Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-19
DEATH on THE RAIL.

Steamboat accidents used to be considered
contagious. One explosion was followed by
Others with such fearful rapidity that scien-
tifc men attributed the cause to some undis-
covered atmospheric phenomenon. The
alarming frequency OF railroad disasters dur
ing the past few months occasioned much
comment and searching inquiry as to the
cause, the responsibility and the remedy.
Considering the millions of people who an
nually travel upon railroads, 1t must be con-
fessed that the accidents have heretofore been
comparatively few. But there is no cause
for even the few that occur, as they can be
traced to carelessness-some act Of commits
sion or omission, and unless there be change,
the people viii not feel safe unless law be
passed forcing either president, superin-
tendent, director or stakeholder, to ride upon
the cow-catcher. With the number of rail-
roads increased and an increase of travel, an
Increase OF accidents is to be expected.
Bot there should also be an increase in care
prudence and security, so as to make an
accident utterly impossible. No human in
genuity can provide against the occasional
ditching of train, or the giving away OF
rails or axles or bridge, but there is no ex-
cuse for a collision such the recently oc-
Cured on the New York Central 1t is
heart-rending to read the accounts of that
accident and the terrible scenes at the wreck
A local train came crashing into the rear OF
the Atlantic express, producing most terri
bic tragedy. The living were caught in the
1imbers, and their shrieks were appalling as
the flames approached them. The two burn
ing cars threw sickly glare upon the awful
scene. The dying persons in the ruins had
TO be abandoned TO their fate. The atmos-
phere was heavy with smoke and oppressive
with the sickening odor of burning bodies
Among the dead were found the bodies of
a bride and groom. A fearful responsibility
rests somewhere, and the guilty should be
discovered and punished. In discussing this
accident, the New York Times says:
The terrible accident on the Hudson River rail
road, near Spuyten Duyvel, does not differ i'll is
causes or results from many Others with which
our own doors will bring home the horror and the
lesson of such tragedy with startling viy1dness.
TO imperfect signaling, the second to the OF
coal stoves TO heat railroad cars, and both being
direct results of the greed of railroad directors. Ii
is nothing short OF piece of criminal neglect that
Mlthln the munlcipaI limits OF the city OF New
full speed into another which brought to a
stand on the track, and it is no less diseredtabe
10 the richest railroad corporation in the country
that the loss OF life attending such an occurrence
should be increased by the presence of coal
stoves in its drawiug-room cars Under
any proper system of railroad management
IT ought 10 be impossible for train enter sec
lion Of the road which has not been signRled as
clear, and where great system OF traffic begins
converge these sections ought to be short enough
to exclude all possibility of collision The reck-
lessnesS of railroad employees is, perhaps a natu-
raj concomiant of the lessneS OF their SUPERB
ors, but IL is TO be hoped that the extraordinary
1oolhsrdiness of the conductor of the wrecked
Albany train Is somewhat exceptional among the
persons who ON the New York Central railroad are
Entrusted with the care of human lives.
This disaster has created much excitement
IN New York, and the presumption is that
something will be done to prevent further
danger to the life and limbs OF travellers.
There is culpable carelessness somewhere,
and it should be punished. Travel by rail
has become such a matter of course that
more precaution must be taken to insure
safety. OF course this accident will GAUGE
suits for damages. No recompense can re-
pair the damages resulting from loss of life,