St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-16
THE FELLOW SERVANT BILL.

The GLOBE thinks that Mr.. DoNNEL-
LY'S bill abolishing the exemption of
employers from liability for injuries to
their employees caused by the act of
fellow servants is not a bad thing, ex-
| cept that it goes a little too far. The
present law on the subject is a relic OF
DarbariSm, and unworthy of an enlight-
ened community like ours. A man is
responsible for the tortS of his agents
to an outside party while they are act
ing within the scope Of their employ
ment, and there is no good reason under
the sun why he should not pay the
price of their misdeeds if a co-employe
is their victim. But he does not have
to now unless he happens to be a rail
road owner. The common law of eX-
emptiOn of railroads in such cases was
abrogated by statute some time ago,
and the courts have sustained the con-
stitutionality of the exception OH the
ground of the peculiar hazard attend
ing this sort of business. But, i'll
point of fact. while railroad work
is exceedingly dangerous, it is not
a whit more so than a hundred other
forms of employment in which poor
mems necessities compel them to
engage. The only criticism to which
Mr.. DoNNELLY's bill appears open, is
that it seeks to make all employer liable
even for the willful wrong of his serv-
ant. Here, with characteristic bravery,
the Sage seems to buck against the con-
stitution again. A a is not response
Bile to any one if his agent deliberately
does him a harm which he was not in
structed to. And he cannot by any
legerdemain be made so. No leglSia-
ton eau by its fiat convert us into life
or accident insurance companies against
our will. If we have had nothing to do
with the commission of a wrong, we
cannot be made to suffer for it. But, in
as far as the bill proposes to abolish all
distinction between fellow servants and
others in their rights tO redress for in
jurieS sustained, it is a humane meas
ure, which ought to pass. Some bold
manufacturing establishments are out
with a protest against the law, i'll which
they threaten to leave the state if it lis
enacted. All the GLOBE has to say to
this is. if our sister legislatures do their
duty in this regard, there will be no
places where they can locate and be
free from the liability to which they
will be subjected here.
THE DULUTH RAILROAD.
Capt. HAYES, the president of the st.
Paul u Duluth Railroad company, is in
the city during these days. The GLOBE
is glad of this because it likes to see
him. Capt. HAYES is a man of the
greatest personal attractivenesS, and
with much charm of manner and ability
in his profession. The Duluth railroad
is very prosperous nov The growth
of its terminal points has increased its
value as a piece of property, and the
popularity of its present management
has maintained the volume of its bust
ness in spite of a number of new roads
which have recently begun to compete
with it. There is nothing better for a
railroad thai to be managed by men OF
capacity whom everybody admires.
Even if the service were not so good,
the average patron would prefer
to travel or ship by Capt. HAYES
line than by one managed by some
surly churl. The Duluth road was
fortunate, too. i'll having had connected.
with it the late Col. DUDLEY. that most
royal of men and most skillful of officers.
1t is fortunate now in its vice president
and attorney, Mr.. BLISS, who is at one
an able lawyer and a delightful com
panion; in its general manager, Mr..
PLoUGH, who has won his position on
his merits at a time of life when most
railroad men are still in the rudimentS;
and in its resident director, Mr.. PEET,
whose connection with it gives it
strength both at home and abroad,
because he is known and respected
everywhere for his ability and character.
The Duluth road is prosperous now
because it deserves to be. Handsome,
interesting men succeed themselves and
help the institutions with which they
are connected.