Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-11-29

central Railroad and sunday Trains.

Central Railroad md Sunday Trains.
The annual meeting Of the Stockholders of this
Company was held in this place on the 2lst-
Among other matters brought before the meeting
was the propriety Of disseminating Sunday trains.
The attention of the Company was directed 10
the subject by the repor, of a committee that had
been appointed at a meeting of the Stockholders
list s ring. TO examine The Whole subject of trans
plrtaiion upon the road. This Committee made
an able and elaborate report, pointing out sundry
abuses and defects, and recommending many i'm
provemens in this important branch OF the business
of the road Not the least important of their re-
c,mmendatioas was that Sunday trains be discor-
tinued Yet. notwithstanding the fact that this
committee and also the Superintendent of Trans
poraton in very decided terms urged upon the
company their dscontnuance the Stockholders re-
fused To adopt resolution requiring their stop
page, but contented themselves with simply rec
commencing the subject To the favorable cOnSide
ration Of The Board OF Directors.
have no means of knowing the reason that intlu
enced those who voted against the propositun.-
But we have never yet heard any reason or argu-
ment in favor of running Sunday trains that was
in any degree satisfactory to our minds. We
think it highly discrediable to the State that up
on all the Railroads within her borders the quiet
Of the Sabbath is disturbed by the rattle OF the
rushing train and the shrl whistle of the steam
engine.
In pecuniary point Of view the Company de-
rive no advantage from Sunday trains. The re-
port of the Superintendent shows that they do not
defray the expense of running them. I'll report
also stated the fact that injury to stock is more
apt to occlr On Sunday than any other day, be
cause large Numbers of work-oxen aud mules are
cr consideration entitled to weight which we will
state here.-On Sunday negroes and other idle
persons are disguised to congregae at the stations
and along the road, thus enhancing in high de-
gree the liability to accidents Of serious nature.
We have yet made no reference TO the moral
aspect of this question: nor do we feel ourselves
competent to the task Of discussing it in a manner
worthy its Importance but if we were, and had
the time. we scarcely deem il necessary for we
are satisfied that the moral sentiment of the peo-
pie is decidedly against this dissertation of the
trains to the statute book. where they will find
the sentiments Of the people of Virginia on the
observance of Sunday embodied in the form Of law.
II is often urged in favor Of running Sunday
trains, that their discontinuance would subject the
public 10 great Inconvenience. Now, in settling
any great moral question this thing of convenience
is not entitled to the slightest weight. Once ad-
nit the plea Of convenience as sufficient TO usti-
| fy violation of the Sabbath, and you throw the
door open To universal dissertation of that day
! There is no class or individual who would not of
ten find it both to his convenience and interest
sometimes to disregard the Sabbath. Take the
farmer, for example, who in busy season of the
year, with large quantity of grain or hay just
ready To be housed, often feels the observance Of
| IH0 CduudtH do oV'H ~" NO ~""'
nience and interest. In the uncertainty of the
weather day may be of incalculable value Ia
him; yet, if his conscience is not sufficient 10
make him regard the day, the law comes to its
aid, and enforces its observance. For what rea-
son then, when no other classes are allowed 10
pursue, on that day, their ordinary avocations,
should these great corporations with their exc!u-
sive privileges, be permitted both 10 disregard the
express command of the Almighty and trampe
under foot the laws of the Commonwealth r
Ought the Company to be surprised that when
they, in their corporate capacity, are habitaally
violating the fourth commandment Of the deca-
ogue. some Of their employees should occasional
| y forget strictly 10 observe The eighth
We hope the Board of Directors will not hest
tate forthwith to discontinue Sunday trains. We
feel confident they will be sustained in this course,
not only by the community generally, but also by
the Stockholders; for we cannot believe that the
recent action of the Company indicates any set
tied opinion on its part in favor of continued vi
olatiOn of the Sabbath.