The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-01-03

flights Of Rdilavay Passengers circum-
stance which took place in one Of the cars
OF the Hudson River Railroad Company on
Christmas day, and in which lady was in
yolved, suggests some inquiry respecting the
rights of passengers in railway cars. The
facts are as follows:
Scene l. A lady and gentleman occupied
one of the seats, and the former, fair
blonde, who might be married or single, &C
cording to circumstances, being at suita-
Bile age for either Of these happy conditions,
persisted in keeping the window open, much
to the discomfort and annoyance of an elder
ly and respectable looking gentleman in the
seat behind her. The wind blew in almost a
gale, causing great fluttering Of the rib
bons and tinery of the fair one, and threat
ening to inflict a cold, cough and possibly
incipient consumption upon the elderly gen
tleman IN question.
Elderly gentleman, after several remarks
to his 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's COM
pany to put the window down, and met with
a refusal. Evidently little riled, he under
took to put it down himself; lady's gloved
hands resisted, but masculine strength was
too much for them, and the window 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 was stakeholder land
was told that it was none of her business
Several of the gentlemen CALAMITY said they
thought the lady had right to have the
window up. Lady said she thought so too,
''aid aohat is more aciU haze 1t ap;" and
SUjtinor the action fa ha word If went
with an emphasis.
Scene 2.-Conductor appears collecting
tickets. Elderly gentleman appeals to him
to have the window put down. Conductor
politely speaks to lady about it. She says
it must not be put down. Several gallant gen
tlemen, among them some disting uished New
York merchants, interfere, and declare the
window shall not 80 dozen. Elderly gentle
man threatens to report Conductor if he don't
put it down. Lady threatens to report Con
duetor If he does put it down. Several gen.
tlemen declare that he cannot put it down.
Conductor, thinking discretion the better
part OF valor tells them to eight it out" and
leaves the car. Thus the lady triumphed, as
ladies always do in such cases.
The above is a clear statement of real
case. Now, which was right-legally we
mean-or according to railroad regulations?
Most gentlemen can easily determine what
ehey "ouiu nave uoue-tAey Wouiu nave leiC
their seat and found one elsewhere, or re-
NAMED standing, rather than quarrel with
lady. But what were the rights OF the
parties?
The comfort of railway passengers depends
more on the courtesy and politeness Of the
parties than upon mere abstract legal rights.
A proper regard for the convenience and
comfort of others will prompt either gem
tleman or lady to conform to their wishes, in
all ordinary circumstances; 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 a
to surrender at once Jour. Com,