The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-27

tdcas as 10 the purposes Tor which railways
zrc constructed. The first impression pro-
duccd on reading bis communication was
shsf he was inclined 20 be humorous, in
proposing 10 make railway tracks thor.
oughfnTe for school children. But "a second
reading leaves no doubt as 10 bis meaning.
He proposes to use the property OF others,
against their wishes, Cor his own comfort
and convenience. II is to be regretted that
such communication has appeared IN the
heading journal Of this State, as the views
there expressed will be regarded by read
ers elsewhere as the reflex OF the opinions
OF respectable number OF citizens.
The dangerous practice OF walking on
railroad.tracks Is by far more common than
sbould be the case. Absence oil statute
and the unwilingness OF railway compa-
mics to enforce their rights mt the cost OF
Che good win Of the people has encouraged
such trespassing and wellnigh established
in the minds OF the people that RAILWAYS
have no rights which they are bound TO re-
spcct. =.
In reply to the gentleman's claim to The
free use OF public improvements con
sdructed with private funds. 1t may be sale
skst it was never contemplated by the rep
rpsenta.ives OF the people TO confer the
right or impose the obligation on railway
companies To provide for pedestrians OF
eauestrians except at public crossings. IL
follows that they should be protected In the
use OF their property, which was pur-
chased and improved for specific use.
Much he's been said with regard to the
rights OF railway companies TO land ac-
nuired under the law OF eminent domain.
This law provides that the owners shall be
duly compensated, and when this Is done,
she title 10 the property passes under the
condemnation TO the railway company.
Now, is any man prepared TO say that rail-
way companies do not own their property
md II they do own their right OF way that
they have no right 10 object to its use by
others than themselyesi ii Is dangerous
experiment TO abridge the rights OF any
class. IL cannot be done without dulling
The moral sense OF the nation. Dull the
moral sense, aud the title TO the humblest
cottage in the land Is shaken. Fences,
locks, and armies do not afford protection
10 property. II Is to good government
that we must look, and II there be polit-
ical party in the State ready to shake the
titles under the lash OF Mr.. Memo, the
sooner they advertise 10 the civilized
world their intention the better.
The gentleman from Carrsville says
aRailroads are not liable for damages
Suppose he examines the records OF the
courts, casts up the costs TO railway compa-
mics ia defending suits which invariably
follow injuries to persons walking on their
track. lie Will discover that very re-
spectacle sum is annually paid to attorneys
and others, which sum might better be di'
yided between the stockholders in the
shape OF dividends and the patrons OF the
road i'm reduced rates. He says; "PeOple
will be prohibited fiom using the tracks for
the benefit Of no one" Let him ask some
parent who has lost q darling under the
wheels OF locomotive, or widow her
support, and he will find an advocate for
Colonel Eyans's amendment. He says
" Accidents TO sober people walking
on railroads are rarely known" /
recommend TO the gentleman the Railroad
Commissioners last published report for
better information. One railroad company
in this Commonwealth reports rs killed
and injured while walking and standing
on the tracks. These persons were neither
employees nor passengers, and only one OF
the &c was struck at publ crossing. In
order to post himself better, let Memo talk
70 . loconnotive-drivcr who has run down
human being while applying every agen-
cg which man has devised TO stop his train.
sic will find him not the monster he
is described TO the iuries. but man
willing TO assume risks and responsible
ties-a man of nerve, capable OF deep feel
iues, and one who, in the name OF human
ity. Is emitted TO be protected from such
shocks. / should like to see the
t1u falyo Tho full
Yet him take the place OF the engineer;
def him take the lever IN his hand, dash OF
at 45 miles an hour; let him examine the
schedule, look at his watch, try the water
gauges, inspect the steam-gauges, listen
for strange tnumps about the engine, east
his eve backward TO see II his train is all
together, looking ahead for the next
wbistlino-post az q public crossing, blow
his whistle, and hold the door open while
the fireman strokes the fires. BE it re-
membered that his speed is 66 feet per
second. Let him look ahead hundred
yards for q point in the curve just where
the cut commences. He can see no farther,
He VIII reach the point in four and hall
seconds. Now, Mr.. Memo, wouldn't you
like to feel that there was neither man
nor beast on the tracky Yes. think
you would approve Colonel Eyans's amend
mcnt, and you Will suddenly remember
that it is a difficult thing for little children
going to school TO get out OF the way OF
tram running at 66 feet per second.
The Legislature this session has beer
graveIy considering tire relation OF the PEG
pie 10 the railways. A bill was introduced
creating railway commission. While ne
railway-man, as far as / learn, objects u
any clause. and on the whole considers thu
provisions wise and enllghtening and likeI,
20 result In disabusing the public mind o.
fhc idea that some great wrongs art
wrought by the corporations, 1t does moi
20 deep enough. In fairness it should con
siderthe wrongs perpetrated against the cor
porations as well. This view does not seen
10 be popular with certain class. When Il
is proposed to compel the railways to fence
in their rights Of way, or, rather, to fence
out stray cattle, the proposition is ap
plauded When 1t is proposed to Keel
fhougbtless people from voluntarily placing
their lives In jeopardy, and securing to tn
railways rs well as other corporations tn
exclusive use OF their property, 1t Is con
sldered outrageous.
Surely the gentleman from Carrsvill
cannot expect the representatives OF Viz
ginia to pass laws TO protect cattle and ig
more the necessity OF protecting persons
and thus give color and emphasis TO tn
charge so often made that we place n,
value on human life. Such legislation
would seem TO confirm the libel that Yir
ginia sent her sons 10 the open field bu
refused TO furnish slaves 10 build breast
works around the capital. Nor can he ex
pect the representatives TO depart from thu
conservative course OF the past and aban
don the paternal character OF its Legislation
for the communlstic type, which would bt
she case II the railways were denied tn,
exclusive control Of their rights Of way
4 am sure all good citizens feel an Interest
in the peace and prosperity OF thi:
COMMONWEALTH. and annreciato the i'm