Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-02-03

have two members of Assembly ;
Iowa and Richland will form a Sena-
torial district, and have two Assem-
blymen each Crawford will be at
tached to Vernon for a Senatorial dis
trict, and have one Assemblyman, and
Grant be fixed as above stated. Geo.
graphically, this apportionment will
be fair and just, and it seems as
though it must prove satisfactory to
all interests and parties at least, SO
near satisfactory as it is possible to
make it.
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
The railroad companies have pre-
sented their argument to the legisla-
tors in the shape of memorials, which
will probably be supplemented by
oral argument before the committee.
There are indications of softening
towards them, which will probably
result in the enactment Of more just
statute than the "Potter law" Just
what it may be no one can tell. The
bill introduced a few days ago by Mr..
Vance, of Milwaukee, IS understood
to be acceptable to the companies;
but, in its present shape, it is not &C
ceptable to the Legislature. The first
and second sections of this bill ''make
the State party to the management
of every railroad doing business within
its limits. The Railroad Commissioners
are to inquire into any neglect or vio-
lation of the laws and to examine
their condition, equipment, pecunlary
condition and financial management.
TO assist in this work the railroads
are required to furnish to the Com
missioners annually such information
as the latter may desire.
Sections three to nine forbid rail
road companies practicing discrimina-
tons, or receiving any unreasonable
price for their services, and require
them to furnish suitable cars and to re-
ceive and transport freight with rea-
sonable dispatch. No railroad is tc
be permitted to consolidate with any
competing line, and officers of rail
road and transportation companies
are forbidden to have any interest it
the furnishing of material or supplies
or in the business of transp ortatlon as
a common carrier over the lines o
their companies.
The tenth section provides that nc
railroad which was in operation IL
June, 1872, shall charge or receive
greater compensation than was fixec
by the schedule of rates in force OF
the fifteenth day of that month. 1t il
further provided that the G. NJ. q St
p. r. Company, and the G. & n. Il
Company, shall sell round trip tickets
as a uniform rate of 3 cents a mile
which is the same as the rate estab
lished by the Potter law"
The main objections to this bill are
that it is loosely drawn, and that the
penalties for violating it are INSULT
cient to prevent it's frequent violation
Another objection is that it only reg
ulates the price of fare when round
trip tickets are sold, and fails to pre-
vent extortion on other tickets. This
would be unjust and would take the
vitality out of the law. The prohibl
ton of discrimination is vague and I'm
satisfactory. There is not 50 much
objection to allowing the companies
the freight rates Of June, 1872, al
which time, | believe, they were
lower than ever before: but the rates
are not contained in the bill, which is
also an objection to it.
Senator Flint has introduced bill
to make the verdict of three fourths
of the Jurors in civil case as binding
as though all the jurors had agreed
thereto and Of eleven in crlmana
oooe, Of tho same force and effect as
if the twelve had acquiesced therein.
Numbers of the people are petition
ing for the adjustment of the office o
County Superintendent of Schools,
and for a law authorizing the State
Superintendent to appoint persons to
hold examinations for testing the Ca
liabilities of persons who desire to
teach. This measure is urged By
some on the theory that it will be
less expensive than the present sys
TEN 1t is said that Superintendent
Soaring fayors it.
No measure has yet been intro
duced looking towards compulsory
education Some one ambitious Of
fame would do well to prepare anC
introduce a good bill with this object
IN view.
Comparatively small number o
lobbyists have arrived yet, and those
are looking the pro and con of the
"dells" measure, and the railroad
interests. In all probability the mum
Der will increase from this time unit
the adjournment, which will be abou
the middle of March. J. II. B.