Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-21
NEW YORK CORRESPONDENCE.

NEW YORK, Jan. IL, 1856.
Rallroad accidents appear to be the bane of
this country. Every arrival of the mails
bring tidings of some dreadful catastrophe,
with heart-rending descriptions of the mutt
lated, and hOrrifying Sufferings of the dying.
If these accidents were confined to one road,
they might be attributed to carelessness; but
their universal recurrence fixes the blame
upon our general railway system. The man
agement Of roads is left to persons most inter-
ested in dividing the profits. Cheapness is
the refore their mode and in their estimation
1T appears to matter little what may befall the
community if the "dividends" are all right
Our railroad bridges appear to be little better
than traps for the wholesale destruction of hu-
man life. Scarcely a shower of rain falls that
some of these are not swept away, and more
lives sacrificed at the altar of railway divi-
dends.
On the Hudson River Road two accidents
occurred near Poughkeepsie, and one by the
sinking of bridge over the Spuyton Devil
creek. By the former, three lives were lost,
and seven badly wounded; by tho latter,
two lives were lost, and nearly all the persons
In one car moro or less injured. The mails
were almost entirely submerged, and came TO
hand dripping wet On every road leading
to New York an accident occurred this week
The cause is attributed TO the late storms;
but as like results follow every storm, the
public will soon learn to discredit tho evasion
A strong reaction, in the tide of public opin-
ion, is taking place, in favor Of Central Ameri-
can affairs The papers that were, at first,
strongest in opposition, now express full faith
in the stability of Walkers government, and
dIlate upon the bright prospects of those in
quest of riches. The country abounds in
minerals and woods of the rarest and most
valuable kinds, it is the central point of the
wOrld'S commerce and rs it must eventually
belong to this country, those who are first there
will have the best chance. In order to afford
every opportunity to those desiring to go there
the Nlcaraguan company have reduced the
fare to twenty dollars. This with the grant
of land given by tho government, induces a
great number to 60 out with every steamer.
The report that Walker was preparing to
attack San Juan del Norte proves entirely I'M
founded.
The last two days have been very mild and
| our sleighing is fast disappearing. According
to the reports Of the clerk Of the weather, on
Brooklyn Heights, we have this season, up TO
date, precisely but three feet and two inches
of snow
An explosion in fire works mandatory
occurred yesterday in Jersey city, by which
| two men were instantly killed. A like &C.
currence happened here last summer; since
| their pyrotechnic establishments have been
| ordered out Of this city.
The second annual message of Gov. Clark
| appeared in the papers this morning. 1t is
| plain, unpretending, business like docu-
| ment, straightforward and practical. By it
we are told that the entire receipts of the
| Eric canal is 1859 1872; that the expenses
were 1853, 1872, leaving a surplus in the trea-
| sury of 81 $50, 900.
There are now in active operation in this
| State 3,2l6 miles Of railroad, including dou-
bic tracks. The whole amount expended in
| their construction and equipment exceeds
| Sl25 600, 900 There have been transported
| over the several railroads in the State during
| the past year 81, SAG l64 passengers and
| 3,4l7 207 tons Of freight The total cost of
| operating these roads was Sl1 $40 OIL, and
| their earnings amounted to $50, S43, 3S5
| L repeat and these figures show it, that more
attention has been paid to secure dividends
than safety TO passengers.
The whole amounts of notes issued TO bank
| ing associations aud individual bankers out
standing on the Doth of September. 1855, was
S4, 4SS 90, for the redemption of which there
were then held by the Superintendent secu-
| rltlos, as required by law, amounting to the
| sum Of SIS, $50, 84S. The total amount maid
| by the State as school expenses, during the
year, was 50, 220,6l8. Total NUM- Der of the
scholars attending schools during the wear
998, 295. '0"'
The number Of emigrants landed at the mort
| OF New York for the year Just closed was
| l56, 253-a little moro than one third of the
number that arrived the year previous.
The total population of the State is 3, 470, 663
of these 65l 81 are voters, and 632 748 aliens
| The entire number Of Indians in our State is
3,645. TECUMsEH.