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

business operations of such railroad fJT
year preceding such report; which repur
shall be verified by oath or affirmation OF The
president ur treasurer of the railroad con-
pany making such report, sworn or affirmed
before some person authorized by the laws Of
the State to administer oathS and
afiirmations. 1t shall also be the
duty of said railroad companies To
submit their books and accounts to the
inspection of the said commissioner, when
ever requested to do 80 by said commissioner.
No hindrance whatever shall be made by any
railroad corporation chartered in this Sta te
to the commissioner IN the discharge OF lis
proper duties. III any railroad company shall
refuse or neglect to make the report required
by this section by the time required, or shall
refuse to submit its books and accounts to
the inspection Of said commissioner when e.
queSted to do 80, such railroad company 80
neglecting or refusing shall in each case for
feit aud pay to the State of Delaware the sum
of sl,UUO, to be recovered with costs by suit
in the name of the State of Delaware 10
debts of like amount are now by law recovt T.
able.
Sec. g. No request nor advice of the rail
road commissioner shall have effect to in-
pair III any manner or degree the legal duties
OF obligations OF any railroad corporation OF
its legal liability for the consequence of its
acts or the neglect or inismanagement OF any
Of its agents, employees, or servants.
Sec. g. The railroad commissioner shall,
sometime during the month of January neAt /,
and annually thereafter in the month of jan
uary, make report in writing of his doings
including such statements, facts aud explana-
tons as will disclose the actual workings Of
the system of railroad transportation in its
bearings upon the business snd prosperity of
the State and such suggestions and recom-
mendation5 rs to the general railroad policy
of the State, or any part thereof or as to the
condition OF any railroad corporations as may
Seem to him proper. Such annual report
shall be made to the General As
sembly of this State il then in session, but
if i'll year when tho General Assembly of
this State shall not be in session, such report
shall be made to the legislative committee
appointed to settle with the State treasurer
aud auditor OF accounts, during the session
of such committee. The General Assembly,
if the report be made to it, or the legislative
committee, If the report be made to it, may,
if they think it feasible to do 30, cause the
whole of such report, or any part or parts
thereof, to be published, at the expense Of the
State, for the information of the people
thereof. The commissioner may also from
time to time and as often as in his Judgment
it may seem advisable to do 10, make such
reports to the governor of this State, and the
governor may if he deem it proper to do so
for the information of the people, cause any
such special reports or any part or parts
thereof to be published at the expense OF the
State.
Sec. 10. The annual salary of the railroad
commissioner shall be $780, payable quar-
terly by the State Treasurer. The commits
sioner shall be provided with an office in the
State House or some other suitable place in
which their records, books and papers shall
be kept, and may employ and take with him
experts or other agents whose services he
may deem to be temporarily important and
he may draw upon tho State Treasurer for a
sum not exceeding 800 annually, to be ex
pended by him in paying the experts or othe-
agents whose services he may deem temper
arily important, and in procuring the neces
sary books, maps, statistics, reports and
stationery and in defraying expenses Incl
dental and necessary to the discharge of the
duties of his office. A statement of such ex-
penses shall accompany his annual report.
Sec. IL. The annual expenses of the rail
road commissioners, including salary shall be
paid by the State Treasurer out Of any
moneys in the treasury of the State not other
wise appropriated.
Sec. II. This act shall not be taken tu
authorize the said commissioner to inquire
into any executed contracts made before the
passage of this act.
A.lf