The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-26

American poiicy.
R.upoAn Observation-Disclosures OF SHORT
CuRyEs.-It is a remarkable fact thst the maJo-
rity of railroad disasters which we have had
to chronicle for some time past occurrsd az
curves in the road. This was so with the acc'-
dents on the Bridgeport, the New London and
the Oil Creek roads. II seems to us that there
is very easy remedy for this There s very
rarely any necessity why curve should be so
short as that train could not be seen ap-
preaching at distance of an eighth, or even a
quarter of mile But it is true that curves
are mostly made SO abrupt through the mis-
taken economy of the railroad companies as to
render collisions inevitable in cases where
trains run out of time. A good system has
regard to drawbridges since the fearful disas-
ter at the Norwalk bridge some years ago, for
which the company had to pay eight hundred
thousand dollars-that is, to bring the trains 10
dead stop on reaching drawbridge, whether
it be shut or open. No accidents have occurred
at the bridges on this line since. A similar rule
has been enforced for some time on the North
the crossings where the two roads meet Each
train is obliged to stop, just as at station,
and cannot proceed until it is ascertained
that the tracks are clear. Therefore a COLI
sion such as occurred al that point some years
ago is impossible. The same regulation could
be put in force with regard to short curves.
The loss of time would be very little, and it
would assuredly be compensated for by the
security to life thus obtained. We would sug-
gest this plan to the railroad companies, and
we would also impress upon the legislatures OF
the different States the necessity OF making
such rule compulsory. 1t would at least
protect the travelling public from one class of
accidents and that the most frequent in the
history of railroad massacres.
TIE CENSUS TRouBLE.-We' publish to-day
several additional communications from both
sides of the census question-from citizens and
census enumerators. The citizens claim that
they have not been called on for any return of
the number of persons in their households; the
enumerators complain that they cannot get the
necessary information at several houses where
gucy lave CdilCuj uHu uuo VIC "PPOoAo
rather mixed. There is no doubt that the
enumerators meet with considerable difficulties,
and that their duty, like that of the tax
gatberer and the consumption clerk, is very
disagreeable one. Many people have acquired
such dislike for any man who comes round
with book in his hand, asking the particulars
of family affairs, that they invariably treat him
as an enemy, and refuse to give him any in
formation. This feeling, of course, has been
increased by the terrors of the draft last year,
which pervaded every household, and also the
not over courteous manner of the generality
of Internal Revenue officials. The census
taker, however, should not be daunted by the
reception he may get but should explain his
business distinctly and wait his opportunity
Until he can obtain the information required.
This is the duty of the census officer, and If he
is not equal to it he should resign in favor OF
somebody who is more competent The diff.
cn,ae. IN the way Of obtaining correct census
are not unconqo~--.