, 1874-01-07

present at most Of ther and 1t all majority Of the
the testimony Of over 500 shippers pertaining mostly
to tho duties noeed By the seventh section OF tho act
Of May 1873 The information thus acquired from the
Of great advantage, furnishing, as it did, vast
amount OF information could not have Obtained so
Wen IN any OF 9;heI way. The law also provides that
tsned by said SHALL in their Judgment
warrant such prosecution, it shall be the duty Of sail
Commissioners to Immediately cause quits to be COM
menoed and prosecuted against ANY railroad corpora
aons which may violate the provisions Of this act.
Such suits and prosecutions may be instituted in
countyfn the State, through into which the line OF
The railroad corporation sued for violating thia act
extend. And such Railroad and Warehouse Commits
soners arc hereby authorized, when the facts Of tho
case presented to them shall. in their Judgment war
rant tie commencement OF such action, to employ
such suit on behalf of the State.n
In order to enforce this provision Of the law, tie
Commissioners. on the 3,sh dry Of October, ls'3,
authorized The A1torney-cenerai tho Hon. James T.
Edsall to bring suit ng1inst the Chicago & North
western hatEoad Company. ut Freeport, stephensoe
County and the Illinois Central Railroad Company. at
Crbans, Champaign County. Tha quits breE2h:
Tor e1sorsiou, IL the name Of tie reoIlc, etc.. " the
roads men.ioned, IN an action Of debt, and pend
counties shove named. We have, as provided by law.
employed counsel to assist the Attorncy-Gcner4l in
conducting The Same on behalf Of the State. We offer
not Bringing other suits where The law has been voat
ed the fact that the schedules madu BY Ms do not be-
rates Of charges until tho 18Th day Of January ne1t
II was. therefore, thought best and were advised
BY our legal counseors, nos to bring any greater
evidence.
GENERAL nEMAEBs.
The creation OF railzoad corporations ara necessary
to accomplish Purposes beyou the rea. OF individual
enterprise, and It will not be denied that they have
contributed l1rgely to Advance the prosperity Of the
country They nave enriched and bound r-separated
seciious together In amicabe felattona. TIE growth
and Development Of tho Of our own Rroat
State are attributable in large degree to their agcn
Ff1nvh ttner iAeA
tutions Of the country, the commerce, trado. and
business OF tho people, that they cannot be dispensed
with, without the most appalling snd whitening effect
upon the vital interest anl prosperity OF 81. classes OF
the community.
On tile other hand, they cannot prosper, nor even
exist, for any great lrne of the friend
ship OF tae people, to whom they look for slppog and
fron whom sey ootained their rignt t. e1lst. How
very impcr then, that there should be tnusaal
recognition and acknowledgment o: each Others
SIs thereby sett Ing for all time to these Diff
friens Of opinion that place these great eorpo
viii ,ha u.os: rrspec for ose who u entsrtan
different opintn, do no: share In the belief that
any great eng Of time is ,eded for the settlement OF
these questions upon which the people and The corpo-
ratious are at variance. We have unbounded faith In
the people, the law, and the courts. With to sppf1-
that they will bring to bear look for speedy
settlement Of al existing troubles.
In conclusion, It gives us pleasure to express our
obligations to Your Exce.iency for the interest you
and for the many valuable suggeattons
pertaining to official duties In the several DEPART
uents Of our work (
To the Hon. 4. II. Benjamin we are largely indebted !
for aid Afforded In that part Of our report which rea.es
70 the Laws and decisions Of the courts. !
To the Hon. j. +. Edsal1, Attorney-Geuera TOR the t
oromEtnesB with which he has at all times responded
% the frequent demands made upon hin relating to
questions Of Law, etc.
We gratefully make our Acknowledgements also to |
c5l 7. j. Carc- for information r.a.ina to railroads
n general. Resp ctrul ; submitted.
(36n53j D. A. BnowE,
JSo. II. rEAEsoE,
Commissioners.