New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-12
TIE DANGERS FROM ELECTRIC CURRENTS
EX-GOVERNOR CORNELL SENDS A POINTED LET
TER TO MIR. HEWITT.


TER TO MIR. HEWITT.
Fx.Govcrnor Alonzo g. Cornell has addressed a
second letter TO Mavor Hewitt in regard to proposed
prohibition of hchonsion electric currents within the
city, replying to Mr.. Hcwtt's letter. Mr. Cornell
says:
Your suggestion that IS is premature to discuss the
subject Of legislation prohibit dangerous electric cir
cults within our city surprises me greatly. At least
three human have been sacrificed the present year
within your constituent Jurisdiction. and yet you regard
tho consideration Of measures to prevent the recurrence
OF such fatalities as premature what pubic interest
is more important urgent than the preservation OF
human life? Only month LADY was killed IN TWcn-
ty.thrd-s by having no conductor. and straight
wov tho Common Council enacted ordinance prohibiting
cars withou: conductors in Twentyhirdst and thereby
won the paudits a grateful community Who VIII pre-
ond that our lives are moro seriously endangered by street
cars than by electric wires bearing circuits OF such IN
,ensity instantly Kill person coming in contact
with them When cholcranfectcd ship enters our
harbor strong OF tie State holds her In qnaran'
tine until every yesticc Of disease has been eXcrmnaed
hesitate protect life and property by arrest
ing suspected criminals in order to prevent appFehehua
depredaons Why should VIC be less Nigant In guard
ing public welfare when dealing with the question OF
electric Lightning
Was it regarded as premature discussion" when an
honest Governor denounced the canal pundercs ana &C.
mandei their punishment? Was It premature" when
great newspaper unmascd the gigantic robbery OF our
municipality And yet what such grievances when
compared with the loss OF life caused by the deaay
hich-tcnsiOn circuits? Who thought OF regulating pup
lie robbcrv7 On the contrary conplraors were pros
ecuted with all possible severity and their calling was
prohibited by additional safeguards Of legislation
Instead Of discussing the advsabnty Of prohibiting
these you propose TO regulate them so as TO
DO reasonably tho public" What assurance can
VIC have that any possible system Of reputation Will
insure safety Tho danger IS invisible and therefore all
terrible and connot be guarded against by ihui-
yiduas Our city is network OF wires; telegraph, tclc
phone and other electric wires I'll streets until the
very sunlight by them The accidental cross
ing OF hrh-cnson elcc,Yiclight wire with telegraph
or telephone instantly the dangerous current
into our dwellings and business Offices Thus hundreds
of unsuspccng persons daily eXpocd to instant death
quite unconscious that they within the
range Of a high-tenso circuit
Putting the electric wires underground, Mr.. Cornell
thinks, would be only partial remedy. lie rec
O.nizes difficulty In dealing with this troublesome
question in the fact, which he alleges. that large
proportion OF the most ACCOMPLISHED electricians are
employed retained BY the great electric light com
panes. The National Electric Light Association. which
The Mayor eOquently welcomed when began Us recent
session in New-lOrk Mr. Cornell says, was composed
principally II wholly OF electricians directly en-
ploycd by interested in tho various electric hght
companies throughout the country. FOR this rcaSon
lie SAYS, they cannot be depended upon Tor frank
| and honest Opinion to tho extent of the danger
mcnacing the community. He concludes with the
declaration that question OF The dav nearly con
Germs the citizens OF New York ttc;r personal wei
fare and safety does the entire prohibition OF the
fatal hlCh- tension and I'm his opinion
charged with pubic duty viii perform bis full Obga
ton who tcmporizeS with the subject or ignores it,