New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-07-07
TUESDAYS GREAT MASSACRE.

We give to-day. from our special reporter whom we
atcnce dpatched to the ofthe tragedy the par
tcusrs Of the latest Railroad massacre that we have
been called to record. We refer, Of course, to that
which took place on Tuesday. on the Baltimore and
susauebonna Railroad, Baltimore.
The destruction of life which instantly resulted from
this collision appalling to unprecedented de-
gree, while the manning severe to an extent both
as to the nature of the wounds and the number of the
sufferers, which has no previous parallel There H.
however, one consoing fact about this affair, and
that is afforded BY the prompttude with which the
Coroner verdict has put the blame upon the Railroad
Company, directly well as indirectly-for we see
that while il has been asceraiued that William Scott
one of the conductors of the two trains running
contrary to the special instructions given for the day.
the Company is charged with gross negligence in not
giving the instructions in more explicit language.
But even if the last named fact had not been ascer
tanned there would not have been any good reason to
let the Company hide from responsibility behind the
person of iucfOr. There have been many At
tempts at this sort of subteruge by corporations in
similar eases to allow of it in one Of such magnitude
az this The common law knows no such distinctions
1t considers that what is done through an agent is
done by the principal, and common sense sanctions
this judgment. 1t was the Companys business to Sc
cure the services of competent conductors for their
trains If they have failed to do this, and have, in
reckless disregard of human life, sent forth unfit
agents to put their fellow to death by wholesale
the directors and officers should be held to the strict
est accountability.
But we are informed that there are ample reasons
why neither Of the conductors concerned in this ie T
full collision should have been tolerated on the trains
in that capacity They have both figured before IN
similar affairs; and had they been both dismissed
before without regard to their feelings deserts in
other respects to seek less responsible employ
ment this appalling calamity with its scenes ofincon-
ceyable agony would probably never have occurred
There are some other facts in the history of the
Baltimore and SusquehanBa road. which should not be
omitted in forming an opinion this dreadful occur
renee Tbecurves on this road are very numerous and
dangerous, while in respect Of proper turnouts and
watcbful switcbmen, the company inexcusably de-
>fcent. If we not mistaken or. two disasters
have previously marked the ghborhOod blootlly
sanazed on Tuesday, without giving the Company
any apparent concern about alterations or additions
to the track its appliances The truth is that this
road has earned for itself through series OF detruc
tive collisions unparalleled in number, the reputation
of one Of the most perilOus roads in the whole land
And Notwithstanding this, the management has con-
tnued to evnce niggardly indispostiOn TO put the
track into safe condition. though few thousand dol
lars might to great degree have attained that end
We trust that the public condemna'ion called forth
by the awful event of Tuesday, will be expressed in
maj ner earnest and potent to compel the aban-
donment of this criminal indifference to life, and the
adoption of thorough reform in the conduct of this
CORPORATION.