Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-10
M IS CELLA N Y .
Rights of halfway Passengers.

A circumstance which took place in one of the
cars of the Hudson River Railroad Company on
Christmas day, and in which lady was involv
ed, suggests some inquiry respecting the rights
of passengers in railway cars. The facts are as
follows:
Scene 1. A lady and gentleman occupied one
of the seats, and the former fair blonde, who
might be married or single, according to circum-
Stances being at suitable age for either of these
dow open, much to the discomfort and annoy
ance of an elderly and respectable looking gen.
tIeman in the seat behind her. The wind blew
in almost gale, causing great f1uttering of the
! ribbons and fnery of the fair one, and threaten
ling to inflict cold, cough, and possibly incip-
lent consumption upon the elderly gentleman in
question.
Elderly gentleman, after ssyeral remarks to
bis friends loud enough for the lady to hear, and
| in which he spoke his mind rather freely about
| the discomfort imposed upon him, asked the
gentleman in the lady company to put the wiz
| dow down, AID met with q rsffIsaI. Evidently
q little rsled, he undertook to put it down him
| self; laGy's gloved hand resisted but masculine
strength was too much for them, and the win
dow came down with bang. Lady declared
that she paid for her seat and had right to
raise the window. Elderly gentleman said she
had no right to cause Inconvenience to others
Lady asked if elderly gentleman was q stock
holder, and was told that it was none of her
business. Several gentlemen CALAMITY said they
thought the lady had right to have the win
dow up. Lady said she thought so, too, "azd
sOhat is MORE IaoiU hare 1t up,' and suiting the
action to the word, up it went with an emphasis.
Scene 2. Conductor appears collecting tickets.
Elderly gentleman appeals to him to have the
window put down. Conductor politely speaks
Ito lady about it. She says it must not be put
down. Several gallant gentlemen, among them
some distinguished New York merchants, inter-
fere, and declare the window shall not 90 doaon.
Elderly gentleman threatens to report Conductor
il he don't put it down. Lady threatens to re-
port Conductor if he does put it down. Several
gentlemen declare that he cannot put it down.
Conductor, thinking discretion the better part of
valor tells them to flight it out" and leaYes the
car. Thus the lady triumphed, as ladies always
do in such cases.
Now, which was right-legally we mean-or
according to Railroad regulations2 Most gen
tlemen can elsily determine what they would
have done-they would have left their seat and
found one elsewhere, or remained standing, ra-
ther than quarrel with lady. But what were
the rights Of the parties9
The comfort of railway passengers depends
more on the courtesy and politenessk6f the par
ties than upon mere abstract legal rights. A
proper regard for the convenience and comfort
of others will prompt either gentleman or lady
to conform to their wishes, in all ordinary cir
cumstances; but if any are SO rude as to refuse
this, it is far better to allow them the enjoyment
of their perverseness than quarrel over it, And
when there is lady in the case, the only pru
dent course is to surrender at once.-y0ur. Com.