The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-24
Cala,nities -Inquests.

In this country there is remarkable M
difference to loss of life and Of property b!
calamities. When an accident occurs. ana
the injury done is asccrtaincd, the pup'',
has little further curiosity about II. "h"
leave those upon whom il directly 'ai's 10
con<o,o themselves rs best they may "Hhe
no ono raises the question as 10 INC n'''.
of the calamity. whether II was not due' III
whole or in part, to some cause or CAUSE
which MIGHT in future be guarded agalh>' :
Tins society shows itself exceedingly oh''-
vious to questions involving the P"oh'
safety OF life and property.
When an accident happens by "h'ch
either life or property is lost. there shouid
he a thorough investigation of the causes OF
il, and iurv of intelligent men should,
upon the testimony obtained. form delib-
crate conclusion. to he filed in the proper
office. The vcrdictS thus obtained might
form the basis Of laws that would help to
secure that protection for the community
which it was the object of the union of all
under the body polite to obtain.
This sort Of inquiry on behalf Of the peo-
pie should embrace all sorts of accidents
and calamities. No place should be shut
out from an inquiry requisite for the safety
Of all men. AS it is, we are very particular
to institute an investigation into case OF
drowning or infanticide. but the disasters
which destroy the lives Of many are left
without examination. The public amusc
themselves with speculations rs wide and
a. incompatible with one another, and often
with the facts, as it is possible for them
to be.
Can there not he law directing wise
scrutiny into every disaster: In older
countries there are such laws. In some the
law is so strict that no dancing party is
allowed to take place on the second floor OF
private house until it has been examined
and approved as capable Of sustaining the
weight of number Of The people moving
in the dance. All public houses are sub
ject to the most rigid supervision by speci-
flied authorities, and none are permitted to
lie opened as places of entertainment for
strangers until in the several respects OF
safety and security which the law deems
important the experts in architecture and
building have given their approval.
These measures Of precaution look to the
strength OF buildings, their security from
fire, and the means of escape in case Of
fire.
On this important subject We here in Nir'
.inia are behind hand. The necessity fol
some precautionary laws is increasing
Buildings are in these days more than in
old times tested by heavy weights. In times
past there were not 50 many people drawn
together. The population was more sparse,
and the limited means Of conveyance did
not bring people together in such large
bodies as we see convened now bv the
agency of railroads. In old times, too,
there was more decorum observed, and nC
such crowdinc and examining rs now, even
where there were people enough to cram II
building.
But the inquest is all important. That
will tell how things happen. and expose cr-
rors and neglect, if there are any, and thus
enable us to guard against them i'll future.
The great Capitol disaster should have been
brought under just such an inquiry. The
official statement Of the defect in the floor,
which caused the loss Of life, would have
been valuable authority. We hope to see
some wise law on the subject.