The Aberdeen examiner. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1866-current, 1884-03-20

AN ACTto provide for the the regulation
of freight and passenger rates on rail
roads in this State, md to create Il
commission to supervise the same, and
for other purposes.
SECTION ]. Be it enacted by the Legis-
lature of the State of Mississippi, That
the track of every railroad in this State
is public highway over which all per.
sons have equal rights of transportation
for passengers and freights on the pay>
ment of just compensation to the owner
of the railroad for such transportation;
and any person or corporation engaged
in transporting passengers or freights
over any railroads in this State, who
shall exact. receive or demand more
than the rate specified in any bill of H.
ding issued by such person or corpora
ton, OF who for its advantage, or for the
advantage of any connecting line, or for
any person Or locality, shall make any
discrimination in transportation against
any individual, locality, or corporation
shall be guilty of extortion.
SEC. Q. Be it further enacted, Thatthe
party injured may recover of the person
or corporation guilty of extortion, as de-
fined in this act, twice the amount of
damages sustained by the overcharge or
discrimination, as tho case may be, in
any court having jurisdiction of the
amount IN any county where the person
or corporation operating the railroad
does business. And that such actions to
recover damages under this act shall
be commenced within ninety days after
the cause Of action accrues.
SECS. Be it further enacted, That any
person or corporation who shall commit
extortion as defined by this net, shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor, and on con-
viction shall be fined not less than ten
nor more than five hundred dollars; pro-
vided, that no action for damages shall
he sustained for extortion. or penalty in
hicted for violation of this act, against
any person or corporation who has pres
viously submitted its passenger rates
and schedule of freight charges to the
railroad commission hereinafter estab-
lished, and which has been approved by
said commission, and complied with by
said railroad company.
SEQ. 4. Be it further enacted, That a
commission is hereby created to consist
OF three 90 c m nissioners, with quail
fications required by law for other State
officers, to be known as the railroad Com
mission of the State of Mississippi, whose
term of office shall be two years, and I'M.
til their successors are appointed and
qualified, and said commissioners shall
each take the oath prescribed by law for
other State officers, and give bond in the
sum of ten thousand dollars, payable to
the State of Mississippi, with or two more
good sureties, to be approved by the
Governor, for the faithful performance
of these duties as such commissioners,
and said bond shall be fled in the office
of the Secretary of State; and thereupon
the Governor shall issue COMMISSIONS
accordingly,
SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That i'm
mediately nfter the passage of this act,
the Governor, with tho advice and con-
sent of the Senate, shall appoint said
Railroad Commissioners. And if vscan-
cies OCCUR by death, resignation, or 9th
erwise, when the Legislature is not in
session, such vacancies shall be filled by
appointment, to be made by the Gov
ernor; such appointees to hold their Off
ce until the next meeting Of the Legisla-
ture thereafter, when their sccessors shall
be appointed as herein provided, The
salary of each commissioner shall be two
thousand five hundred dollars per
annum, to be paid from the State Treas
ury in the manner provided by law for
salary of other State officers, and the
commission may employ clerk at sal
AIRY not to exceed fifteen hundred dollars
to be paid in like manner. No person
IN the employ of any railroad corporation
nor any person owning or operating a
railroad in this State, or owning any
stock in any railroad corporation, shall
be eligible to the Office of commissioner
Of railroads. And any commissioner here
in provided for, who shall directly or in
directly accept any gift, gratuity, en-
olument or employment from any per
son or corporation owning or operating
any railroad during his continuance in
office, shall forfeit his office and may be
impeached and removed from Office for