The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-23

it is a story of criminal carelessness and al
most deliberate murder for which some one
should suffer.-Chicago Tribune.
II it were possible to collect through the
courts large sums in damages for the lives
that are lost, the companies would be much
more careful both in the supervision of
their employees and in the establishment of
block signals and other safeguardS,-New
York Times
There should be the most untiring legal
Investigations, and the lesson taught rail-
road magnates that There are other Kinds
Of murder than by shooting and stabbinS.
The overworked trainmen, though directly
responsible, are not really the most guilty.
-PittSburg Post.
The slaughter by the railroads goes stead
lily on. each succeeding horror becoming
more horrible. There may some day be
found a coroner, prosecutor and grand jury
with backbone enough to do their duty:
The petit jury and the hangman could well
do the rest-Cleveland Leader.
1t remains to be seen whether, in the
present instance. the trainrnen upon whom
falls the responsibility for the loss of SO
many lives were competent and trust
worthy employees, or whether they were
not so overworked as TO have become in
capable Of efficient service.-Detroit Trib-
une.
If it be true, as reported by the mana
gers Of the road, that the loss Of life at
Battle Creek was caused by the disobedi-
ence of orders, then the disobedient engi-
neer and conductor who have escaped with
slight injuries, should be punished to the
utmost extent Of the law.-Chicago Inter
Ocean.
The engineer and conductor have been ar
rested on the charge Of manslaughter, and
their bail fixed at $1,000, but, even if they
are punished to the full extent Of the law,
what reparation can 1t make for the ago
MES of the killed and wounded and the
suffering of the victims relatives ana
Misunderstanding OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
1t is idle as the prosecution of the GRIM
inal law now is, to hope that any railroad
corporation will be held signally to punish
ment not in money. but by imprisonment
in penitentiary, or that any of its Of
flcialS or employees shall suffer for homlc1deS
the result of carelessneSS In the manage
ment of their lines OF transportation--Chl-
cago Times.
The man or men who are responsible for
the calamity should be visited with Justice
swift and sure. There Is need for such an
example as will bring TO railroad opera
tives a full sense of their responsibilities.
and here is a case where the way to such
purpose is made clear. The dead cannot be
restored, but the living may be protected
Detroit Free Press.
An awful disaster by railroad collision In
Michigan and another similar, though less
fatal, accident in Illinois will lead people
to hesitate about travelling by rail as long
as such frightful tnishaps are possible
Railroad companies should be made to
secure their passengers against sudden
death or injury by the use of such proven
tfves as will make accidents impossible
New York Herald.
The Battle Creek accident on the Grand
Trunk appears to have been due, accord
ing to the first report, to a deliberate dis
regard of orders. 1t will surprise no one,
however, If it proves to be one more case
Of obscure or badly expressed orders. The
only system of train orders worth anything
is under the block system, and 1T consists
in letting no train into block until the
block is clear This is an order which 1t Is
hard to Observation-Disclosures Press.