The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-11

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The intense severity Of the weather which |
we have experienced for the last few days, |
coming as it dses thus early in January, and
on top Of tremendous snow storm, makes it
necessary that we should take the precau-
tions which ito longer continuance, or sud-
den and violent reaction, renders equally ad-
visable. OF these two results the latter is
perhaps the most probable, if we are to credit
Mr. Neriams weather tables. Since Sunday
last, violent northwest wind has continually
prevailed, and according to our great authsri-
ty in those matters, we shall have both
"glow" and "fow" before the equilibrium Of
the temperature is again established. What
ever degree of faith we may be inclined to
place in these predictions, it will do no harm
to prepare ourselves for either Of the agreea-
BILE alternatives which the Clerk of the Weather
may have in store for us.
In the first place, assuming that we are like
" to have continuance OF the present severe
cold for some time, there are certain regula-
tiOns that should be put in force for the pro-
lection and comfort Of the public. The snOw
which has been allowed to CONCEAL and harden
on the pavements, has become positively dan.
gerous for foot passengers, and unless
steps are taken to guard against acct
dents from it, We shall have good
many casualties to record. The occupants
of houses should either be compelled TO have
the snow removed, or they should be allowed
to strew the contents of their ash barrels over
it. This would not only guard against any
present danger, but in the event of partial
thaw and another hard frost it would make an
excellent concrete footpath, which would carry
us safely through these sudden alterations OF
the weather. Another precaution which is Of
vital and pressing Importance, and which forms
the subject of the Mayors last ordinance, the
avoidance of any interference with the stop
cocks of the water pipes Not only should
parties be punished for obstructing the ap-
proaches to them by throwing out filth and
garbage in the streets, but the hydrants should
be kept entirely free from snow, SO that in case
of fire they may be easily got at. neglect
of these precautions would in all probability
bring such another disastrous visitation upon
us as the great fire of 1885. 1t is, therefore,
the duty of all good citizens to see that per-
sons in their employment do not neglect the
provisions Of the ordinance in these important
particulars.
The ferry companies, as is usual where the
public convenience and safety are concerned,
also require to be looked after. The Brooklyn
Ferry Company, availing themselves of the
first pretext to effect miserable economy,
have taken off several of their boats and the
others have been running at long intervals
for the last two days. The consequence is
that the number of passengers accumulates to
such an extent that not only are the ca ms in
conveniently crowded, but the rush of 80
many people on to the chain bridges renders ac-
cidents, such as that which occurred about two
years ago at Staten Island, extremely proba-
ble 1t is only when hundreds of lives are
lost that measures will be taken to compel
the directors to comply with the dictates of
common humanity. Another discreditable
feature of this arrangement is that, in conse-
quence Of the crowded state of the cabins,
numbers Of ladies are to be seea standing,
while persons who call themselves gentlemen,
but whose conduct gives them but small claim
to that title, remain seated-regarding even
with complacent eye the inconvenience sus
tanned by those whose comfort it is their
duty, as it should be their pleasure, to con-
suit.
On one Of the Staten Island boats, short
time since, a friend Of ours was witness to an
occurrence which proves how little care or fore
thought is exercised by these ferry directors to
provide against accidents. A man who was in.
toxicated fell overheard while the vessel was
running, and there being no boat at hand, the
engines had to be reversed, and the course of
the vessel directed towards the spot where the
poor fellow was struggling. In doing this, the
bow ran SO close to him as nearly to carry him
under water and drown him. All passenger
vessels should be compelled to carry small
boats, conveniently slung to their sides, so that
prompt efforts might be made to rescue per-
sans thus critically circumstanced. In this
weather the chances Of such accidents are null
tiplied by the slippery state of the decks and
the impatience of persons to cut short the
delays occasioned by the distractions caused
by the ice.
The1eis another danger resulting from the
present exceptionable state of the weather,
which is Of hourly occurrence, and to which
the attention of the authorities ought to be
directed. We allude to the reckless rate
at which sleighs are driven through the
streets, to the imminent risk, not only of
foot passengers, but of vehicles themselves
We have seen repeated accidents occur
in this way-some Of them of very serious
nature. The police should have instructions
to arrest all parties driving ct more rapid
pace than is consistent with the public safety.
Such are the simple but obviously necessary
precautions that should be adopted to provide
against any heightened continuance of the
nresent fntpnse cold As however II In mt