Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-12-20

the New York and New Haven railway
corporation another opportunity to fulfill
their threat of making it I" terrible for
the public to fight it, right or wrong" 1t
decreed that the judge had no right to
give an opinion as above, but should
have left the question for the jury. Ac-
cprdingly new trial was granted, which
took place in June, 1871. Up to this
time three people connected with the
suit had died, and one witness Cor plain
tif had moved TO Kansas; while young
girls who were on the train when the out
rage was committed had passed from
girlhood through long courtships, and
we're already matrons. However, with
the impetuosity of youthful tempera-
ment and the knowledge of just cause,
| made another onslaught upon the cor
poration after only thirteen months de-
lay since the last trial, and obtained a
verdict of $500 damages, after one
hours deliberation by the jury.
For the fifth time the road demanded
another trial, which being refused by
the judge, they again appealed from his
ruling to the supreme court. They asked
the judge to charge the jury, that if the
plaintiff had tendency to hernia, or
any physical disability that was liable
to be increased by violence, the plaintiff
ought to have info. med the employees
of the road and failing in that. he, and
not the road, was responsible for the
consequences. According to the rail-
road theory, therefore, if gentleman
is attacked by scouudrel, unless the
victim gives complete diagnosis Of his
condition to the ruffian, he, and not the
villain who struck him, is responsible for
Consequences when his skull is broken.
To obtain the opinion of the supreme
court of Massachusetts upon this impor-
tant point has taken twelve months
more, but l am happy to be able to state,
that at last one point Is established by
the Massachusetts, courts in favor of the
rights Of railroad passengers, namely,
that it is not necessary for man to in
form a rufianly aggressor what his
grandmother died of, nor to describe
his hereditary symptoms.
Mr.. Coleman, therefore, has his ver-
dict of $500, and his opportunity to
tell some plain truth about our courts
aud railroads which he does not fail to
improve.
Mr. Coleman also talks about the
needed reforms in railroad management
thus sensibly:
First, that the fares should be uniform
and at reasonable rates, say two cents
per mile. If it is necessary for new
road to receive higher rate until it shall
be upon a paying basis, allow it an ex-
cess an limit the time during which an
excess shall be charged or else pay the
road subsidy from the state funds, up
on the principle on whicl POOR post
routes are maintained, keeping the rates
low, aud inducing thereby an inhdx OF
settlers who will eventually support the
road. Second, when frst-class fare is
paid, frst-class passage shall be given
in comfortable car, with such appoint
ments as the law shall specify polite
and kind treatment to be required from
employees, and the comfort aud conven-
fence of passengers to be assured, as well
as the safety of life and limb. When a
person is taken in charge by railroad,
be must be delivered in good order at
the end of the journey, unchanged in
feelings and person, as he was received.
Third, when dollar is received for trav-
ell from passenger, the equivalent of
that dollar shall be returned in ira vel
not according to the caprice of the COM
pany, but according to equity and justice,
and the reasonable demand Of passen-
ger. Fourth, in all cases of disagree
ment or of wrong-doing, the road shall
be compelled TO confne itself to the
SAINT pedCctut utduS VI ISuiS5S do du
Individual and cause arrests only by
, regular authority appointed by law, un-
less the offender be guilty of obscene or
f indecent conduct in the car, or commit
a trespass upon life and property. The
present medieval system of barbarity
! in the summary treatment of passengers
must give place to something in accord
ance with the enlightment of the nine
teenth century. The railroad compa-
nies must be made aware that the trav-
cling public is not composed of cattle or
sheep nor are they in any sense the nat
ural prey of the companies, but human
beings, entitled to considerations as such.
Master at homer" No, sir, he's
out" Mistress at homer" 81 No. sir,
she's out" "Then I'll step in and sit
by the fire." That's out, too"
Mrs. Partington has been reading the
baaffh off core uaak ~ ranort nd fhipEs