The New York herald., 1878-02-24
THE TARIFFVILLE DISASTER,
VERDICT OF MAJORITY OF THE CoRoNEn's
JURY cENsURING THE RAILROAD DIRECTORS.
HARTFORD Conn Feb. % 1879

VERDICT OF A MAJORITY OF THE CoRoNERs s
JURY cENsURING THE RAILROAD DIRECTORS.
HARTFORD, Conn, Feb 90, 1873
Tho jury Of inquest on the TarifIvlle disaster OF
January 10 reported to-day. Four mako no report,
ow ing TO disagreement, but eight presented tho fol-
loving report
Fhrn-We are OF the opinion that no blame or cen.
can be justly charged upon The conductor OF the
ifated train or any OF tnose associated with him and
aiding him In running II; but, on the contrary, we
have before us the most abundant evidence oil tho
constant oare!ulness and watchfu soicItude OF Con
ductor Elmore, Superintendent Jones and their
ordnates on that dreadful night
Second-wc have not the least evidence to lead as
TO believe that the bridge had been tsmpcred with
for the purpose OF wrccking tho train or ior any other
purpose.
Th,rd--We havc not sufficient evidence TO lead Us
TO believe that there was any deranaomcnt either Of
engines cars, but on the contrary all were moving
along smoothly when sudden crash oil the bridge
heard and felt, with Simultaneous sense VI
sinking.
Fomth-we are OF the opinion that placing an addi-
tiona ginc on tho track IN advance OF the tram or
the uniting and running OF Two engines together
when deemed necessary Is not at all censurabIc bot
that. in the Language OF witness OF large sxpereuce
and intelligence 'any bridge that would not carry
two locomotives ought not to carry one"
FyM-we are OF the opinion that If the materials
suitable quality quantity and proportion to iulh all
OF its requirements, they had at tho time oil tho
suspension rods. from being overstra,ned
from some other Gauge, had lost
ther tensile and sustaining power; that
timber oi tho chords from many years. posu re
to tho action Of tho elements without covering or
paint, had become weakened by decay TO such
to render the bridge unsafe and unit for tho
purpose Tor which u was constructed, and that the
disaster occasioned by tho heavy train passing
over a bridge thus rendered dangerously weak and
detective
Stgh-Wc, therefore, 1nd that the responsibility OF
this sad disaster largely rests upon the directors OF
the ConnecIIcut Western Railway Company, and that
they are deserving OF ccnsdre tor allowing the us Of
a bridge Tor railroad purposes alter It's materials had
become detective TO the point OF danger and for per-
mitung SO many years to pass without covering,
strengthening and protecting The same In such
not to JoopardiZc human lite.
In CONCLUSION, from this standp point OF disaster and
OF death present and declare that In the construc
tion and OF railways is time to take
departure; that in their construction the eternal
principles OF natural laws should not DO violated and
that in their management ALL from the highest
officers to the lowest operative should at all times
be held TO a strict accountability. Upon tho
directors especially, rests weight OF responsibility
which they cannot shake OF. They havo assumed
duties winch thcy cannot shrk These duties are not
Iully discharged by attending only TO tho financial
affairs Of the company IL should no longer be consid-
cred an interference their part II they meddo with
tho doings OF the superintendent IN the management
Of the roao, and oicr something moro than sugges.
tions To them Is committed the most sacred Of all
trusts, the freight OF human lite. For its safo
poriation thoy should be held accountable and this
disaster should remind thom that eternal vigilance is
tho price Of safety.