The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-15
IT'S PATRONS PROTEST.
People Who Travel on the City and
Suburban Demand Better Cars.

ECOpA0 W ~ ALaNCA Ol IAo ivy o@0
Suburban Demand Better Cars.
The complaints against the City and
Suburban railway, which have been loud
and deep for some time past. but which
have increased in volume and intensity
since this company has been running its
trains over the Coast Line railroad, have at
last taken shape in a joint protest from
those who are compelled TO use the road.
The protest, which is published below, Is
signed by gentlemen who are well known
for their conservatism and whom only long
suffering would induce TO come before the
public in ventilation Of their grievances:
To the President, MANAGER and Board of
Directors Of the CITY and Suburban RGtlloGy:
We the undersigned regular patrons OF your
road, do most emphatically protest against be
ing again forced to ride in the two cars that we
were put in on the 9th and 10th inst.
With single exception land that car rarely
used none Of the cars on which we travel on
your road have any pretensio1s to be considered
hrst-class. All are more or less dirty, none are
comfortable; but Of these two special cars alone
we now speak, leaving for another occasion the
| expression OF our legitimate causes OF com
plant
We hold that it is the duty Of railroad not
only TO carry its passengers, but also to carry
them with due regard 10 their personal com
fort A passenger cannot be treated as piece
OF freight or baggage-and certainly no rail
chartered rights would ever have privileges
granted 70 it were it Gntic pated that its man
ayers would subject the public to the discom
forts and Inconvenience that we now suffer.
A common carrier incurs obligations as well
as acquires privileges when a franchise is
granted TO it by the state. When we touch the
question Of pers onal safety, repeated decisions
OF the courts in every state show that the law
requires of the railroad not only ordinary but
extraordinary diligence to protect its passen-
gers from bodily harm; and when bodily harm
does come to a passenger from causes that it
was clearly IN the power of the managers of the
road to prevent the law holds them to a strict
accountability, not only financially, but. in some
cases, crimfnaly.
element of comfort in them, and we believe
them to b. unsafe and utterly unsuitable for
use in train propelled by steam power. One
is an open car like a magnihed street car with
narrow seats, on which it is impossible to be
comfortable for five minutes at time. The
other is a close car with windows so ingeniously
arranged that they can only be opened half
way; 1t has no ventllatorS in the top, no cur
tains or blinds on either side-a veritable
sweat box" Both cars are of slight
build, lower than the other cars of the
train, mounted on very light trucks with
wheels apparently not much larger nor heavier
than those OF a street car. One was without a
b=llrope, both were without water. In word,
they are dangerous to life and limb, and we
have legal opinion that an accident resulting
from their use would subject all who are re-
sponsiole for it to criminal action.
We're this question of one pleasure ride
only we could easily settle it by remaining at
home, but in order to transact our business we
are Obliged to use the road, and some OF us are
on its trains two hours and half, sometimes
more, every day. 1t will be- readily seen that
the discomfort and danger are not light matters
for us.
PFetermItting for the present the consideration
OF other grievances, numerous aud grave as
they are, we desire at once to bring to your
attention this matter, involving, as it does, the
safety OF ourselves and families, and requiring
as it does, immediate action.
We demand of you that which the laws of
Georgia Contemplated in vesting you with the
powers of a common carrier viz, a decent re
safety. CHARLES FL. OLMsTEAD.
A l.. HARTRIDGE.
G NJ. GIBBS.
c. O. GODFREY.
CHARLTON II. WAY.
c. II. DoRsETT.
J. l.. WALTHoUR.
JOHN w. BURROUGHS.
/. BECKETT
l. NJ WAKEFIELD.
w. ID. DEARING.
f. A. CUTS.
4. DwELLE.
r. G. GUERARD.
r. S. CLAGHoRN.
f. G. WILLY.
JULIAN ScHLEY.
ALBERT WILLY.
LEONARD Y. GIBBS.
WILLIAM q. COOPER
L. t. TURNER