The Chickasaw messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1880-1900, 1881-03-10

y Tue Ietul ul clmufumiso Ot ulf-
ferent views upon this subject among
our Legislators. The drst four sec
tons Of the bin are directed against
unjust discrimination IN transpor-
tation against any individual, localI-
ty, or corporation" the principle
being laid down that "the main track
Of every railroad in this State is a
public highway, over which al per
sons have equal rights OF transporta.
ton for passengers and treights, on
the payment Of just compensation to
the owner Of the railroad for such
transportation" The 9TH section
provides that the approval Of rates
by the Railroad Commission shall
be prima facie evidence that such
rates are not extortionateA The
sixth section gives The railroads a
showing A. this is the ssction
which, together with the ffth, has
excited considerable discontent
among some Of the members OF the
Legislature, We shall give It en-.
tire:
"Be ufurther enacted. That no
rates. or charges for services, In the
transportation Of freight over any
railroad, shall be held or considered
extortionate. or excessive, in any
proceeding under this act, II it ap
pears from the evidence that the net
earnings Of such railroad for trans
porting freights, II done without un.
just discrimination, on the basis Of
such rate OF charge, together with
the net earnings from it's passenger
and other bafllc, would not amount
to more than a fair and just return
on the value Of such railroad, its ap-
purtenances and equipments"
This section does not strike us
unfavorably. People do not care
about running a railroad just for the
fun Of the thing. They are entitled
to a fair and just return on the value
Of a railroad, It's appurtenances and
equipments, just as much as people
who engage in any other enterprise.
The object OF railroad legislation
should be, not to prevent the roads
deriving a fair income, but to pro.
tect the public from overcharge, and
unjust and unfair discrimination.
BY section 8 it is provided that the
foregoing sections OF the act shall
not take effect until June lst, 1881.
Section Q enacts that tariffs Of rates
shall be posted at all depots, and
torbids reduction or rebate in such
tariff in favor OF any person OF cor
poration, which shall not be made in
favor Of all others. Special rates
may be given, however, to aid in de-
veloping any industrial enterprise
Both giVers and receivers of rebate
are liable to fne By section IL the
railroads are allowed to carry freight
free Of charge, II they are so dispOs-
ed. We doubt II many Of them will
avail themselves OF this permission.
The thirteenth and fourteenth sec
tions are devoted to the manner oi
election Of and other matters appsr'
tanning to the Railroad Commission
ers, synopsis Of which has already
been placed before our readers
/ Capt. Walter L. Bragg has already
been chosen President Of the Com
mission, and the telegraph will prob
ably bring us news Of the election 81
two associate Commissioners before
this meets the eyes Of our readers
The duties Of the Commission ar'
defined in the fifteenth and sixteenth
sections. They are ITO conside
and carefully revise ell tariffs o
charges for transportation submitted
to them BY any person or cOFpora
ton owning or operating 3 rallroa'
in this State and II In the judgmen
OF said Commission, any such charg'
Is more than just compensation TO
the service for which Il is proposes
to be made, or If any such eharg
amount to unjust discrlminatiol
against any person, locality, or cor
poration, the Commission shall not
ify the parties submitting the sam
OF the changes necessary to redue
the rate Of charges to just compensa
ton, and to svoid unjust discFimina
ton. When such changes are mad
: by the party submitting the tariff, 0
when none are deemed proper an
, expedient, the members OF the Com
mission shall append 3 certificate Q
It's approval to such tariff Of Chare
es." Precedent to this In section
OF the bill it is provided that no e.
tortion shall be deemed willful ~
less committed by a person or col
poratlon that has refused to subml
I its tariff to the Commission Or :
conform to its requirements. It
9 also the duty Of the Commission 7
] hear al complaints against any taFl
F. it has approved; /; to give informs
: ton in writing to corporations WheE
} ever It is Of the opinion that Fepail
T on railroads, additions TO EOliin
: stock, change OF station or static
Y house, change in the rate OF fare, Q
:. any change in the mode OF operatin
o The roai and conducting its business
Q are reasonable and sxpedient, en-
include a report OF the proceeding
= in its annual report 70 the LegiF !
y ture to examine the several railroad
+ n the State as often as It deems ne
essary: to meet At the State Capit'
d The arst Monday of every month e
cent September; TO visit the scei
IN OF railroad accident; TO confer ~
the Railroad Commissioners OF 9th
IS States to make an annual report
= the Governor on OF before the hI
le duv Of November fer transmission
D, the Legislature; and, on notice
the Governor, TO attend ell meetin
OF the Board Of Equalization
y Railroad Property.
y There arc also provisions IN
y bill In regard TO the returns o n
| road property for taxation, and
le turns to be made by railroads to
Y Commission. The Commission
70 empowered, on the application ol
dire,tor, or OF any person or perso
:. owning one lltiolh part Of the capi
IL stock Of any corporation, 70 exam
~ into iss financial condition !