Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-03-17
AFTERNOON SESSION.



AFTERNOON SESSION.
Senate met at 3 p. m.
The following bills We're read second
and referred to the committees named
The Senate bill for the better security
of life and limb in case of fire. Committee
on Revised Statutes. This is Il sulisti-
tute for the House bill, which by mutual
agreement has been indefinitely post
poned. The Senate substitute is con
sidered more comprehensive in its
character.
The House bill to incorporate the
Cathedral Cemetery Company of VIII
mington. Committee on Corporations.
The bill amendatory of the charter of the
Wilmington Great Valley Turnpike
Company. Same committee.
The House bill in relation to attach
ment OF property under mesne process.
Committee on Revised Statutes.
The House bill for the preservation of
the public health. Referred to a special
committee.
The bill prohibiting stock from running
at large in district No. III, Sussex
county-Comnittee on Agriculture.
The bill in relation to the Sisters OF st.
tions.
Mr.. Cooch introduced and had read 4
bill to amend the insurance law of the
State. Reported iu Tuesdays EVERY
| EVENING.
The House bill to incorporate Triple
Link Lodge of Odd Fellows, of Frederica,
was read Il first time.
The bill to lay out Il new road in North
,ply
read first time.
The House bill authorizing the Superior
Court to deposit or invest certain moneys,
the owners of which are non-residents or
cannot be found, was passed.
Mr.. Cooper gave notice of Il bill ''to
provide u uniform ticket for election par
poses.' The bill is intended to further
secure the secrecy of the ballot by stipu-
lating that all tickets shall be- alike in
outward appearance, so that it cannot be
told what party ticket any individual
votes.
Mr.. CoOch gave notice OF bill for the
appointment of 4 railroad commissioner.
The full text of this bill is as follows:
Be enacted de-, Sec. /. There shall be a
railroad commissioner appointed by the Gov
ernor OF this State within thirty days after
the passage of this act the said commits
sioner shall be appointed for the term of two
years. At the expiration of the term the
same commissioner may be reappointed for
two years or another person may be appointed
commissioner i'll his place for two years. If Il
vacancy shall occur by DEATH resignation or
otherwise, an appointment shall be made by
the governor for the residue of the term so
made vacant. The said commissioner, before
entering upon the duties of lis office, shall
be sworn or affirmed. faithfully, honestly and
diligently to perform the duties of his office,
which oath or affirmation may be administered
by any Judge, Justice of the Peace or Notary
Public of this State. No person in the employ
OF any railroad company or owning any stock
in any railroad company in this State, either
in his own right or trustee for anothers or
others, shall he appointed commissioner
under this act or hold said of1ioe.
Sec. 2. No person holding the office of
railroad commissioner shall, personally or
through any partner or agent, render any
professional services, or make OF perform anv
business contracts with or for any railroad
| company chartered under the laws of this
State, excepting contracts made with such
company in its capacity of common carrier
nor shall h Q. directly or indirectly, receive
any commissisn, bonus, discount present OF
reward of any kind from any such railroad
company.
Sec. 8. The said commissioner shall have
the general supervision Of all railroads III this
keep himself informed as to their condition
and the manner in which they are operated.
with reference to the safety, security ana
| accommodation of the public, and the com
piance Of the several railroad corporations
with the provisions Of their charters and the
laws of this State and the provisions of this
act shall apply to all railroads and the corpor-
ations, trustees OF others owning the same.
Sec. 4. Whenever in the Judgment of the
railroad commissioner it shall appear that
any railroad corporation, chartered by this
State, has violated any law OF this State. or
neglects i'll any respect or particular to comply
with the provisions of the act Or acts by which
it was created, or with the provisions of any
of the laws of this State, he shall give notice
thereof in writing to the president of said
corporation if residing within this State or.
il not residing within this State. to any
director of such corporation who may reside
in this state and it the violation or neglect
shall continue after such notice, the commits
sioner shall forthwith present the facts to the
Attorney General of this State, who shall
take such proceedings AZ he shall deem expe-
dient.
Sec. 5. Whent YER, i'll the Judgment of the
| railroad commissioner, it shall appear that
repairs are necessary upon any snch railroad
or that any additions to the rolling stock or
any additions to or change Of station houses,
| or any changes i'll the rates of fares for trans
portation of freight or passengers, or any
change in the mode of operating the road on
| conducting its business. arc reasonable or
| expedient in order to promote the safety,
| security, convenience and accommodation of
| the public, he shall give notice in writing to
| the president of such corporation if residing
in this State, or, if not residing within this
| State, to any director of such corporation, of
the improvements and changes which may
| be adjudged to be proper and report of
| the proceeding shall be included in the annual
report Of the commissioner hereinafter pro-
vided for.
Sec. 6. Every railroad corporation char.
| tered under the laws of this State shall at all
times, on request made to the president
! thereof, furnish to the railroad commissioner
any information required by him concerning
the management and operation of its railroad
and particularly copies of its leases, contracts
and agreements for transportation with
express companies, individuals or other cor
porations or otherwise, to which il is party;
and, also the rates for transporting freight
and passengers upon its road or roads run or
operated by it, or with which its business is
connected. And, if il shall appear from such
| information, or from any other information
obtained by such commissioner that any rail
road corporation chartered under the laws of
this State has made any discrimination in
freight charges against any corporation, indi-
vidual association or company Of individuals,
or locality, the said commissioner shall forth
with bring such facts to the notice of the
Attorney General, and shall also report the
same to the Governor.
Sec. T. That it shall be the duty of every
railroad corporation chartered under the laws
of this State by the 10th Of January in each
and every year hereafter, to make a report to
the commissioner created by this act, show
ing the receipts and expenditures Of such