Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-05-10
RAILROAD ACCIDENTS.

hh1LhOaD4 ACCIDENTS. =.
There have been no less than half dozen
hairoaa casualties within the last week, resulting
IN some forty deaths and in serious injury to about
one hundred persons. These disasters, occurring
simultaneously with the tidings of the fearfully
destructive loss OF the Independence on the Pacific
suggest me necessity OF greater foresight and pre-
caulion than has hitherto been exercised. To
this end we proffer the following suggestions:
The causes of Railroad Accidents may be classed
under three heads: L. Those IN which no one is
IN fault 2. Those wherein the victims suffer
through their own imprudence and folly; 8. Those
wherein the fault is in the management and run
Ing OF the Road. Carefully scrulinized, il will! be
found that very few disasters belong to the first
class. and great majority to the third. Once in
year, Tree or a rock NAV be suddenly thrown up
on Rail-track just ahead of train, or cattle get
upon II IN some manner which implies no lack of
vigilance IN the management; but nine tenthS of
the cases OF accident from the breaking Of wheels,
aXeS, &C., are the result of gross careleSsneSs or
criminal negligence. The wheels and axles that
give way were either made of inferior iron at a
second-rate shop, and adopted without adequate
security and testing; or they were kept i'll use
without that frequent and rigid inspection which
they ought to have received.
AS to those accidents which result from the
cuipaole selt.exposnre OF the victims, especially
by walking on the track, the Press mas been en-
urely TOO lenlent toward the unfortunate Offend
erS. 1t should constantly be kept before the pub
lie that a Railway track is not thoroughlare but
aprlvate property which no man can traverse ex-
cept at highway crossing without committing
culpable trespass. You may be ,ciHing TO risk
your own life, butyou have no rightto hazard even
that, much less those of others whom you put in
jeopardy with their consent, and in violation of
every principle OF justice. Walking or standing
on n Railroad, or even lettering anl Skylarking
abont II, ought to be miSdemeanor at law, and
visited with rigid punishment. Such provision
would save many lives and prevent some OF the
frequent collisions and other casualties which have.
their origin in trains getting behind time, through
delays occasloned by persons on the track. and
then hurrylng out of time TO reach place OF
meeting As to the large class of casualties which
result from bad management or the bad conduct
OF Railway subordinates, we would III. that
l. NO man should be trusted with a switch,
brake, much less draw bridge, who is not intel
ligent, capable, and every way reliable 1t is
criminal parslmony to impose such Responsibility
on topeI, blockheadl or ignorumus, merely be-
cause he will work cheaper than man fit for the
post. Hundreds of lives have been sacrificed
Though disregard of this PLAIN dictate OF common
sense. a.a..-sl
2. No man should be expected TO guide his con-
duct by verbal directions in any foreseen contin-
gency. The bridge tender, Switchman,, brake
man, should commence his duties by carefully
coming and committing TO memory written or
printed directions for. the proper discharge of his
duties, which directions he should be required to
keep ever at hand and read at least once per day.
| B. The utmost foresight and energy should be
employed to guard against the fruitful source OF
disaster, trains behind time. In almost every case
OF accident, trains behind time is involved in it,
Take more time, run fewer trans, have extra en-
glnes in readiness, redouble exertIon-in short do
anythlng--rather than allow trains 10 get behind
Their regular time.
4. In every case of accident, report by the
conductor l.. charge OF the train, or. in case f his
death, the engineer or, if both he killed. the diys-
ION superintendent, should be required by law 10
be made Forthwith 10 the Secretary of State, sworn
to by the author as containing true account OF
the disaster, and of all its causes, so far as he
/
municated 10 the nearest newspaper that will is
sue 1t forthwith and correct copy mailed in (lu-
plicate TO the State Department.
| g. Let the law prescribe moderate penalty for
any misconduct or culpable careleSsness resulting
IN Railway casualty, and let the penalty be in
| leXibly exacted.
We believe the adoption and enforcement Of
these plain rules would greatly diminish the fire.
9uency OF Railroad disasters, and render travelling
by Railroad comparatively sale. If any one can
suggest better let them be forthcoming.
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WASHINGTON RAcEs.-Some Democrat, with q
joval spirit, and keen sense of the ridiculous
writes from Washington to the Newburyport
Union. He narrates the following incidents:
The other day short fat gentleman, from Essex
South, attempted TO stop General Gushing as he
was starting for another part of the city on specai
Applicant.-'Gen. Cushing!'
Gen. C.--'Ahl glad TO see you-understand
the matter-have the greatest respect for you.
Good morning.
Applicant-tJust one mnute-I want to see
you very much.'
Gen. C.-Shau be back in half an hour; or
you must go with me- running.
The applicant, an old stager, declares he will
go with him, and out they shoot from the bac
door. over the gardens, the fat man painting aud
trying to talk, and the Attorney General striking
bee line for his destination. AT last the asth-
inetic catches breath and cries out:
Cant stand this any longer! must give up
Sorry to lose your company replies the Gen
eral, 'but business is pressing.'
!. The fat man holds post, gasps two or three
times terrible night succeeds, and he declares
that he will not be found on the truf again, pited
against such mettle. aa- =..
CHATTER OF RAILROAD AccrpENrs-Satur-
urday evening, at Painville, nine miles this side
OF Cincinnati, the night train coming north on the
M II X, ran over man named Garfield who
was lying on the track. His legs were severed in
two or three places, and he was very nearly dead