Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-07-28
OBLIGATIONS on xAILKoADs.

sonae Aors JudIc,al Deeiase.s ON the Subject.
Boston Globe.
It was an observant Frenchman, who,
after few weeks Of experience in the
United States, declared that while Ameri-
cans, more than any other nation, insist
upon freedom Of thought aud action. yet,
more than any other nation, they are sub
ject to and will endure most meekly all
sorts Of petty tyranny from corporations
and companies. All who have travelled
to any extent over American railroads
will at once recognize and applaud tho
truth Of tho criticism. They will re-
member the petty inconvenicncest to which
they have submitted, and will recall
Instances of almost criminal carelessness
on the part Of railroad officials, but
about which nothing was said because
some lucky chance prevented fatal re-
suit. Tho public that travels over the
roads is as much to blame, secondarily,
for nine. tenths of the railroad accidents
that fill the country with their sickening
horrors almost every week rs are the rail
road companies themselves. For the pub.
lie does not insist upon the recognition
by tho companies OF its proper rights and
privileges, nor does it demand that rail-
road officials take proper precautions for
its safety even when they grossly
neglect this duty. While tho incOn.
veniences to which people will al.
low themselves to be subjected when
the tyranny comes from i railroad COM
pany become almost lu(licrOus by tho side
Of other rights for which they will claim
vigorously. They will buy through tickets
from one city to another under tho PROM
ise that there will be no changing of cars,
and when they have to undergo that in
convenience several times they will make
no complaint other than little grumbling
among themselves. For much less pro-
vocation on individual grounds half Of
them would undertake expensive law
suits.
In view of tho general Indifference Of
the public whether or not it receives its
just accommodation and proper safeguard
against danger, two cases which have re-
Gently been argued are Of much interest.
One of these was decided last week in
Brooklyn against the Long Island railroad
company on the ground that the road
did not furnish reasonable accOmmOda.
tiOns to the residents along certain parts
of its line. The decision Of tho judge
was that railroad company is . common
carrier, and is under obligations to the
public which may he enforced by man
damus, and that one Of these obligations
is the duty of providing reasonable ac-
commodatiOns to the persons living near
the stations along it's line. The other case
was argued three days ago in New York,
against the New York Central and Eric
railroad companies, involving the discus
sion of similar obligations. Obviously the
obligations of y railroad company are those
set forth by the Brooklyn Judge; it must
consult the convenience Of its patrons
to reasonable extent. And, farther,
when an individual buys railroad
ticket the understood agreement be-
tween himself and the company is Ol
the nature Of a private compact by which
the latter agrees, in its capacity as com
mon carrier, to furnish reasonable accom-
mOdations and reasonable safeguard
against injury, and particularly does it
agree to furnish those things set forth in
its advertisements, while the former agrees
to accept these, to ask nothing further
and to be subject to the limitations Of his
ticket. A few more judicial decisions like
that just referred to would doubtless pro,
duce results most welcome to the travel
ing public.