The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-05

REGULATING THE RAnROADS.-Mr. Wflliamps
of Erie, has introduced bill into tho Assembly
that looks little a. If there were some though
in Albany of making now and then law for
the good of the people. This bill il "ior tho
better protection Of life on railroads" Judg-
ing by the title only, we would suppose that
the author of this bill had glimmerings a. 70
the real functions Of State Legislature; that
he did not think members were sent to Albany
merely to be bought and sold, to concoct
schemes for private advantage only. and that
have no other application to the public except
as they plumber it. We know nothing of the
above bill save its title; but we know that the
presumption is always against bill brought
out at Albany. 1t has first to be proved and
shown that it is not job before any one can
trust it. Our State legislation is, as rule,
such notorious jobbery-every bill has 80 many
corrupt afiliations--that the public is wisely
suspicious of even those whose titles promise
best. But if Mr.. Williams bill is really an
honest attempt to render life safer on the rail-
roads within our State, it deserves the support
and encouragement of the whole community.
We hope it will 60 ahead all right, that it will
apply to all roads equally, and that it does not
cover any job. 1t should contain some provi-
sions to render life tolerable, not to say safe,
on our city railroads. 1t should, at all events,
compel these city roads to adhere to their own
rules, and run according to the regulations
they have made for themselves. Half the dis
comforts of the public on the city cars, and all
the accidents, are due to the violation of the
rules that the companies ostentati0usly print
all over their cars. Nothing is more notorious
than that persons are forbidden to ride on the
platforms, and yet the platforms are never
empty. No one is permitted to enter or leave
the cars by the front platform, and all the acct
dents occur by attempting to enter or by leav-
ing the cars at that point The companies
should be required to enforce their own regu-
lations where they are good. Thus q car should
only have one entrance, and the front door
should be locked by the starter. Then the
chains beside the driver would make the front
platform an inaccessible place. Smoking on
the cars, which is forbidden, but not stopped,
would then be put an end to. 1t Is true the
companies would thus lose the opportunity to
carry six or eight more passengers at crowded
times; but perhaps then they would put on
more cars. Nor should any person be permit
ted to stand on the rear platform whether the
car be full or empty. Ladies' cannot use the
cars at all on account of the crowded state Of
those platforms. They are also the chosen re-
sort of pickpockets. This is so notorious that
two or three men, seen crowded on these plat
forms when there are plenty Of seats, are now
always supposed to be pickpockets. It's GER
tain that the light-6ngered gentry ply their
trade at that favorite point with great success.
On some other points the rules of the cars arc
not so excellent, and these are the rules that
are enforced; but against these the courts fur
nish q remedy. Thus the Supreme Court Of
Brooklyn, few days ago, gave just verdict
of $4,000 damages against the Brooklyn City
and Newtown Railroad, on which Dennis Sheri-
dan, boy, was killed by having been de-
prived Of his seat after he had paid his fare, and
forced by the crowd to the front platform,
from which he fell under the wheel. In some
respects, therefore, the cars may be left to the
courts; but there are many others In which
they need Legislative regulation, and 1t is to bs
hoped that some provisions in reference -
them may find their way into Mr.. Williams'
bill.