New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-29
THE COURrs.
THE FERRY DIsAsTFRiJN m

I'M rbhhI DlohSlER IN COURT
VIGOROUS CHARGE TO THE GRAND Jrpx
TIE LAW IN THE CAsEf-CULPABTLTrY az
FERRY COMPANIES.
The Grand Jury was recohyened yestard.,.
TO hear evidence and decide in re- GARD 70 finding hin
indictment against the Staten Isd Ferry Official. -,
causing the death OF nearly 100 peons by the wes.,
boiler explosion. Recorder Hseretrs charge % ,h.
Jury ia ~ follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE GRAND JURY: lOu have boo
convened 10 consider bills Of Indictment agaips, n
charged with criminal negligence In the matter ~ -
explosion Of the boiler OF the steamer Wesned ~ no
a shocking disaster, aud s details too heart rend
10 be recapituated One hundred fresh oraves Sllhg
eral hundred griefstrieken families snC symDabi,,
friends and acquaintance on the and and ,hs
living community demanding protection NJ example n,
the other hand constitute COgcnt stimulani. 10 o f
But this would be PLAIN only one liie had been san
feed ''-
biity for the disaster upon individuals The law No.
devOlyes upon you continuance OF the inquiry Por
your guidance shall now read and refer you % the al
lowing provisions OF law, which have direct Applicant
TO your investigation OF the facts:
boat used for The oGnTev1ass n or r. ~, ,a
person having charge Of the boiler Of eh boat or Of ss
GI the purpose Of s shssn. ,' @,he ,, boat ~ ss %
pau. which .ha he leneated any pp',u Or ],sA,,
be he9 ever .gsh 'g',l egner or other peu b Be esIi
SIC 49, Er1y oh,y urg Of human being BY ihs pr,.r
meut Or ealpabb n'g9eVs Of GroSr NAere uch Killing "a
Tbs title nn'snzhtsr Of some other degree s BE- d7ne
slaughter In the fnfth degree.
alton Of the evidence that there u probable cause "a
believe that the Government Inspector carcesy or neg
lgently Inspected the boiler Of the Westfeld or VA.
otherwise officially In fault when giving his certacaes
then indictment under the latter section would Ia
proper charging him with criminal contribution TO tho
deplorabe result.
II you are satisfied from the evidence that .hal Ia
presented and received by you h;t MI Vanderbilt tho
President Of the Company, Mr. Brasted ia supern.
IN.
competency Of the engineer the insecurity of tho
boiler, to compel degree Of care and nspecti,n
greater than they both either exercised afterwsd
then 10 will be proper further 20 inquire they did not
also in the Language Of the section lat quoted sunen
duce the result BY their cupabla negligence. The dt
section Will apply to the engineers act II the fact b.
the law.
II is said that the engineer Improperly absened him
self from his post. and thereby too great volume u
steam for 80 defective boiler was generated, and bc-
yond the amount the boiler was permitted 10 carry Bus
whatever may be the engineer, condition the law and
facts resOutely and fearessy examine into the eupa-
bty Of the more educated principals behind hin. II -
TOO often the case that arr Ial 5calegOd,
for eTring officials who are over them ana who
powerful IN place and means.
II il possible under the facts and law 10 hold Pres
dents Directors and Superintendens Of cOmmOnc3rrcr
companies responsible for accidents happening ~ d,
passengers whose lives ana nmDs they are IN Jaw bound
20 insure against negligence then great and beneficial
example would be set These officials exact liberal com.
mutations and fares they should be he'd 0 the utmost
vigilance. They have the means Of knowing whether
their boats cars engines and boilers are or Oaght 70 ~
safe From the nature Of the relation Which sustained
20 them by passengers the latter give trust and conf
dence The lives OF abOrers ana iEecbanlcs VINO muse
energy INTO the body polite; OF capitalists, who STINT
late commercial prosperity are IN mere nOned apct
great trusts 20 be committed "a the common carrier.
How much more sacred Is the trust IN social view
when the common carrier invites, for his own proht he
husband father, wife, mother, sher ana tenderhge1
children to take their holiday upon hs passenger boat
and becomes IN law the guarantor OF ther oaie, aud
they cOnfdng In his skill aud means OF koNieuge no,
hesitatinRly commit to his keeping "hat our criminal
law and Its administration, should most rlgdly guard
personal security. . .--a...., - -,
Gentlemen have the utmost confidence In your fear
lessness and Impartiaty have IN The prOmptde OF
the District ttorney and his love OF justice. With
whole nation looking at our judicial action upon this
great catastrophe let all give no room for alter
proaChes from any quarter.