The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-30

Putnam, tho unfortunate Victim OF drunken
rufian's treachery, breathed his last at ST.
Lukes Hospital. The assassin's stroke proved
fatal. Luckily the murderer has been arrested
or we might again be compelled to chronicle
the commission OF Q murder as bloody and
almost as horrifying as that Of Mr.. Rogers or
Mr.. Nathan. The story Of the murder of the
unfortunate Mr.. Putnam is one in which every
citizen is Interested When it comes to pass
hat a man cannot accompany his wife or
daughter, his mother or sister, on one Of our
public means of conveyance without danger OF
insult, and in case Of interference at the OK
pense of life, the situation becomes serious
indeed A gentleman offers to escort couple
of ladies' in the early hours Of the night
to church up town and he is murdered
foully murdered--because he attempts to pro-
tect them from the gross insults OF black
guard. No blow is struck, no threat is made,
no violence resorted to on the part OF the
deceased, and yet he Is set upon by the cow
ardly assassin who lay in wait for him, armed
with the heavy iron hook he had borrowed
from the driver Of the car.
The murderer Foster, we are told, was at ono
time conductor on the cars. From all appear
ances, it would seem he was on good terms with
the driver How he stood with the conductor
is question which viii be settled on exami-
nation. From the intimacy which apparently
existed between rufians Of the stamp Of this
Foster and the car drivers, from the com.
plants of citizens who are compelled to travel
on the street cars, and from the testimony Of
the detectives and the police, there Is every
reason to believe that travel through the city
is hazardous and full of peril at the present
time Is it necessary to refer to the horrible
affair which occurred ON Second avenue
car some time since, when young girl was
outraged by couple Of ruffians ?-need we call
to mind the stabbing transaction on car In
Church street. we think, but few months
ago, or is it essential to go over tho list Of
complaints which from time to time have
appeared in the columns of this paper, not to
mention the pocketbook picking, heard and
unheard of, which are of daily occurrence, in
order to show that the fear expressed il
not groundless nor the charge made without
foundation in fact? Is it not well known
to the city travelling public that car con-
ductors, as rule, rarerly interpOse to save
passengers from either insult or injury2 That
there are some good men on the cars, both ~
drivers and conductors, we do not deny, but
they are the exceptions to the general rum.
Drunken men, well known thieves. and foul
mouthed loaters are permitted to travel, undis-
turbed, to the inconvenience loss and horror
of respectable people Of both sexes Rarely
will conductor trouble himself in the matter.
II is none of his business, he contends. They
pay their fare and they can do as they please.
These are the conductors arguments and these
their pleas; and behold the results. Insult,
robbery and murder are the legitimate OFF
spring of such conrse-call it by what namc
Won wil-of the conduct of the servants Of the
city railroad companies on our street cars.
Take the last dreadful occurrence, the MUIR
der Of Mr.. Putnam by Foster. What was the
conduct OF the conductor with whom the unfor-
tunate gentleman rode? He made no report
of the murderous assault at the Office Of the
company until fear and the advice Of q friend
suggested to him that he might get himself
into trouble If he did not, and not until he
ascertained at the drug store to which Mr..
Putnam was conveyed that Fosters victim was
brought to the station house in dying state,
did this conductor think of reporting tina
matter TO the police. 1t may be that famil-
iarity with such scenes had blunted. the mans
sensibilities to an outrage which has calmt-
mated in the death OF a respectable citizen-
Not in the entire chapter Of criminal records
in this city-and God knows it is a long one
is there recorded 80 brutal and foul deed
The lecherous and uncomfortable passion Of
rascal whose vile passions knew no restraint
drove him to the commission Of dreadful
murder In early night, in the open street,
with people witnesses of the act, an unoffsnd
ing man is stricken down by blow from
which he never RECEIVERS. Men stand by and
see the act aud no hand is raised to stay the
murderous blow nay, more, scarce move
ment is made to apprehend the wretch as: he
fed from the scene Of the outrage. Are not
assaults, insults, outrages and robberies SUM-
GENTLY numerous on street cars to justify the
public in knowing something of the character
of the men who have charge Of these public
vehicles-who they arc and what they werea
Foster was apparently not without friends, al
the difficulty between Coroner Young and the
Alderman Of Fosters ward would seem to
imply IF drunken and disrcputable men are
to be employed in positions as conductors and
car drivers where they are brought into daily
contact with the motners, wivcs, daughters
and children OF our citizens, we may expect
TO hear OF other occurrences horrifying as
that of last Wednesday sight. Well may peo-
Pile feel alarmed before the recited facts of this
dreadful decd, which. having its origin in
lust was followed up with brstality and in
| suit, and finally culnsinated in cold-blooded
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