Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-04-24


which were tackled on to the O'Donnell
railroad tariff bill last winter in the
Senate:
SEo. IL. On the taking effect of this
net, the Governor shall appoint three
commissioners, whose successors shall
be elected ct the general election in
1877, aud whose duty Il shall be to ses
that this law u faithfully executed and
In case said commissioners shall at any
time be satisned that the rates and
charges fixed by this oct shall not be
reasonable and Just, they shall r0visg
and re-adjust the same, and cause such
revision and readjustment TO be print
ed and certified BY their chairman TO
tho proper officers of the company
whose line or lines such revision and
read djustment will affect. Said commis-
si0ners, in such case, shall fix specific
rates and charges by a list or lists which
shall prevail along tho distances and
between the points to be therein speci-
fed. Any such change, revision, or
e-adjustmcnt, made by such commis-
sioners, shall be as valid and legal until
changed by them, as If the same had
been established by law. And the
rates, charges, and tariffs, fixed by this
act shall have no force or effect after
the same shall have been changed, re
viscd, modified, or re-adjusted, by said
commissioners.
SEC. Is. In fixing charges, rates, or
tariffs, or in changing, modifying, re-
vising, or re-adjusting the same, it
shall be the duty of tho commissioners
In doing the same, to fix, change, re-
wise, modify, re-adjust the rates, charg-
es, and tariffs, on . basis that will be
fair, equitable, and just to the people
allowing just and reasonable COM
pensation for the services rendered.
And said commissioners shall have
full power and authority to examine
into the management and affairs of all
railroad companies in this State, and
they shall have the use of all legal
means and process necessary for that
purpose.
SIC. 10. Said commissioners shall
each receive for their services the sum
of three thousand dollars per annum,
payable quarterly. They shall hold
their sessions at such places as they
may deem proper, and shall each re-
ceivo the sum of five cents as mileage
for every mile actually travelled. he
fore entering upon the discharge Of
their duties, each of said commission
ers shall take the usual oath of Office,
and they shall hold their offices for tho
period of two years, Uuless removed
by the Governor Of the State for in
competency or corruption In Office.
Tie O'Donnell bill was passed with
out the above amendments in the
House, and came to the Senate for ac-
ton. The railroad interest introduced
the three sections above ~ an amend
ment, and were successful hy close
vote, in having them engrafted on 10
the bill. Senator Merrill, Of this COUNT Y,
voted against this amendment and
though opposed to the O'Donnell bill
in other respects, yet he had acted
and voted with tho tariff men in the
Senate, up to this time in all measures
favoring the the control Of railroads.
He had not, however, been called. upon
to vote on the O'Donnell bill, aud
when 1t did come up with this amend.
ment tackled ON to It, believing that
these .sections virtually destroyed the
bill and placed the entire power Of
controlling freights in the hands ol
three men, ct burden OF say $l2,0Of
to the State annually, on this account
as well as some other vital imper.
fections in the bill, he felt obliged to
vote against it. The facts were, that
whom the railroad men succeeded in
getting the three sections aforesaid
tackled on 10 it they held a general
jubilee at night, rejoicing over thoi,
success. The bill in this shape did not
suit tho House.
i Hon. J. II. Wilson, OF Fairfield, IN.
forms the Cedar Rapids Republican
shat it is his firm intention now to re.