list Of yesterday made out FORTY. FoUa
kTrongly printed IN editorial paragraph as
forty seyen.) Since that, the body of Dr. vii.
marter, and that OF Michael Reardon have been
recognised. These would make forty six; but
Miss Mitchell is alive, our number stands at
forty live. Yet the Norwalk Garste which
vooches for its list correct differs with US bv
giving as dead John Moss, of Gardiner, Maine
ana female child OF Mrs Harley. neither in
list This would make ours At; from which we
take he doubtful name of Opedock of Worcester
and The whole list is &C. This is the more probable
number"
The citizens of Norwalk held mass meeting
on the 10Th instant TO sympathfze with the suf
ferers, and to take measures for preventing casu-
altiss OF similar nature in future Hon Truman
smith called the meeting to order, and the Hon.
Clark Bisseh presided. Several speeches were
made, and resolutions adopted rendering sympa
thy to the friends Of the killed. and calling upon
the Legislature to adopt more stringent laws in
relation to railroads.
Tucker, the engineer, appears to be Justly charg
able with the principal blame, although many con
denim the President and Directors of the Company
for having such employs, and for not maintain
ing other suitable precautions.
The New York Courier and Eaguirtr, in review
ing The disaster, remarks:
cit may already be regarded as conclusiyely es-
tablished By abundant testimony:
"FDst- That the signal ball was in a position
denotIng that the orawbridge was open, and The
engineer criminally negi gent in not observing
the fact, and governing himself accordingly
Secondly. That the train at the time of the acci.
dent was going at the rate of at least twenty FIVE
miles an hour, speed entirely unsafe in the local.
ity and contrary to the standing regulations of the
road, and therein The cond ucior of the train is Grim
inally cul pable.
"Ihndly. That the signal ball was not adequate |
either In location or in character to the purpose il
was intended to serye-tbst no other means of Civ
ing notice were ever proyided-that it was not only
permitted but even required TO open the draw for
steamboat, though the train due and
momentarily expected; ands by reason of Il ele
facts, the directors of the company are seriously
bameworthy.
''The officials who proved guilty in a case so
fragrant this will not, il is to be believed escape
unpunshed; and il is certain that the company
Itself VIII suffer heavy damage But further Iegis-
laUon against the recurrence of these deeds must
now be regarded as Indispensable -