The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-12-16
Railroad Bills.

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Railroad Bills .. -
Two bills have been reported 70 the House
Of Delegates from the Committee OF Roads
which will probably occasion some earnest
celebration.
1st. {: Appointing commissioners OF trans,
portatioa, and defining their duties ana
powers" This bill makes the Governor, sec
rotary of the Common wealth, and Treasurer,
n hoard OF railroad commissioners. They
are to have "geueral supervision Of all rail-
roads 10 The State" and "shsll examine the
!" same and keep themselves Informed as to
"their condition, and the manner In which
s;they are operated" and 10 all matters OF
delinquency, in giving such security ana ac-
commodationto the public as their charters
REQUIRE. The commissioners are to inform the
roads Of their delinquency, and communicate
the facts to the Legislaturein an annual report
In the month Of December Of each year.
The commissioners are required to take
cognizance Of all failures to comply with
charters, Of all breaches of the rules ana
discipline Of railroads working injury or de.
structiou, and also Of The working Of "the
"system of railroad transportation 10 It's
" bearing upon the business and prosperity
"of the State, and report the same, together
with such suggestions as to the general rail.
road policy of the State IS they deem proper.
I'd. ga bill 10 protect persons and pro-
perty affected by the operations of railroads"
This bill somewhat hurries the remedies
against railroad companies for injuries done
by their roads. For instance, In the cases OF
the killing OF stock, If the company fails to pay
the damage done within thirty days after 1t is
ascertained, and the notice Of the fact shall
be served upon "any officer or station or
ticket agent" Of such corporation, then the
owner shall be entitled to recover double the
value of the stock killed or injury done. The
bill prescribes means Of recovering from
companies compensation for every descrip-
tion Of injury done through carelessness or
neglect OF the empIo! Is OF company, or In
disregard of the rules and regulations Of
railroad company. 1t also provides sum-
mary aud severe punishment for the placing
OF distractions on any railroad track. The
offence is pronounced felony, punishable
by confinement not less than one nor more
than ten years in the penitentiary; and
should death ensue from such obstruction,
the offender shall be held guilty of murder
in the first degree and punished accord
ingly.
With regard to these bills We think they
contain provisions that few can except to;
but the first named of them is defective in
the board of commissioners it provides. No
pers ons could be more reliable for the con.
scientious performance of what they do
than the Governor, Treasurer, and Secretary
of the Commonwealth. But we do not con-
slider it practical kind of craftsmanship that
would for economy impose duties requiring
time and study upon officers whose duties
already demand their close attention, and are
of nature to be disturbed or complicated
by the cares and responsibilities of other
offices. .....,.
We have always thought that duties that |
were essential to the State and community
ought to be entrusted 10 reliable men, and to |
ensure their faithful performance ought to
be paid for. The State ought not to attempt
to be too economical in such matter. She
should not exact extra services of her officers
without compensation for them, and she will
have the public service all the better per-
formed by wise partition OF public duties
and never embarrassing faithful public SER
want by imposing upon him variety of du-
ties that are incompatible with one another.
With regard to the supervision proposed
by this bill, we should think it would be
properly entrusted to board Of public
works, and such board the State should
have-no er o6icio body composed of the
Governor, &C., as at present, one not
paid for its services. Elevate the dignity of
the State at least SO much as to escape the
rather unpleasant concession that she is too
poor to pay her public servants. In the
name OF reason let free the Governor and
the Observation-Disclosures from all conflicting re-
sponsibility. Let the officers discharge such
duties as belong to their offices, and EN-.
barrass and burden them with DO others.
Well. performed duties deserve just COM
pensation. And overlooking faithful off,
GERS is not the best way to- ensure content.
ment and efficiency in the public service.