Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-12-06

THE CASE AGAINST THE ORANGE AND
ALEXANDRIA RAILROAD CoNPANr. John Schulz,
James Doyle, Robert Hinzman, L. J. Gilbert, II.
Peytsn.on' and x a. sM az oo emp wsGs
brought before Justice walter yesterday, charged
with running train Of cars through the streets
Of Washington, thereby endangeriug the lives OF
the citizens. The warrant was issued BY Jus
tice Walter q few days ago. The trial took
place In the criminal court room at the CITY
Hall Messrs A. @. Riddle, Gen. II. II. Wells,
and VIM. b. Webb appeared as counsel for the
railroad company, and Jos. II. Bradley, IT,, for
the Corporation.
superintendent Richards was also present at
the trial, and occupied seat with Justice wal
ter.
Mr.. Bradley stated that he proposed to ascer-
tain whether, according to section OF an act OF
Congress passed July 10, 1852, amending an act
Of Congress passed August l, 1851, an offence
had been committed by gentlemen running traius
of the Washington and Alexandria railroad
through the streets and avenues Of Washington,
and whether, by so doing, the health and lives OF
the citizens Of Warrington are endangered.
Mr.. Riddle commended there was no law OF
Congress to prevent the company from running
their cars through the streets
Mr.. Bradley quoted from the act organizing the
Metropolitan Police, making 1t the duty Of the
officers to prevent the running Of any ferry boat
or the existence OF any slaughter-h house detrl-
mental to the lives or health OF the citizens.
Mrwebb quoted an act OF Congress amending
the charter OF the Orange aud Alexandria road,
passed March 3, 1863 granting said company the
privilege TO extend their road across the Long
Bridge, and along Maryland avenue to First
street west, along First street west TO Indiana
avenue, aud thence to the b fillmore depot, sub
ject, however, to amendment or repeal.
John R. Eyans wassworn for the CorPoratioo,
and testified that he lived on Maryland avenue,
on the line Of the road. During the year 1885 the
trains had run ss high as twenty Ave miles per
hour on that avenue. Since the accident the
trains had run at 4 moderate speed.
Goodwin Pierce, sanitary officer Of the Fourth
ward, testified that he did not know John Shull
or Robert HinIman. He arrested conductor
named Doyle, and an engineer named Gilbert, On
train, and the conductor was at the Adams de
livery Office Gilbert was running the train at .
slow speed. None Of the trains moved fast after
the accident. Saw them run faster than a mar
could walk-more than four miles an hour.
Since the accident, signals have always beer
used before the trains, and the bells rung.
DR.. Allen and DR.. r. g. Croggon were also ex
amined as to the rate Of speed at which the carr
DR.. Howard, for the defence, testified that h
saw the trains moving every morning and even
ing Previous to the accident he did not see any
one In front Of the car with nag, but he coulS
see lights. Since the accident, had seen q mai
In front Of the trains with lights. On the morn
ing OF the accident he went out with q lantern II
his hand. He then saw the train coming slowl,
with 4 light, which he supposed was on the cars
and heard the bell ringing did not suppose they
were running more than three or four miles PEI
hour. They had run, since the accident, only
about three or four miles per hour
Mr.. M. II, Grouse, George kraft, Geo M
Palmer, J. ]. Smith, Mr.. Mccullough and DR.
Baum testified for the defence in regard to the
rate Of speed, the ringing Of bells, &c.
Mr.. Riddle said he had three or four witnesses
yet, aud he would desire to have the case held
over SO that they might be brought forward Il
testify.
Gen. Wells said he thought the case had beef
brought against the company for using steam
but evidence had been Introduced here to show
carelessness and neglect. They were willing l.
ba reetficted even to three miles per hour, III de