The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-10

this bill. 1t really puts no additional
burden on railroads, and simply provides
that the men moving trains shall sec
what is before them and give timely
warning. 1t is the law in North Carolina
that a person going on a railroad track
IS a trespasser, vet in view Of all cir
cumstances it is wise that q law Of this
Kind be adopted. Without it there arc
four cases which call for capital pun
misunderstanding, rape, murder-and
getting on the railroad track. 1t is now
a duty TO look out not for trospassers,
but for women, children and the help
less. 1t is no added burden as the en-
gineers are required to keep a lookout.
and this bill only requires that they shall
see what is ahead, and stop the train
rather than 10 go on and kill"
Senator Woodland asked here if the
scope of the bill was not when a rail
read company struck or killed a person.
and the signal was not given that it
made the railroad company, per Sc, liza
bic. Senator Justice thought not. and
said he would not support such a bill
himself. Continuing he said that his
bill went a little farther than notice
given 10 a helpless person on the track
| and required that when a person is UP
and walking TO try his senses and touch
him UP with a whistle rather than with
d c~oW-catcher.
THE reason for such a law said he,
is that in North Carolina last year six
t. people were killed on the
track. My bill simply provides
that the engineer shall give
warning. and thus save human life.
Whether drunk or sober. men on the
49, locl ~ -;-, a.~fn -
outlook must be kept, why not have the
signal given? If a man appears to be in
possession of his senses only the signal
need be given and the train need not
stop or reduce its speed. The Southern
the Seaboard Air Line, the Atlantic Coast
Lin and other roads now required by its
rules what his bill asked. My bill only
makes their rule a law"
Senator Webb sent forward an amend
nlent prohibiting people from walking or
a railroad track, or use it as a pathway
except to go Immediately across, viola
ton of this to be a misdemeanor. This
would save many lives" he said.
Senator Gillian said that he opposed
a bill that appeared so radical. He be
lieved the railroad law in North Caro-.
lima was as favorable to suitors as il
any other State in the Union. The ques-
ton was a purely legal one and he fell
that the courts would more properl.
settle the matter. Plainly the bill mean
that any party being on the track, O
crossing it and being in the full pos
session of his. senses being killed, make:
the road liable of the signal is not given
1t IS a bill that will make for parjur,
as many will forget that a signal was
given when they testify. The mat
ter being SO important a one
the bill so radical a change in the law
of North Carolina, he thought that tn;
bill should be referred to the Judiciar.
Committee.
Senator Travis spoke against this bill
He thought that the matter being purel,
legal, could be settled better by tn
Supreme court, composed of men il
whom all confidence was felt. He claimed
that the bill would give no end of trou
bic in deciding what was timely warning
and said that the adoption of the bill
would be an invasion by the Legislature