New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-11
MAGISTRATE AND TROLLEY-CAR.

When Magistrate Meade asccrtaned that the
prncipaI charge against couple of boys who
had been brought before him in the Tombs po-
lice court on Friday morning under the stern
surveillance Of an Inspector on the fourthave.
trolley linc was that they had been stealing
rides and annoying passengers he instantly
doyclopcd a large amount ~ latent heat; NO
"one can annoy passengers 80 much rs the con-
"luctors do" exclaimed His Honor. and dis
charged the urchins 70 some Of the remarks
in which the Magistrate INDUCED before dis
missing the ease we feel compelled to take ex-
rcpton We do not believe. for example. that
the Fourth-ave trolley line IS the worst OPP
Grated system in the world. and that II would
not be tolerated for an hour anywhere else.
We are not even prepared Ia admit That IL j.
worse than other lines operated right here in
This city by the same company AMI tolerated
by the people. though with continuous wrath
and ohjurgaiion.
Nevertheless i'm spite of some probable cxag-
gcrailon duc ~ rather crrd1hc warmth of
temper. we are convinced that til" Magistrate
struck n popular chord. especially IN declaring
that when you try 10 stop ear the conductors
run 10y YOU ~ full speed and then turn and
lccr ~ you That was no incautious repetition
OF a loose and unwarranted complaint. There
isn't gambler in the city who, hearing II. would
not have been ready 10 bet any amount nj any
odds that His Honor spoke from the depths ~
personal experience lie himself has tried IN
vain not once. hlit many times to stop a swift
~ advancing ear ard been jccrcd AT ny iec-
ing conductors. II Is way they have. We
suppose T. consoles them for the sings and A.
rows Of outrageous fortune. Probably not one
male passenger in ten on any one of the Metro
politan Traction Companys lines ever expects
10 Dc able To get aboard car except while it
IS in motion occasionally. by taking advan-
take II the consideration sometimes shown 10
women and crippIes. man may achieve nm
execution io the general rule. but he must be
uncommonly watcLful and adrolt.
Now. while n large number Of tho conductors
Oh strectcars would be much benefited by be-
ing put through n thrcshing machine and there
by reduced ~ a reasonable condition of hui
mility they are not all impudcnt curmudgconS
hy any means. And yet do not hesitate 10
say that in This matter ~ refusing 10 stop for
pas scngrrS n great majority OF them ar" gross
sinners II is not probable that they are under
explicit orders to keep their ears moving under
all possible circumstances: indeed. we have
been Informed that the officers of the company
spend much time In listening respectfully to
complaints and cndcavoring To perfect the op-
era lion Of their lines. But. on the other hand.
there is prevalent belief that they have adopt
cd schedule which compcs conductors and
moiormcn 10 be more expeditions than rca-
sonable regard FOR :hc comfort and safety Of
the public permits, and that this worrying ex-
action is largely responsible for the practice
which Magistrate Meade has denounced in
terms OF wholesome Indignation. However It
originates. the pracic" ought 10 he stopped
1t Is insocnt. cXaspcratlng and dangerous. Be
yond the shadow Of doubt the company can
ston IT, VIII Il do So voluntarily or wait 10 he
cocrccd by public opinion ard the forces which
public opinion knows how 70 set i'm operation?