St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-26
"Human cattle0 Overland.

The following communication in the
Boston Journal, is signed by twenty
five or more persons who were passen-
gers on the train referred to. 1t is
true bill, as some of our readers know:
In no spirit of petty complain, but
simply for the sake of those who may
have no one to speak for them, we
desire to make public the facts as to
the provision made by the Union Pacific
and Central Pacific Railroads for their
emigrant passengers.
On the mixed freight and emigrant
train which left Omaha on Wednesday,
Dec. 13, there were one hundred and
sixty emigraht passengers full tickets
For these, only four cars were provided.
In the one we occupy-the rear car,
specially set apart for American fami-
lies, and where the most favorable con-
ditions exist-there are 35 full fares and
Al persons The car has but % seats !
Two may sit by day in one with
comfort. They can lodge at night CD
two seats opened opposite and filed
with board and cushion between, with
equal comfort. But attempt to compel
three adults, and especially four, to
sleep for nine nights in succession on
two seats, and you simply attempt ex-
tremes of human torture We speak
of what we know. The experiment has
been faithfully tried
Still, for ourselves, having chosen
this less cOstly-nOt cheap-mode of
transit with measure of forewarning,
we make no complaint. From the rail-
road employees we have met only hu-
name, often most considerate treatment.
Our only criticism is for the undue
packing of the cars, the want of space
foI the possible endurance of the long
nights of this weary journey.
AS these roads were built by Govern
ment aid, they owe at least decent
treatment to the newly arrived imhli-
grant, who, until he reaches his desti-
nation, is in a peculiar sense the ma
TONS ward. All we ask in behalf of
this class is simply that one full seat,
not half seat, be allowed for each
passenger.
The railroad companies receive over
two cents per mile emigrant fare, and
yet herd us like cattlei They carry
freight from Omaha to San Francisco,
for four dollars and half per hundred
weight, or 5000 per ear of ten tons.
The car we occupy (U. P. R. R.) pays
thirty-five full fares of S45, or 81 ,575
If the companies conceded all we ask
and what the "SOciety for the Proven
ton of Cruelty to Animals ought to
secure enforced by Congress, viz, one
full seat to each passenger, this cal
would pay % fares, or 81 ,260, for a
load that cannot reach three tons be
ing more than 33B per cent. above theil
charge for ten tons of freight OF
course the cost of motive power, veal
and tear, loading and unloading, and
all save first cost of car and slight
percentage for attendance, is quite in
| favor of the emigrant over the freight
car.
The only possible excuse for this
treatment is the rapacity of the COM
pany, and the only reason why it is
tolerated is that those who usually
travel this way either have no one tu
make an appeal in their behalf, OF
thinking they will never again pass
through this ordeal, they forget that
this inhumanity is repeated every day
and night in the year!
Only secure each passenger a full
seat, and with Il sufficient number trav-
cling in company to insure suitable care
of the car, the transit need necessarily
have no special terrOrs. even for women
and children.
Cannot the railroad companies be
compelled by public sentiment, or posi-
tive enactment, to cOncede this measure
of Justice.