Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-10-22
VERMONT LEGISLATURE,
IMPORTANT MEASURES PROPOSED
IN BOTH HOUSES.
Another Railroad Commission I'ill - \
Bill Against Free Passes and Resulat-
ing Freight and Passenger Rates
Bills of Interest to Farmers.



From our own Correspondent
MONTPELIER, Oct. II. Another ava.
lanche of bills poured in upon both
branches of the Legislature to day In
the House in the morning a long railroad
commission bill was introduced by Gen.
Ripley of Mendon. Gen. Ripley's bill is
the second of its kind and was prepared
independently of Mr.. Higbee, of whose
bill had the general no knowledge, when
his own was prepared. In this I'LL It's
author has eudeavored to take from the
systems of railroad control in Massachu-
sets and New York all that is applicable
and desirable for this State and it is the
result Of long and careful study, of expert.
enced men 1t attempts to provide an
effective railroad commission, guarding
against oppression of the rights of rail
roads aud at the same time looking for
the Interests of the public 1t provides
for Il commission of three members to be
nominated 10y the governor and confirmed
by the Senate, to hold their Office six
years, and t. he appointed one every two
years; vacancies t. be filled by the COV
ernOr: no person who is connected
with railroad corporation to be eligible,
and no member to be allowed to
render any professional service for any
railroad. Meetings of the board, or Of Il
quorum of two, shall be held monthly
and it may examine books accounts, etc.
of railroads, subpoena witnesses, employ
experts, and enter offices and be trans
ported i'll cars of railroad companies free
Railroads shall furnish all information
concerning their business rates, contracts,
etc, to the board (Which may be made
public, on penalty of a fine of $1,000 or six
months Imprisonment for each refusal.
The board Is to have the general super
vision of all railroads, whether steam or
horse, and see that the charters and laws
are carried out and investigate the causes
of accidents When the commission think
that Il corporation have violated its con
stitutional powers, or any law, they shall
give notice to the corporation and report
to the Legislature, and II necessary notify
the States attorney to proceed against
such corporation. The commission shall
take notice of needed repairs in rOad-beds
want of rolling stock and its condition.
rates, etc, with view to prevent all
unjust determinations notice all failures
OF proper connections or accommodations
and make recommendations to the rail
road company. No recommendation of
the commission can impair the legal rights
of the railroads but if the commission
think that repairs are needed or that
charges ana I'll CS SDOuIQ De rc9nIoteu Tor
the public good they shall so recommend
to the railroad company and fix time
when changes shall be made; ana if the
railroad refuses to comply with such rea-
sOnable recommendation of the commits
sion then the Supreme Court may compel
compliance by writ of WunduHltS and the
findings of the board shall be priinu
tdCiC the facts in the case, and their
recommendations shall be considered
primd tdciC reasonable. The commits
sion shall report annually to the Iegis
lature and shall recommend needed legls-
laton. When any railroad is recognized
or any increase of stock is proposed to be
made the board shall examine the case:
and no such action shall be valid till APP
proved by the board. The railroads shall
establish a uniform system of accounts
The members of the commission shall be
paid IS per day and expenses and IA clerk
may have $500 per year and expenses pro
vided that the entire expense of the com
mission, including pr nting, cost of eX-
perts, witnesses, etc, shall be less than
$1,000 u year. This Is To be paid by the
State treasurer and by him apportioned
among the different railroads according
to the time occupied for each respective
ly-the pay for the general work of the
commission to be apportiOncd among ali
the railroads and to give annual incomes.
The office Of railroad commissioner Is
abolished.
The principal bill introduced into the
Senate during the day was the one by
Senator Stoddard of Windham county en-
Titled IAN act to prevent unjust dlSCrim-
nation 10y railroad companies This bill
provides that table of prices for the con
veyance of persons and freight between
the different stations of each road shall
be posted in the offices of the company
that the rates shall be the same for the
same kind and quantity of freight be
tween the same points and shall not be
raised without public notice of at least 10
days, and that all persons shall be allowed
reasonable time for the transportation of
freight that no passes shall be given to
any person nor any person be transported
without paying his fare, except stOckhold-
ers on the way to and from meetings of
the railroad, employees and directors, and
no rebate shall be allowed in fares
or rates for freight provided that
trip passes may be given TO poor and in
digCnt persons or families unable to pay
their fare; railroads may make Il general
reduction in rates and fares without notice
as above excursion and mileage rates are
allowed. and special rates to parties going
to special meetings, etc, but these mile
age and special rates must be impartial
and uniform. Section Il. No railroad cor
pOratlOn shall charge or receive for the
transportation of freight to any station
on its road a greater sum than is at the
same time charged or received for the
transportation of the like kind and quan.
tity OF freight from the same point OF de
parture to II station at a greater distance
on its road in the same direction, and the
same rule is to apply to two
or more connecting roads, c'roads" in
Guiding all leased lines, etc., and the
sum 50 charged and referred to to include
all terminal charges of whatever kind
Any corporation violating these proyis.
ions shall be liable not only for damages
caused to shippers by such discrimination,
but also TO Il penalty of $500, to be recover
ed in action Of debt by the party aggriev-
ed, suit to be begun within one year
The bill of Mr.. Ieck of Brook field intro
duced IN the House this morning, entitled
an act for the protection of stock, will be
of interest to farmers. 1t provides that
barbed wire fences shall consist Of at least
four strands and that a pole or board rail
ing shall be placed at the top OF all such
fences.
a bill was introduced by Mr. Fitch of
Hlghgate, by request, and read by its title
only, which is an amendment of sections
1896 and 1881 OF the revised laws and is to