The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-03-16
THE RAILROAD BILL.

AxIeeo upon Oy the second conference COm-
mittee and passed by both Houses of the
Legislature:
Be mated By the Legislature of the State
Of Kansas:
Section l. No railroad company shall
charge or receive rate in excess OF
three cents per mile for the transporta-
tien of any passenger who is over twelve
years of age, upon any railroad in this State,
nor in excess Of half that sum per mile for the
transportation Of any passenger of the age of
twelve years or under. Each passenger over
twelve years Of age paying fare shall be en-
titled to have transported without any addi-
tional charge, baggage not exceeding 100
pounds In weight, and each passenger Of
twelve years of age and under, paying fare,
shall be entitled to have transported without
additional charge, baggage not exceedin <
fifty pounds in weight.
Section 2. The Executive Council, shall,
before the first day OF April next, elect three
competent persons, who shall constitute q
Board of Railroad Commissioner, and who
shall hold their Offices from the dates of their
respective election for the terms of one,
two and three years from the first day of
April next. The Executive Council shall In
like manner, before the first day Of April in
each year thereafter elect . Commissioner, to
continue in office for the term of three years
from said date; and In case any vacancy occurs
In said Board, by resignation or otherwise,
shall In the same manner elect Commissioner
to serve for the residue Of the term. The EX-
ecutive Council may, at any time, remove
such Commissioners, or any of them,
and elect others to I'LL the vacancy: and ali
votes cast by each member of the Executive
Council for the election Of any person TO the
office Of Railroad Commissioner, or removal
from the same, shall be recorded in journal
kept by them Tor that purpose, which
journal shall be kept open at all times to pub
lie inspection. The said Board Of Commits
sioners shall have authority to appoint a
Secretary and remove him at pleasure.
No person owning any bonds, stock,
VI property In any railroad company,
10 in any way or manner pecuniarily in
terested in any railroad, shall be eligible
to the Office o. Railroad Commissioner or
Secretary of said Board. Said Railroad Com
missioners and Secretary shall be qualified
electors Of the State; provided, that not more
than two Of the Commissioners shall belong to
the same political party. Said Commissioners
and Secretary shall be sworn to the due and
faithful performance of the duties of their re-
spective offices before entering upon the dis
charge OF the same. Each of said Commss on
ers shall enter into bonds, with security, to
be approved by the State Treasurer, in the
sum OF $4,000, conditioned for the faithful
performance Of his duties.
Section g. Said Commissioners shall keep
their office in the capitol, or at some other
suitable place in the City Of Topeka SAID
Board or any member thereof may act
officially in any part Of the State.
They shall each receive q salary of 5000 per
annum, and the Secretary shall receive a sal
airy of 81 800 per annum, to be paid as the
salaries of other State officers are paid; and
said Board shall be provided, at the ex-
pense of the State, with necessary Office furni-
ture and stationery.
Section 4. To provide fund for the pay
tNfx ar;n and .
the Board of Commissioners and the Secretary
the Board shall certify to the Auditor OF State,
on or before the Goth day of May In each year,
the amount necessary to defray the same, which
amount shall be divided prorats among the
several railroad companies, according to the
State, and the Auditor shall thereupon certify
70 the County Clerk Of each county the amount
due from the several railroad corporations
located and operated In said county, and the
County Clerk shall place the same on the tax
rolls Of his county to be collected the same as
other taxes upon railroad property, and the
County Treasurer shall account to the State
for the same, the same as provided by law for
other State funds;' provided that in morgan
lied counties the amount Is found due from
railroad companies therein shall be included
In and levied and collected with such taxes as
are levied and collected by the State from
railroad companies located in said morgan
lied counties.
Section s. Said Commissioners shall have
the general supervision Of all railroads In the
State operated by steam, and all express COM
panies, sleeping car companies, and all other
persons, companies or corporations doing
business as common carriers In this State, and
shall inquire into any neglect or violation Of
the laws OF this State by any person,
company or corporation engaged in the
business OF transportation Of persons or
property therein, or by the officers, agents
or employees thereof, and shall also from
time to time care ully examine and inspect
the condition of each railroad in the State, and
of its equipment and the manner of its con-
duct and management with reference to the
public safety and convenience. Whenever in
the Judgment OF the Railroad Commissioners
it shall appear that any railroad corporation or
other transportation company fails, in any re-
of its charter or the laws of the State, or when
ever in their judgment any repairs are neces
sary upon its road, or any addition 20 its roll
ing stock, or any addition to or change of its
stations or station houses, or any change
in its rates for transporting freight or
or any change in the mode Of operating
It's road and conducting its business
is reasonable and expedient in order to pro-
mote the security, convenience, and accom-
mediation of the public, said Commits
s.oners shall inform such corporation OF
the improvement and changes which they adj
u
writing to be served BY leaving a copy thereof,
certified by the Commissioner Secretary with
any station agent, clerk, treasurer, or any
director of said corporation; and q report of
the proceedings shall be included in the an
nual report of the Commissioners to the Legis-
lature. Nothing in this section shall be con-
strued Is relieving any railroad company or
other transportation corporation, from
their responsibility or liability for damage to
person or property.
Section g. Said Commissioners shall, on or
before the first Monday IN December in each
year, make a report to the Governor of their
doings for the preceding year, containing such
facts, statements and explanations a. will dis
close the working Of the system OF rail
road transpoi tation in this State, and
it, relation to the general business and
prosperity of the citizens of the State,
and such suggestions and recommendations
In respect thereto as NAV to them seem appro-
every railroad corporation doing business in
this State: First, the amount Of its capital
stock; second the amount OF its preferred
stock, II any, and the condition Of its prefer
ment; third, the amount of its funded debt,
and the rate of interest; fourth, the amount
OF its floating debt; fifth, the cost snd actual
present cash value Of its road and equipment,
including permanent way buildings and rolling
stock, all real estate used exclusively In op
Grating the road, and all fixtures and con-
veniences for transacting its business; sixth,
the estimated value Of all other property
owned by such corporation, with schedule OF
the same, not including lands granted in all
Of its construction; seventh, the number of
acres originally granted in aid of construction
Of its road by the United States, or by this
State; eighth, number of acres of such land
remaining unsold; ninth. list OF all its OFF,
GERS and directors, with their respective places
Of residence; tenth, such statistics OF the road
and of its transportation business for the year
as may, in the judgment Of the Commission
ers be necessary and proper for the informa-
ton Of the Legislature, or az NAV be required
by the Governor. Such report shall exhibit and
refer to the condition of such corporation on
the first day of July Of each year, and the de-
tails of its transportation business transacted