The Slaughter At Muir

The testimony thus far taken in relation to the railroad disaster at Muir, seems to show beyond question that the immediate reaponsibility tor the sad calaniity rests upon the llaginaii who was sent to signal the approaching train. There is some doubt whether he did not go as far in the direction of the approaching train as the regulations of the company prescribo or as is customary ; but there is no doubt whatever that if he had gone farther, as he was advised and urged to do, the disaster would have been arerted. There was ampie time tor him to have walked a inile farther in the direction of tbe freight train and to have made its stoppage an absolute certáinty. He was fully aware of the emergency. Six years' experienceas a brakeman must have taught him that the first thing to bu done in the case of a disabltid train is to protect it from the possible approach of traius in either direction; and in addition to this general knowledge as to his duty he had the special knowledge that a train actually was approaching under circumstances which made more than ordinary preeautions necessary. He knew that the morning was foggy ánd the track wet ; and if he stood, as there has been some appearance of effort to show that he did stand, upon the strict letter of the regulations and neglected any possible precaution, he was wantonly and wickedly regardless of the trust rëposed in him, and if not criminally answorable for the slaughter which ensued, he is morally responsible for it and will be sö held. And if this Hagman is permitted to 8hield himself from criminal responsibility behind the regulations of the oompany he serves responsibility must be sought for elsewhere. The people have outgrown that reverence for railroads which has induced them in the past to subniit tamely to the verdict " there is nobody to blame " Somebody must be to " blame " whena slaughter like that ut Muir taVcs place ; and if it is not the tiagman it is soiue one else. Moral responsibility and pecuniary responsibility are well enough in their way, but thy de not touch the core of the evil. There is a strong and increasing sentiment that nothing but the fixing of the criminal responsibility in such cases will put an end to the reckless disregard of human lite, which is becoming the marked feature of railroad management. Let there be no misunderstanding about this. The public does not want a victim. nor does it care to assist the railroad company to a scape-goat; but it does demand in tones which cannot be mistaken that these railroad slaughters shall benolonger vaguely charged to asystem, or the responsibility therefor be distributed over an entire corporation. It demands, in a word, individual responsibility and if this not attainable under the present system of railroad management the system must bo changed. - Pree Pres.