, 1874-02-21
been tried nnd found not to be- wanting. We
commend it to the attention Of both parties to
tho trouble that has served as our toxt
RAILROAD c0MM1ssIoNERs IN WISCONSIN

RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS IN WISCONSIN.
! Wisconsin is likely to have Board OF Rail
road Commissioners. 4 bill has been reported
Legislature for its creation. Though the pro-
| posed system Of executive supervision IN Wis
consin is modelled after tho illinois law.
there are material differences, both in the
| way Of additions and omissions, which have
| evidently been suggested by the expert
| ence under the Qliuo1s law The Board
| is to consist Of three Commissioners, to be ap-
! pointed by the Governor, aud to servo three
/ yearB, one Commissioner retiring at the end OF
every year; and they arc to have tho general
supervision not only Of the railroads, but also of
the telegraph aud express companies in the
State. It ia provided that the officers OF every
railroad, telegraph and express company shall
make annual statement, undor oath, Of the busi-
the names and residence OF the stockholders,
etc. Forms for these reports are embodied
in the law which require tho most comprehen-
sive and minute exhibit Of the raiiroad, tele-
~AFA%1A
addition to these, the Commissioners arc en-
powered to make special examinations st any
time, issue subpuuas for Witnesses, and compel
attendance
The proposed Law prohibits unreasonable
charges and unjust discrimination in much
the same terms as the Illinois Law, but
it docs not provide for any oflcia
schedule OF rates which shall be
p11,'ta Jdcie evidence of the justice md reason
ableness Of the charges. Either party to suit
for e1tortionato charged or unjust disc1imiua-
ton has the right to trial by jury. Upon con-
Vletion, the offending railroad telegraph, or
express company is subjected to fine Of not
less than $500. nor more than $4,000, for each |
of1enae, besides liability for damages in five
times tho amount Of tho actual damages ans- !
tanned by the injured party. It is mnde un-
lawful, however, for any railroad, telegraph, t
OF express company to Charge "auy greater /
amount than the customary, established rates !
received By them respectively for and during tho
first %eex OF June, A. D. 1872" Fhlch is
more arbitrary rule than that of the Illinois law
empowering the Commissioners to establish |
:arins as prinsa .fdcie evidence OF reasonable
:harges. It is proposed to give the WISCONSIN
Board broad latitude in the adjustment Of cases
brought before them, which is evidently to guard
against needless litigation.
In addition to the creation of the Board of
Commissioners and the fixing OF their duties
he Wisconsin bill makes it unlawful for any
Director officer Of railroad corporation to be
except as stockholder, in con-
ract, lease, OF other ngrcemeut entered into by
he company, and all contracts made in viola
ion Of this aection arc declared void. Any will
u1 neglect OF refusal Oh the part Of Director or
dicer OF railroad company to comply With ,
he provisions OF the Law is declared felony. .
with from one to five years i'm i
tisonment in the state Prison. Under the law.
is the duty Of the Commissioners to bring
nit against, and Ut the District Attorneys to
Prosecute, all railroad, express, and telegraph
ompanies, or the oaicera thereof, that violate
ny Of its provisions.