Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-31
railroad Slaughters,

rho ,arrible accident of Saturday even
-, IN the Eastern Railroad has been
a,sbed by the telegraph from one extrem-
itv of the country to the other striKihg
horror to all as they read the details OF
the horrible slaughter. The first ques-
ton asked is who is responsible IL Is
not for us but another tribunal to deter
mine. and they should enter upon the
Investigation with the fixed purpose OF
torretipg out the causes and persons
--hoso acts resulted in this terrible Ca
,.nitv. 1t would seem that more than or
1;,srv caution characterized the acts OF
I'll concerned. That the first train
,oft very much behind time was
known not only to the employees OF both
trains but to the passengers of the first
train. who were exceedingly anxious on
the subject, so much so that they kept d
sharp look out from the car Window
The superintendent of the Eastern road
was 50 impressed with the liability TO
accident under the circumstances OF the
starting of the trains that he told the
station agent to say to the engineer u
run with great caution for the proceeding
train had left behind time, and was 20
ANXIOUS that after starting for home, he
,vort back to make sure that the station
AGENT had delivered his message to the
onoineer of the express train. The engi-
reer says the message was delivered to
him, and that he once slackened speed on
account of it. 1t seems hardly possible
of,er sU the conversation and caution
that 10 gross carelessness should preva ]
Let cool Judgment prevail, but to ascer
tain and fix the precise responsibility II
the public demand in this case. Nothing
short will relieve the officers of the law Of
of the road of culpability in this matter
So frequent are accidents of this klnt
occurring, that it il time some inquiry
should be made as to the character an'
fitness of engineers and conductors TO
the responsible positions they hold. 1T
oreried whether stringent examination
before competent board should not b
established to license engineers for quAllt
cations. habits and general characte
Human life ia too sacred to be exposed
the freaks of incompetent engineers an
railway employees. There ia no posit1o
of greater responsibility, than that OF IL
engineer of a railroad train, and incor
petent, carelesa or incorporate me
should never for moment be entrustt
with nm engine A searching review
the entire railway engineering force
tbo country is demanded, and the mo
stringent regulations adopted as to the
conduct
We would not cast censure upon Il
engineer in this particular instance, mo
than his evident carelessness after due al
timely warning deserves, neither won
we argue an extreme punishment as
very liable to be the case under the inf
epce of extreme excitement, cOnsequel
upon such a horrible accident, but
should be made to give full account and
discharged from further service. The I
aections of life time to him will be
punishment more potent than pris
walls, and the lesson of warning to otht
should teach prudence and care. For
time the lesson may be needed, but so
the recklessness of human nature pr
dominates and another horror IL upon
1t US have competent, sober, dlscre
men, in the employ of our railways, fro
the chief to the lowest subaltern, Al
when from any cause the judicious reg
lations are departed from, that nome
let the aervice of the offender end, for
deals with the lives and property of M
and no tri6iug for any cause should
wipked at. Let searching investigate
of this casel take place, and inform
nublio where the blame lies, and then
a careful review Of all employees be MI
that incompetent, careless, reckless,
temperate men be weeded out This
public demand, and will have. All c
cials of railways who refuse to do
should be held personally responsible
punished for their neglect.