The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-10-01
THE ROANOKE rlMEs. SUNDAY. OCTOBER l. 1898.

n
posing thas the freight train had been
properly tagged, as Brown and Beilev
had no reason to think was not, would
1t have boon the proper thing for Brown
to have rushed to his cab and pulled out,
running the risk of injuring, mainline
or killing passengers in their rush RI
get abroad? We think not. In such an
event Brown would also have been
arraigned for overstepping his authority
In establishing an unwise precedent. Az
soon. however, as Brown saw that the
freighs was going to strike his train he
mounted his engine and tried to pull
out, but 1t was then TO late, thus risk
ing MS own life in futile attempt to
save his train.
Viewed in all its phases it convinces
one that in trying TO make .hese en-
ployes shoulder this blame the official la
are prac ticing serious Injustice upon
three OF their most deserving and here
tofore considered most reliable yo ING
men; men who have been tried and found
true, and who, through their courtesy
and integrity have commanded the re-.
spect and esteem of the patrons of the
road, and the confld enco and admiration
OF their employers. Willie the Recorder
does not mean to he in the least dicta-
torial as to whom the Norfolk and West.
ern should employ and whom it should
not, yet 1T cannot overlook a harsh in
justice from whatsoever source it NAV
emanate, and when we look at the
RECORDS OF these men, who by diligent
and hard work assembled from the yery
bottom of The ladder to positions of re-
sbonsibility; when we consider all the
circumstances connected with the up
fortunate affair; when we think of the
seriousness of dishonorable discharge
which not only ignores them from the
service of the Norfolk and Western
railroad, but all Other roads; when we
consider that they are thus practically
robbed OF lucrative vocation which
they devoted so much of their lives TO
attain, we cannot help but agree with
toe IL aJority acquainted with the facts.
that the road has practicad serious in.
justice, for which they should make
am' nds by placing the responsibility
where it properly belongs and reinstat
ing THESE gentlemen to their former
positions, which, in our opinion, thew
are in the fullest sense entitled 10.
But take it for granted that the road
is right, what then? Then these men
are liable under the laws of the State
OF West Virginia TO be arranged before
the criminal court to answer the CHARGE
OF manslaughter, and that such may
yet be the case is by no mea,s iIpprob-
able We're we in the place of the three
discharged men nothing would please
us more than an arraignment and Judi.
clal investigation, for such course
would Enthusiastically result in a speedy
eXoneration of all blame; quick re-
moval OF the cruel stigma of 'dishonor-
able discharge" a complete acuuittal OF
every charge that the road authorities
could concoct, and the fixing OF the
blame upon the official or the officials,
where it rightfully belongs.
The action Of the railroad in this case
has been the subject of much surprise
and comment amongst the public having
from past observation been led to be,
lieve that the Norfolk and Western has
ever been conservative and liberal
corporation, always dealing fairly in
such things, and there is but one con.
clusiont they can me to, viz, that some
immediate powar saw that 1t had gotten
its foot very deeply into it by EN- ploy-
ing nincompoop for fagman, and
therefore, irrespective of fairness or
justice. or the feelings or the cause of
others, endeavoring to Shift the onus
onto somebody else in order to save it's
own head from being whacked off. AS
for negligence, the company is much
nearer criminal guilt in neglecting to
establish the block system between
Vivian and WEIGH before the accident,
as has since been done, than any of the
three gentlemen upon whom they fixed
the blame.