Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-28

i '-N~NH%ht OF laws.
MT. Munford said there were three OBJ
IONS urged against the bill: First,
s'"' ears equipped with vestibuled fronts
,'n,, u'u oe dangerous TO the people ira
Felilns our crowded streets: second. such
law would impose an onerous tax mon
the companies on account OF the cost of
'4u'pping theiT cars and third. the law
w. species OF paternalism interfering
WIN the right OF contract between citi-
@'h and citizen, and imposing. on the
part or the Legislature. regulations with
reference TO the conduct of business not
Jusuhed by the conditions referred 10.
nor sound principles OF public policy.
win reference to the first objection. IL
was only necessary TO say that the COM
mittee had carefully considered the ar
sunent adduced in support OF this con-
''huon by the representatives of the rail-
WY company. 1t was, however admitted
'hat cars OF this character were in con-
slant use in the cities Of Portsmouth and
Newport News, and on the suburban
roads adjacent thereto; that three OF
them were in use on a portion of the
me or one of the Richmond companies
between a point on Broad street. in this
CITY ana out 10 the suburbs, and that
out OF an average OF twenty winter cars
IN daily use upon Main street. the most
crowded thoroughfare of Richmond two
OF the twenty were vestibu.ed cars. and
no more accidents had happened from the
use OF these vestibuled cars than with
those OF open fronts; indeed. II is to be
questioned whether any accident had ever
happened TO traveller or vehicle on
Main street from one of these vestibuled
cars. The companies contend that better
motormen are employed TO manage these
Vest.buled cars. but the committee in
clined 10 the opinion that the motormen
on these vestibuled cars who were pro-
tecled from the rain and the snow and
the cold were better able TO manage their
cars and TO care for travellers upon the
streets than motormen exposed to the
storm, and, thereby, so benumbed by cold
ana exposure as TO be in some measure
deprived Of the best use of their facul-
ties. Thus. this objection is disposed OF.
With reference to the second objection,
the representatives of the railway compa-
MES frankly confess that IT was a mat
ter Of small moment TO the company; that
the cost Of providing their cars with YES
tibuled fronts was comparatively speak
ing so small that they were perfectly will
ing TO expend the necessary money but
for their fear of accident, which would
be occasioned by attempting 10 run cars
provided with vestibuled fronts.
AS TO PATERNALISM.
The third. and to his mind. the most
serious, objection was that the law is a
species of paternalism that it Is a mat
ter with which the Legislature has no
right TO interfere; that if men are willing |
to accept employment at the hands of |
these companies to manage their cars |
with open fronts, and the companies be |
lieve that such cars will enable them to |
Fnngnqf fhafr Bttcinacc Wit ri
10 their patrons and the rights of the |
public upon the streets. then the Legisla-
ture should not seek TO interfere by en-
acsment TO compel the companies to
provide these contrivances for the protec-
ton Of their employees.
Mr.. Munford said that he was Demo-
crat. and thoroughly believed in the prin-
ciple that that government governs best
which governs least, and that only so
much of the rights of the citizen should
be abridged. or their conduct regulated
as was necessary for the peace and we'll
being of society. He said. however, he
justified the act referred TO under the
police power of the State. which is fire.
Iuently invoked to deal with just this
class of subjects Thus, for instance, in
England and in this country. statutes
lad been passed fixing the age at which
children were alone permitted TO work in
factories or in mines, and to regulate the
hours during which employees III various
ines of business should work. Thus. too,
avs have been passed requiring the in
ipectiOn of buildings during their period
# construction, and from time to time
fter they have been completed; COM
,elling the owners of buildings to provide
hem with suitable fire escapes, and to
Compel railroad companies to provide APP
,liances for the safety of their employees.
n all of these instances cited. there
we're men. women, and children ready and .
ager. driven on by dire necessity, |
o accept employment under conditions
most dangerous and for hours most UNI '
easonable; but the law had wisely been {
nacted for the protection of these en- {
loyees and the public. There were (
undreds Of men, anxious to ac- !
spt the most hazardous work OF c
eight brakemen on our railway l
aims before cars had been provided '
nth airbrakes and Janney couplers and I
ct the Congress of the United States r
ad passed a law compelling the railroad +
ompanies OF the country to equip their +
ars with air-brakes and Janney couplers; v
nd thus the fearful exposure of storm {
nd weather which freight brakemen once
Injured has been. in a large measure. d
one away, and the even greater danger p
ON coupling cars With the hand or 6
lick has been minimized by the introduce 4
on of the Janney coupler This great y
easure for the protection of railroad !.
nployees supposed the expenditure of :,
illions of dollars upon the companies, =
scause the appliances referred TO were
ltented contrivances and cost a great
sal of money. and yet this measure was
used by Congress, and its action has l
zen very properly endorsed by the best z
fought and conscience of our land. v
The measure now before the Senate Is p
,actly In the line of this class of legis- Z
ton. II was reported from the House a
,mmttee and passed that body almost p
lanimously. 1t has been reported from
e Senate Committee on Roads with o
vorable recommendation, and l believe C
will receive. as il ought to receive, the
dorsement of this body. A
Mr.. Munford, in conclusion. paid a high a
mpliment TO Representative Folkes, y
no was the author of the bill and had e
bored so earnestly for its passage, and 81
pealed to the senators TO grant this I,
sasure of relief and protection to the G,
otormen employed i'm the service OF the ~
rect railways throughout the State. Z,
AN AMENDMENT OFFERED. Il
ir. Barksdale said he was glad to well "a
ne the Richmond Senator TO his side; al
had himself been called the chief
ornalist of the Senate; he was glad to OF
We such distinguished company. He
s afraid of the bill, though he would OF
e for it; he was afraid that it would 10
,lly result in a law being passed TO ia
npel farmers in his county 20 provide CO
ir wagons with stoves and their u
vers with overcoats when they were pa
rted out early in the mornings. He ~