River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-12-16
IL. X. COMMISSION.

Report to the Minnesota Legislature.
of the board % railroad and warehouse com
missioners Of Minnesota
To the Honorable Legislature Of the state
of Minnesota:
In accordance with the requirements of
sec. 9 Of the act for the regulation of rail
road companies. approved March ;, 1855
we herewith submit to the Legislature sucit
amendments and changes in the laws, with
the execution Of which we have been
charged, as our experience and inyestiga-
tons have led us to believe demand your
attention.
In making these suggestions, the com
mission make no claim to originality; they
have, however carefully studied the legis-
lation and proposed legislation of other
states and of the United States in reference
to the subjects embraced in these suggested
bills, and the result of their labors are
herewith respectfully submitted
For good and important REASONS We have
deemed il essential to more definitely define
the duties and powers of the commission.
These duties ard powers are now included
in the act of March D 1855, entitled IAN act
for the regulation Of railroad companies -
The blending Of two or more distinct sub
jects in the above law is open to the criti-
cism that il is not in accord with sec. -, art.
1. Of the constitution 1t has therefore been
( considered of great Importance that these
duties and paNeTS be embraced in a bill es-
pecially designed fec feat PURPOSE and
strictly in accordance with tho rule ~ tha
constitution. as set forth in the $ ctiOn above
referred to, which says mo law shall en-
brace more than one subject, which shall be
expressed in the title
These duties and powers are therefore pre-
sented in one proposed act, with a title in
' dicating the purpose and intent OF the law.
VI have endeaVOred 10 embrace in this
suggested Law such provisions only as are
/ in the highest degree important, ami such
as the ripest experience Of more advanced
states have proven and tried and such as
| the courts have sustained.
! It's proper also to state that the bin here
1 formulated contains the essential elements
4 OF the bin introduced into the senate Of the
United States by the committees VI inter
( state commerce, with such changes as were
4 necessary 10 proposed regulation of rail
roads bS state authority.
Should the substantial features Of the
I inter tatC commerce bill become a law
| as our own mfmbErs Of congress now be
/ lieYe, the great Importance ofouT state Lax :
/ regulating corporate control working har
moniously with q national statute to the
same purpose, viii be fully conceded.
/ Even should that bill fail, we viii We have
/ awaited ourselves Of the most advanced
I ideas and dearest principles restraining
| corporate aggression yet enunciated.
1 Ii addition to this, other subjects than
| those OF the powers and duties OF the com
mission, and unproyided for in the existing
statutes, are herewith presented la separate
i bills. in order that each may stand upon its
merits, and not prejudice Others which the
legislature. in It's wisdom. may deem inn
portant. The principal reasons which have
suggested the necessity for these proposed
measures are given with each act. including
thas also of a proposition for a constitutional
amendment Attention is invited 70 pro-
prosed change N the tenure of Office Under
the present law, al the commissioners 60