Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-31
THE RUTLAND HERALD
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 80, 1871.
A Just Charge.

The appalling succession OF disasters
on railroad and steamboat lines that have
followed each other with unprecedented
frequency during the past few months,
renders the subject of the personal Gull
pability of the officers representing these
corporations one of paramount interest
and Importance. It has generally been
considered that the ends of justice
were attained il the subordinates who
were in immediate charge of the steam
boat or train upon which disaster has
occurred, were held responsible for crimi-
nal negligence or dereliction of duty. 1t
was consequently with no less surprise
than satisfaction that the verdict OF the
coroner's jury in the case of the Westfield
explosion was received. By this verdict
the leading officers of the ferry company
were held to the same accountability as
the engineer in charge. This decision Of
the jury appeared to meet the public sense
of the demands of justice in the CASE
In entire sympathy with this action Of
the coroner's jury, Recorder Hackett, on
Monday, delivered most admirable
charge to the Grand Jury Of the Court Of
General Sessions of New York, who are tc
consider the indictments against the Off
GERS of the ferry company. After briefly
touching upon the fact that justice was
equally demanded on account of the hun
dred lives lost and the hundreds of other
lives made desolate, and after lucidly ex.
pounding the provisions OF the law in re.
gard to the case, he with brief significance
adverted to the necessity Of resolutely and
fearlessly examining the culpability OF
the more educated principals, who are be-
hind the subordinates and to degree re-
sponsible for the result Of their acts. He
made pointed and significant reference to
the notorious fact that subordinates are
often made the scape-goats of erring Off
cials who are over them, and who are more
powerful in place and means and he laid
stress upon the beneficial example that
would be afforded if it were possible, I'M
der the facts and the law, to hold presi-
dents, directors and superintendent OF
carrier companies responsible for accidents
happening to the passengers whose lives
and limbs they are bound in law to in.
sure.
In this connection the Recorder used
the following plain and forcible language
These officials exact liberal oommuta-
tions and fares; they should be held to
the utmost vigilance. They have the
means of knowing whether their boats,
cars, engines and boilers are or ought
to be safe. From the nature of the relation
sustained to them by passengers, the lat.
ter give trust and confidence. The lives
of the laborers and mechanics who infuse
energy into the body polite, to capitalists
who stimulate commercial prosperity, are,
in mere moneyed aspect, great trusts to
be committed to the common carrier. How
much more sacred is the trust in the
social view when the common carrier in.
vites for bis own profit the husband,
father, mother, sister, and tender.aged
child to take their holiday upon his pas
senger boat ? He becomes in law the
guarantee Of their safety, and they, con-
fding in his skill and means of know
ledge, unhesitatingly commit to his keep
Ing what our criminal law and its admin
istration should most rigidly guard-per-
sonal security"
These sentiments of Recorder Hackett,
so bravely and forcibly expressed, will
find q ready response in the public mind,
and it is to be hoped will mark the in
auguratiou of a new regimen in the ad-
ministration of justice in the important
matter under consideration.