Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-03-18


One Of the most important matters before
the Legislature during the present session.
for Dubuque as we'll as for northern Iowa,
il that Of providing against discriminating
tariffs by railroads. Senator Richards has
introduced a bill in the Senate, and Mr..
Wilson one IN the Houss on this subject
II 10 probable that law will be enacted,
undoubtedly, embracing the best provisions
Of both bills. We have received copy Of
Judge Wilson's bill, which We publish ~
follows:
A Bill for an act TO de6ue the duties and
regulate the operations Of railroads 10 the
State Of Iowa.
SEC. /. Be IL enacted BY the General As
sembly Of the State Of IoWs, That u shall b
the duty Of compaaise and persons epssa-
| ting any railroad within this State 70 run
and operate their roeAs - to give equal.
Just, and impartial facilities TO oil persons
without favor or partially TO any Tor trans,
portation Of persons and properly on $50
| roads. ~
SEC Q. That no railroad company shall
arrange their tariff Of charges ~ 10 give any
uuiuse preference to any ono point OF ship.
ment within this State or any adjoining
State or territory or market over any 9TH
Or: but all tariffs OF charges shall be 90 ar
ranged and the roads SO managed - TO give
the people Of this State the advantage Of Ill
markets and channels Of trade and CON-
mercs, - near as may be, without Partially,
inc quality or unjust discrimination.
Ssc. g. That the Governor, by and with
the advice Of the Senate, shall appoint Ave
commissioners, whose duty il shall b TO see
that the provisions Of shis act shall be
and companiss and persons operating any
road Within this State, and they shalt hold
Office for the term cf I've years from the
date Of their appointment. and until their
successors are elected and qualified; ma
jority shall constitute quorum for bust
ness; they shall rsosive i've dollars day
and necessary expenses while actually on.
gagged in the performance Of their duties
nos TO exceed - dollars for any one
year Of the term Of Office Of said commits
81, ners aad their Rsst term shall expire
on tho second Monday after the meeting ol
the General Assembly nsxs after their ap.
pointmsns, and % on every two years there
sftsr.
l SEc 4. Said commissioners shall havs
power 70 make oil necessary rules and or
dsrs 10 enforce this act, and 90 TO modify
any tariff Of charges Of any railroad com
pany % 10 make the same conform to the
true intent and meaning Of this act. and
such order may be enforced BY injunction
Of any court having jurisdiction BY any
party feeling agrievsd; or by the attorney
general, OF BY any district attorney, in the
name Of the Stats, By direction Of the board
OF cemniss'onsrs and any person inferred
BY any violation Of this act, BY any railroad
company or psrson operating any railroad
. in this State shall have the right to recover
damages for such injary.
Sac. o. II shall be the duty Of any rail
road company, or sny person operating any
railroad within this State, in addition Il
posting copy Of she tariff OF frsights and
fares il the dspots On the line Of such road
- nov provided by Law, 10 fils copy Of ,hs
same within thirty days after the taking
effect Of this act. with tho clerk Of the dis
trict court through which such road passes,
and Of all notifications Of the same - they
shall be made from time 10 time. including
the through rates to and from the principal
points in any adjoining State or Territory,
| where such road shall bs run In connection
with or operated by any railroad company
in suoh State or Territory.
SEc. s. Said commissioners shall be
sworn 10 faithfully perform their duties
! without favor or Partially shall have pow
or to administer oaths and take evidence
relating TO all matters connected with rail
road tariffs, and to issue subp9nas and
compel the attendance Of witnesses; and
shall make full report Of all their doings.
together with such evidence, to the mex.
general assembly, with such suggestions
aud recommendations - they may deem
proper relating to the subject matter Of
this act.
Ssc. Z. This act being deemed Of imms-
diats importance, shall take effect from aud
after ito publication 10 the lord State Reg.
sster and che Iona Stsfssman, aswspapePs
published in the city Of Des Moinss, Iowa.