Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-05-19
Railroad Penalties.

Railroad Penalties.
The recent shocking disaster on the New
York and New Haven Railroad, will, it is
hoped, be the means of arousing the public
to the Importance of having and enforcing
some more stringent laws for the protection Of
human life. The gigantic influence of railroad
corporations throughout the country has rem
dered existing laws on the subject in a great
measure nugato-y, SO that of late it has been
difficult to obtain from jury verdict of dam
ages of sufficient amount against a corporation
to serve as durable lesson against carelesness.
The idea has become prevalent that railroad
of retributive justice from jury awards-that
the public have been unreasonable in requiring
so large sums to pay for breaking the bones Of
passengers, and that more lenity must be
shown to the corporation and less to the ind :
vidua'. This has caused recklessness in the
management Of railroads, and cost hundreds of
lives.
Now, the only remedy is to go back to the
starting point, and make the corporations
know to certainty that the loss of life by
negligence or carclessness must abstract thous-
ands of dollars from the corporation purse
True, money cannot pay for life sacrificed; but
here is the only place to cause feeling, and en-
sure more careful management in the time to
come. We are very glad to learn the following
fact of the effect Of carelessness and trifing
vuif hpr g. ~
Haven Railroad stock. 1t is pretty severe
lesson or the importance of employing proper
engineers:
Ne,O York and Ne,u Haren Stock.-New
York papers state since the disaster this stock
has declined from IA 1-2 to los. If so, this
is equal to SO so per share, or 1885 900 on
the whole capital of 10000 shares. This is
equal 10 three semi.annual dividends. The
previous price Of the stock had, however,
been very high for road earning less than
six per cent. The damages resulting from
the accident are variousiy estimated by the
New York papers at from 100000 to AGO.
600.
Not only the Connecticut Legislature seem
awake to the necessity of more stringent laws
for the regulation of railroads to insure the
safety of passengers, but the Massachusetts,
Legislature are directing their attention to the
subject. Railroad influence in Massachusetts
is powerful but we hope it will not be able to
defeat the following act which has Just been
introduced in that bo1y:-
railroad bridges.
BE il enacted, &c.
Sec. l. No engine, car, or train of cars.
while IN use for the transportation of passen-
gers, or any railroad in this common wea lth.
shall be allowed 10 pass over any drawbridge
on such railway at greater speed than at the
rate of six miles per hour; and in approach
ing any draw-bridge on any such railway,
and before crossing the same, such engine
aad cars shall in all cases he brought 10 full
stop at distance Of not less than one hun
dred feet and not exceeding three hundred
feet from the draw Of such bridge; provided
that such engine and cars shall not be re-
CURED TO stop as aforesaid between the draw
ofany bridge and any railroad depot, when
the distance between such draw and such
railroad depot Shall moi exceed three huns
dred feet.
Sec. 2 Ifany engineer or other person
of any engine connected with any passenger
car or train of cars shall violate any provis-
sion o. the preceding section, he shall, on
| conviction, be subject 10 fine not exceed
ing five hundred dollars, or to imprisonment
IN the state prison or house of correction for
term not exceeding three years, and no
person convicted as aforesaid shall hereafter
be employed by any railroad corporation in
The running, management, or control OF its
engines or cars. or any Of them.
| Sec. g. Before the draw, in any railroad
bridge, shall at any time be opened, and I'M
Ill such draw be closed, one or more persons,
provided with proper signals, shall be sta
! toned at the extremties of such bridge,
whose duty il shall be 10 give notice to any
approaching train Of cars that such draw 10
open, or about TO be opened
Sec. a. 1t shall be the duty Of every rail
road corporation i'm this commonwealth to
give clear and distinct instructions conforma-
bic to the provisions of this act, 10 all persons
having charge or control Of the running or
motive power on it's railway, and if any such
corporation shall neglect or fail to give any
such instructions as aforesaid, or shall know
ingly employ any person contrary 10 the pro-
vision of the second section of this acl, or
shall neglect TO fail to keep persons stationed
as provided in the third section of this act,
snch corporation shall be subject for each Of
fence to fine or penalty not exceeding five
thousand dollars.
Sec 5. Nothing in this act contained shall
be construed to diminish or impair any Of the
duties or liabilities of any railroad corpora
ton, under the existing law of this common
| wealth.
The bill was lead twice and ordered 10 be
printed.