New-York tribune., 1868-04-16

(assuming this to- be the real cauSe), the iron
used for the track is of quality unfit for such
purpose. While the Railway Kings are
diyerting the people here in New-YOrk by
their legal war; their agents are sending the
public to sea in rotten ships; they are risking
the lives of thousands of travellers upon rails
that are mere traps for their victims; they are
saving a few cents pound upon iron by
using that which they ought to know, and
doubtless do know, is inferior and dangerous.
Had this wretched bar of iron broken under
the forward wheels of the locomotive, the whole
train would have gone to destruction. AS it
is, we presume the directors and managers
of the road are more than satisfied with the
results.
We do not desire to judge upon er parte
testimony. 1t is possible that explanation and
investigation may modify what we now sup
pose to be the facts Nothing would be more
gratifying to us than to be satisfied that this
sad catastrophe is absolutely an accident, one
that no reasonable foresight could prevent
But that remains to be shown. Yet it matters
not how nor why the rail broke; if safety, or
something approaching safety, can be secured
by taking up every rall on the road and
putting down better quality of iron, or even
the best quality of steel, the work should be done
at once. No matter about the expense. No
saving of dollars can atone for loss of life; no
double or treble dividend can relieve these
common carriers of the responsibility devolving
upon them. Their first next, and last duty to
the public is to secure as nearly as human in
genuity and unstnted expense can do so, the
personal safety of passengers. 1t may IN some
degree mitigate the offense to plead the uncon-
trollable effects of the elements-and yet, since
these effects of heat and cold are known and
easily measured, to run in defiance of their
contingencies is inviting disaster. In the
present case, if accounts are correct, it was at
least hazardous in any condition of the weather
to run along that crooked track, cut into the
side of a mountain, at such high speed. 1t does
seem as if there was want of care; but that
must be shown hereafter.
There is, however, one feature for which no
excuse nor apology can be offered. number
of victims were burned 10 death in the ladies
car. Whether first killed by the fall down the
bank, of course we do not know But it is one
of those awful events that must be prevented
at once, and ef1ectually. Either the manner OF
heating cars must be 80 arranged that coniia-
grafton shall be impossible, 0r-what is much
bettcr-thc cars should be made wholly OF
wrought iron and glass. with not so much as
door or window frame or any infammable
substance. The public have not recovered from
the shock of the horrible picture of armless
and headless bodies roasted at Angola in the
Internal fire of wooden cars, when another ter
ror of the same kind chills their blood HriH
not do 10 irife uih this matter; the people and
the Legislatures must take up the work. We
must insist upon protection the child whose
mother was burned at Angola. the mother whose
child was roasted at Cars Rock, cry aloud
not for vengeance, as in another age
they wOud-but that no more such
horrible events shall crush hearts yet
untouched and sink deeper in repro
baton those'who assume the solemn response
bities of managing these great highways OF
travel. These voices must be heard. Cease
your wranging over the control of Western
communications, and go in reverential sorrow
aud promise of better doing 10 the funerals of
these victims Leave Chicago and st. Louis
and Timbuctoo and Yokohama TO others, and
attend to your own legitimate business Here
are men, women, and children who trusted you
to carry them safely over your road, paid their
fares, and took your word as their security.
Where are they' Look at the mangled corpses
at Port JEWS, and answer upon your honor If
you are not to great degree responsible for
the blood Of these victims
One word to passengers, and we have done
for the present. If you take passage in
wooden car (and of you must, since
iron cannot be substituted in momenD, and
find fire in it, put ont the fire pitch the
stove ont the window, if need be it is better to
freeze than to be roasted TO death. There are
other methods of warming cars, and the COM
panies must use them. We must have no more
roasting alive, however seriously the dividends
may suffer.