The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-01-11
STATE LEGISLATION ON RAIL
ROADS.


During the past year ttstutes Of great
er or less importance were enacted In
several of the states affecting the prop
erty, rights and dutjes of railroads and
the following Interesting summary Of
such legislation has been complied by
the Topeka Capital. for the information
Of Kansas Legislators and Others:
Discrimination by railroad companies
ia their charges for transportation are
prohibited by new laws in Kentucky.
South Carolina and Massachusetts.
The South Carolina act is q general
railroad law, deliberately and carefully
drawn, and provides for the appointment
Of three commissioners, who will have
power to tx the charges for freight and
passenger traffic and TO make rules and
regulations for the government of the
railroads. They are also given power
to investigate the books Of the different
companies and to compel them to obey
the orders of the commissioners.
In Kentucky 1t is required that
chargedfor transportation by rail shall be
the same for like freight over equal dis
tsnces, and for like cars for like pur-
poses between the same points; all re-
bates and evasions Of The law being pro-
hibIted under heavy penalties. In this
state also, as In South Carol,Ba, board
of railroad commissioners is appointed
with extensive powers, charged with
the duty Of enforcing the provisions OF
law in respect to such corporations.
Other acfs relate to various minor mat
tiers touching railroad corporations.
In Mississippi provision, is made for
railroad stock when authorized by
two-tbirds Of the legal voters at an
election held therefor; but it is some
what amusing. after reading what
seems to be a general law for this pur-
pose, 10 find at the close Of the act that
il applies only TO six named counties in
the state.
In Connecticut all railroad compa-
mics are required t. provide freight car
couplers which shall not require any
person to go between the cars TO couple
them.
In MassacLu ,etts IL IL required that
every passeDge car thsn carry two
complete Gets Of tools for use IN case of
accident, and that every drawing room,
passenger or other car carrying healing
apparatus shall have safe guards against
fire approved by the railroad commits
sioners. Special provision Is also made
In Massachusetts, for the Incorporation
of railroad relief societies formed by
railroad employees.
In Texas railroad companies IN gen.
eral are prohibited TO demand from pas
seugeTs fare exceeding 8 cents a mile,
and every passenger is authorized TO
carry 100 pounds of baggage free. An
other Texas statute, under the general
head ofraIlroads, which has Il peculiar
local significance, is an act repeating d
former act granting land certificates in
aid of the construction of railroads; the
enactment of which is explained by the
recital Of the fact that the public do
main subject TO location by the holders
of such certificates has been exhausted.
In Iowa an act was passed making it
felony for any unauthorized. person to
NEEDLE or interfere with air Brakes or
bell ropes on railroad trains, or TO run
locomotives or hand cars upon any rail-
road track without authority; an author
ity is given to railroad conductors 10
make arrests for such oifensCs.
Another act in which that state re-
stricts the power of railroad corporations
TO condemn land tor building sites or
depots, by excluding theFefFoW any pub
lie land or private improved property
unless with the owners consent. So far
as my observation goes. this is the first
instance of legislative restriction upon
the exercise by railroad corporations of
the right of eminent DOMAIN for any
purpose pertaining to their business;
and it applies as stated. not to the con-
domination Of land for railroad tracks,
| but only for depots and buildings