The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-08
SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 8. 1853.

New York for IBost Luckily Twas detained in Phiadel
phis another half dsv and thus escaped being in tn
train yesterday morning need hardly say am thankful
But now It becomes all Of us put our shoulders to th
Wheel and see what can be done to prevent these re
peated and dire dsgraceful results OF carelessness
createdGod forbid should be thought TO say by de
and inexperience.
There does not exist another man, that ever mt OF
heard Of who has travelled more over this globe h
myself and from observation, have carefully watched
the systems and conduct OF the mode of
different countries, and feel compelled to owledge
much carsIessnesc and want Of system as In the travel
ling Of this country. Caused by whatS Not lack Of
desire Of the owners to perfect the arrange
base in the construction thereof 1t is glaring fact
that large number Of those employed on the roads,
and the actual moving pert Of the affair." (Which to travel
totally unfit, either in point of education
ception tried stability, and sudent knowledge Of
II snot sufficient for me- to venture zpon railroad or
steamboat to risk my ne and to know that life is
snt;ustsd to the care Of man Or men who seem to think
Of piece of machinery and let 1t go-snnd there until
il is requisite to turn it agsin-and then it stops No,
sir. In other countries the engineer Is Of impor
tancea mechanic in its true important and
spected man. We do not select Jack Bill, or Tom, to
navigate and take charge of ships-we select man
who from education and experience watches every move
and does not trust two three but has his
requisite to prevent danger at least to grapple it. 1t
but neither engineers nor aids are the kind Of men
who ought to b placed in such responsibe position
that which hazords the lives Of sometimes hundreds
Of anxious travellers. repeat very many of the
employed TO gil these responsible situations incom
peent from want of experience education 1t is not
sufficient for me that conductor or an engineer is
courteous man. from his evident desire to do his duty
is considered an indefatgable want not his
tesyt Is his duty to be civil; want an experienced
man to have charge Of my lie His cleverness desire
to perform the duty entrusted to him. s not sufficient
for me. want man whose knowledge Of his duty is
men not employed, and are hard to get; but still
railroads are made, trains sent andnI despcrandn-
hit or miss; lucks all" We and arrive, or lives
badly pvt into practice, which, extensive ira
weller, am compelled to put up WITH not knowing, in
even a common degree Of confidence, whether shall
reach my destination in saety This is fearful and
begin now to dread taking journey; and not 10 do
must starve because my business compes me to be al
What is to be done You dear sir your sacred 20.
siton Of editor Of widely circulated and much read
pending dangers Yon have serious duty 70
and may do much good Lot longer talk Of what Is
bad, but see II 1t be improved and find out what is
required, and have it. The systems Of conducting the
railroads in France Germany-but most Of all In Eng
snd-are very perfect Seldom do accidents occur and
II they do, need hardly tell you how they are dealt
with Lot net delay this, waste your valuable CO.
lunns with too much comment upon what We know ex,
iats-want Of system, care and want OF experienced
officers but them to obtain these essentials at
and 1t please you, will give you series OF articles
giving my views and experience from observation OF the
duties OF the different departments on raroans anc
steambsats From first to last system is ineffective
The want Of dscipnethat great stronghold Of all pub
lie bodes-dscipns is not in railroads or If 1t be
it is inefficient Tho government must $ take up th
maDgled matter" and give at least. such protection
as they can, by compulsory laws to oonduct US wit,
ability journeys See the reformation the govern
mont has reached in the steamboat travelling on tn
southern and western waters We scarcely hear Of 9
blow up adays for reasons briefly tcld They hsy'
been compelled to such measures, as have prevent
ed much loss of life and property. Good God to re
aeot and know, that in two weeks have escaped from
fearful DEATH and that nearly hundred lives have beer
ssrfced bes dss MANNED numbers, and grief incalcu
Abie, impartedt e~ee
this letter be deemed worthy Of your inserting,
my psrenes will be 81 service to you, will with plea
sure Communicates further the subject Of railroads
Inn, dear sir, yours very respectfully, W. h. j.