The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-18
The Ttnder Mcrcies of the Camden aud
AmbOv COmUany.

Amboy Company.
The Camden and Amboy Railway Company
have let the public know, in an official report,
how we'll they are satisfied with themselves.
They see nothing in the late accident to regret
or apologize for. Everything was managed, in
their opinion in the best way: the brakeman,
conductor and engineer kept the best possible
lookout; the train was run at the right speed;
the whistle was properly sounded; the railway
agents did their duty well; the regulation
authorizing trains to run in opposite directions
on the same track was the best sort Of regula-
ton; and everything from the management of
the engine to the killing Of the passengers was
done in the most complete and through man
ner. This is the answer the Camden and AM
boy Company make to an indignant public,
when summoned to account for the valuable
lives lost on their road.
IT must be received, it is true, with grain
of salt as the plea Of a culprit, to whom the
law secures the privilege of denying his guilt
till it is proved. 1t must be remembered that
the Camden and Amboy Railroad is the de-
PENDANT in not q few heavy lawsuits and that
any admissions it might make at the present
time might be used with good effect against
it. However deeply conscious the directors
may be of their guilt, they dare not admit it
in print.
Passing over this ground Of exception to
come to the merits of the defence itself, it is
apparent at glance that the position assum-
ed by the company is not tenable. All that
is said about the engineer, conductor and
agents may be correct; but no amount of i'm
pudence or argument can convince this COM
munity that q regulation directing trains to
run in opposite directions on the same track
at the same time is either proper or safe 1t
is very true that it may happen in very many
cases that the conductors may see each others
train in time, and back so as to avoid acct
dent; but regulation which leads to such a
contingency is neither more nor less than q
counting Of disaster. A thousand mishaps
may occur-the conductors may not see each
other in time, a flaw in the machinery may
prevent one of the trains from braking up
at the proper moment, a cart or carriage
may cross the track not expecting the return
OF the train-in any such case, collision or
other accident of the most fatal description
is almost certain 10 follow These are contin-
gencies which it is the especial duty of rail
road managers to foresee. They are not I'M
likely or remote; on the contrary they are
imminent and clearly open to foresight. When
therefore q railway company wilfully neg
lects them and establishes regulations in total
disregard of them, it is safe to hold it respon-
sible for all the consequences
There is no law in New Jersey under which
the Camden and Amboy Railroad could be
compelled to build second track, or to fence
in the present one, or to forbid trains running
in opposite directions on the same track at the
same time. II would be futile to hope for the
passage of any such law, As the law stands,
SO it must remain until Jersey is free. The
only plan, therefore, by which the people of
these States, and those in the Jerseys who have
not sold their souls to the monopoly, can COM
pei this railroad to adopt the precautions re-
quired for the safety Of life, is to make il its
interest to do So That can only be effected by,
imposing the heaviest damages on the COM
pany for the mischiefs it has already wrought.
Once more then do We eyhort all who have
lost relatives or received injuries by the recent
accident TO proceed with discretion and under
good advice. Let no time be wasted in bring
ing actions in New Jersey if the Coroner's
jury, with the bleeding corpses in their sight
and the widowed survivors wailing in their
ears could render the souless verdict they
gave, i Is quite hopeless to expect that another
jury wculd give any damages at all. Blot
JeIe ey out from among the seats of Justice.
Let I've actions be brought here or at Pbila-
lelphia, and he property Of the company at
ached VIII, 'reyer the suit is commenced. The
VIII find that it is not 50 easy 10 |
my New York a. New Jersey. II will take q |