St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-04
The Railroad Bill.


The railroad bill adopted creates a commits.
sion Of three persons, styled railroad and
warehouse commissioners, who are to hold
ofiite for two years after their appointment
by the governor, and one Of whom at least
shall be Of the leading opposite political party
g. the governor; the latter to appoint two
within thirty days after the bill goes into eff
feet, who with the present railroad commits
souer are to constitute the commission for
the first term, or until the first Monday in
January, 1857. No person is eligible who is
In any way connected with railroad com
pany or warehouse man, or interested in any
stock. bond or other property of a railroad or
warehouse, and commissioners can be re-
moved at any time upon sufficient evidence
OF molfcasaucc or nOnleasance Each com
missioner enters into $50, 600 bonds, receives
salary of s., 900 per annum, and the board
IS allowed a secretary at 81, 500 per aunum,
Office fixtures, postage and stationery at state
cxpeusc-SSO0 per auuum being the limit for
iucidentals Of this sort. They and their as
sstauts are to pass when on duty on all
railroad trains, and every company is
required by the 1St OF September each
year to give 4 true statement under oath of
its officers, OF the affairs OF the corporation,
the specifications numbering IL and EN-
boiyiug the most minute details; and pro-
vision Is made that such interrogations re-
latiug to the condition, operation and con
iroI Of The road as may be propouuded by the
commissioners and which are not embraced
in Che specifications shall be answered by the
companies. Commissioners shall report on
the LIST Of December Of each year, and
otteucr IL required by the governor, the
actual workings of railroad transportation in
. its bearings upon The business prosperity of
the people. with such suggcst ions rs may
seem appropriate, also examine any particu-
lar subject Ia connection with the condition
and management Of roads and report 70 the
governor as he may direct; also shall iuvesti-
Satc sud consider what amendment OF re-
vision of the railroad laws the best interest
Of The state may demand and make a suecfal
biennial report on this subject u tie legfs-
laturc; shall examine into MI matters con
cernjuS the business Of railroads so far as
they pertain to the public interest and to the
accommodation and security Of persons do
ing business Herewith, and whether The
laws Of the state are complied with. To enable
them - perform their duties il i
incumbent upon them 20 appoint one Of their
number O. yisit the various stations OF each
road as often as practicable. and AZ least once
iu three months 10 visit each county in tie
state 10 which is located station aud per
soually inquire into the management Of rail-
road business, railroad officials being required
q furaish all reasonable aud proper facilities;
no commissioner, however. % directly o.
indirectly veQu-st the appointment Of any
person 10 place or 10 accept any srstuity Of
any KIND whstever, and Il guilty thereof. o.
~ revealing any information gained from
one company - another. 90 20 person, he
Is % forfeit bis office and be subjec; 70 pun-
ishment Tor ulisdemean0r. Railroad books
AID papers are sGbiect TO examination during
business hours. aud all employees NAV be ex-
amiaed under oath upon any matter relating
% the condition aud management OF the
business Attachments must be issued OF
application 10 The courts fo- suv witness re-
fusiug 81 answer che commissioners sub
pcCaa. and such witness 3 liable for contemps-
Every Ccmqany or each attschs who shall
willlaiiy neglect 70 furnish any import ~
qulryd, % sao shall delay or oSstruci Tie