New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-19
PayLPO4D LEsLSi 4TTON IN 1850.

RAILROAD LEGISLATION IN 1850.
The laws of the year affecting railIO DIS are
numerous aud important NJ Indications are
noticed that any State is inclined TO do as has
lately been lfeed, viz: take possession of the
lines rs public highways and operate them
under official management Even when Cali
rornia and Iowa found it desirable. as they
did last spring. to pass laws providing for the
completion OF unfinished roads or the re-
yiyal of disu-cd ones, it does not seem to
have been thought that The State might step
III ; but the enactmcntS made were that such
read may be completed and operated by any
one else willing to do So or, that The rOld
stall revert 70 the original owner. Sui tic
construction of railroads by corporations and
the running of trains in the good old fash
toned way have been the subject of many new
Tuts.
California and Iowa have lcGislated in favor
of companies chartered by othor States; they
may extend then roads or construct branches
within Iowa, and in California may hire or
buy roads, ana, generally, MY 90 any rail-
road business. Mississippi roads have been
enabled t. change the gauge. as they please.
Kentucky has established a Railroad Commits
SION hike that which has long existed III Massa-
chrsetts or those which we're prescribed year
or TWO ago by the new constitutions of Cali
fornia and Georgia. In Newly TX, companies
desiring to reOrgauize have received permits
sion to increase their capital stock as may be
needful. Voting by proxy Is strictly forbid
den unless the person issuing the proxy has
possession or control of the shares repre-
scented as well as the ownership of them. And
the provision of the general railroad law
which used to require the operations of the
roads to be reported under five different gen.
eraI classes sundyidrd into one hundred
heads, has been changed so as to call for an
nual repOrts from all railroad companies.
framed in twenty tables embracing 232 dis
tlnct heads and subheads. The change is
well worthy the attention of persons IN other
States interested III the collection of railroad
statistics.
Misconduct peculiarly prcjudicial to railroads
has been the subject OF number of new
regulations. Throwing missiles or shoot
ing at train has been specifically
made punishable in Kentucky and Mas
sachusetts. Maine has given conductors
special powers to arrest persons guilty
of dsOrderly behavior or profane Ian
guage on trains, and NewYork has enabled
the Governor to confer similar authority for
the arrest of gamblers, and has ordered the
small boys off the platforms and steps. A
Maine statute prescribes fine and imprison
ment for combinations to stop or delay trains,
for Use Of violence or intimidation III opposition
to the service, OF even refusal OF gross neglect
on the part of employees to perform their
duties That State Is now fairly well
provided against strikes and riots. The
notable Connecticut law requiring en-
ployes to be examined for cOlOr-blind
ness has had abundant discussion for the
severe tests adopted by the examiners excited
both political parties to oppose any further
enforcement of the statute. Maine has taken
pains to forbid any car being left standing on
a main track unless constantly attended by
employees bearing danger signals, such as flags
by day and lanterns by night. In Iowa re-
qmremeut has been adopted Obliging all COM
panies running sleeping cars to keep ticket
Offices at all termin where diagrams may be
consulted and tickets bought. Michigan COM
panies have been enabled 10 sell unclaimed
freight or baggage after it has been kept one
year.
The great questions of discrimination in
freghts and the power of the companies to
change their tolls at pleasure which, during
1879. were regulated more or less extensively
in at least four States, have not, we believe,
been the subjects OF any important enactments
this year. And the general tone OF the legis-
lation of the year is, upon the whole, more
favorable to companies than to shippers of
freight and the travelling puolic. There are
more indications that railroad men have been
active and iudIcious in securing Improvements
in the management Of the great interests held
in their charge than that the representatives
of the people have been especially alert or
shrewd in detecting abuses, or vigorous in
announcing remedies.