The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-04-28
Sleeping Car Thieyery.

The Pullman palace cars are gorgeous
institutions to look upon. But 1t is
coming to pass that they are the chosen
palaces for thieves to break through and
steal from. Scarce day passes but
that, in looking over our exchanges, we
see announced, some robbery OF pas
sengers on board of sleeping cars. One
day we saw an account of sleeping
passenger ON one OF these "sleepers"
having his watch and all his money
stolen. Two days after we noticed the
announcement OF the theft of $4,000 in
currency from sleeping man
on another of those Pullman palaces. In
less than week we again had our atten-
tion attracted to the account of the steal
ing of the watches and money OF two
gentlemen while sleeping ON sleeping.
Car. And now again we observe the par
ticulars Of like robbery OF man and his
wife while resting at night on one of
these Pullman's sleeping palaces, the
thieves taking their valises and jewelry
and money to the value of $1,000. And
80 it goes. The sleeping.ears are be-
coming dens Of thieves. Villainous men
make 1t their business to travel on these
cars for purposes of plunder, and for
stealing from sleeping passengers.
Moreover, when the victims of these
outrages report their losses and abuse to
the railroad officials, they coolly elevate
their noses ana eyebrows. and tell their
passengers that sit lie none of our bust
ness. You must keep better lookout
next time."
Now, it may be that those officials are
mistaken. 1t is possible that this thing
is some OF their business. 1t is their
business to take all reasonable care OF
1he passengers travelling by their con-
Veyance. 1finjury happen to any pas
Benger for lack of such care, the railroad
company is liable, and must pay all dam.
ages. The same is true as to passengers
baggage. We know that courts have
held that the company would not be liza
BILE for loss of passengers money or
watch taken from his person by pick
pocket while occupying the seat of the
common passenger car. The reason as
signed for SO holding is, that the passen-
ger is presumed to be sufficiently watch
full TO take care of himself and of such
saluables as may be upon bis person.
Granting that this doctrine may be
the proper thing for all such cases, it is
not at all applicable to the case of
Bleeping-car thievery. In this latter
case the company offer distinct accom-
mediation for special purpose. In pro-
yiding "sleeping carr and inviting the
patronage of passengers thereto, thew
require and receive an additional re.
ward and compensation therefor. They
proffer to the passenger the convent
ences and opportunity for taking need
ful sleep, while on the way. BY so do.
ing new relation, founded upon proper
pecuniary consideration, is established
between the company and its passenger.
The latter becomes lodger as well as a
passenger; and has all lodger's rights
ms against the company. One OF
those rights is a reasonable
protection Of his person and property
from thieves and wrong-doers, while in
The helplessness Of sleep on board the |
Dar which he had paid additionally for
securing. And this protection the COM
pany do not even pretend to provide by |
any watch or guard whatsoever.
In such case the legal presumption,
shat the passenger is capable Of taking
care ofhis own person and all yaluables
aipon his person, does not apply. He is |
'-..iiiisssSrmea by the sleep which he is in |
yitod to enjoy, and for the opportunity
80 enjoy which he pays valuable con-
sideration. While under that state of |
helplessuess the company is certainly
Sound by every consideration of law and |
public policy to afford him just and rea.