Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-01-25
WEST VIRGINIA. LEGISLATURE.

The standing committees of the Senate
were announced on the 18th, and we OBJ,
servo that Senator Faulkner 10 Chairman of
the committee on Federal Relations, and
member of committees on Judiciary, Peni
Tertiary, Forfeited. Delinquent, aud Uaap-
prorriated Lands. and Rules; Senator Da-
visson on Counties and Municipal Corpora>
lions, Roads aud Navigation. and Militia.
A bill has been introduced to change the
date of the general State election, in order
to have the same held at the time of the
Presidential election.
Ia the standing committees Of the House,
Delegate Beekwith is Chairman of the Com
mittee on Earolled Bills, and member of
the Committees on Judiciary and Education.
Delegate Grantham is Chairman Of Roads
and Internal Navigation, and on the. Com
mittees on Taxation and Finance, and Rail
roads.
Mr.. Faulkner ON leave presented 8. BIS
10 and IL. The first is a bill in relation to
the entry of orders, judgments, DEGREES. etc
made by Judges Of the Circuit Courts during
vacation. The other is a bill to preserve the
purity of elections. aud is in relation tn
fraudulent ballots They were appropriately
referred. Mr. Faulkner alsu-presentea 8 j
R, No g, which provides for certified cop
les Of records of original patents and sur.
Veys aud military and treasury warrants of
record in the land ofic e of the State of Vir.
sinia at Richmond. which have been refer
red to all lands within the boundaries of the
State of West Virginia. This resolution
was referred to the judiciary.
A hin noe ;,.raJ,..l l.. A.
requiring trustees to sell real or personal
property to give bond or approved security.
Heuso Bill No. Al, introduced January 10
1881. by j.. w Granthan. OF Jefferson.
and referred to the Committee On Rail-
roads
Sec l. Provides for three commissioners
to be appointed by the Governor, by and
with the advice of Senate. Que is to b, ex>
perienesd in railroad affairs and one n law
yer, bat mono to be officer, agent or empleye
of any railroad. First commissioner TO
serve two, four and six years. aud an ap
polntment to be made every two years.
2 Provides for a secretary, and fxes his
compensation also provides for an office for
commissioners; a%ppropriates money for ex>
penses.
3. commissioner to ride free on off cial
business.
4. Commissioner ':shall have general su.
pervision over all the railroads of West Vir.
GINA" and shall examine the same from
time to time and keep Themselves Informed
as to their condition. manner of operation.
security. safety, and as to how they comply
with their charter.
5. Managers operating railroads of this
State to furnish eenR issionsr all inform.
ton required. including copies of all leases
contracts and nerecmonts; also all rat, on
their own and connecting lines. whether
local or through. and ID this or other States
3. Comm isSinnsrs to examine tariffs. and
It found 10 excess of "a just and reason able
rate they shall change the same and report
them to the railroad companies. II railroad
companies are satisfied q day shall be apnoin
ted when they will be heard by the Commits
sloners and the decision of the commission
ers on such hearing. Provides for printing
rates and posting them, and such rates shall
be the lawful rates until suspended by other
tariffs, revised aad attested in like manner
Provides for changes in tariffs by commits.
sioners from time to time.
Provides that the commissioner shall
make such just and reasonable rules and
regulations az may no necessary for prevent
ing any unjust Discrimination in transrorta
ton, aud shall make rules to prevent the
giving or paying of rebates, bonus. etc and
from misleading and deceiving the public as
to the real rates charged and CON fers power
ON the commissioner by rules. etc to ad
just the difference in rates to be allowed for
longsr and shorter distances on the same or
different railroads.. and so def"e what shall
be the limits Of longer aud shorter distan.
css
8 Provides power on commissioner to
ronrIra farain- ool -
companies to fence as required commissions
ers subject companies to double liability for
stock killed, sx"neratss erm panies fram LA.
bility for stock killed on portions of road
properly fenced.
8 Requires companies to make annual
reports to cnm nissiouers en- or before Sep>
TENDER lsf OF business done sp to June 80
Reports to be made 10 duplicate or blanks
furnished by commissioners Imposes per-
atty of $50 per day for failure to make and
return reports.
lO. Requires commissioner twiec q year
to examine railroads in the State, and shall
recommend in writing to railroad companies
tho adoption of such measures and recula-
tiens as eom missieners deem conducive to
public safety and interest and the failure te
comply with such recommendations shall
make such company liable for any damages
iuSuilco ~ o'HSe4uehce OF sucn failure.
IL. Requires reports to be made by COM
pennies to commissiaDer within twenty. four
hours thereafter of accidents to trains attnn-
ded with serious personal injury and on such
notice or public ruwor all or more of the
commissioners may go to scene Of accident
and ascertain facts. &C.. connectad there
with. Of which record is to be made.
IL. Commissioner may summon and ex-
anime witnesses in relation to affairs of anv
railroad company and whoever shall refuse
without iust,fable cause to annear and taafi.