New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-09
RESTRICTING RAILROADS.
THREE BILLS PASSED IN THE ASSEMBLY.

RESTRAINT ON OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES By
FIREs-A QUESTION OF GRADE.
rixoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TnrBuSE4
ALBANY, April S.-Three Of the four bills
prepared by the Railroad Commissioners to remedy
abuses Of railroad management passed BY the As
sembly to-day The chief Of these bills compcls the
corpoIstors OF railroads fret obtain the consent
OF the Railroad Commissioners that they may undertake
their enterprises The Commissioners to give
their consent only when they think that
d" the public convenience and necessity require tho
construction OF the railroad proposed" the corporatos
feel aggreved by decision OF the Railroad Commits
sioners against them they may appeal to the Supreme
Court the judges Of which court authorized to re-
the decision OF tho Commissioners The Railroad
Commissioners Of the opinion that tho duplication
OF existing lines is In many misfortune to tho
State They point the construction Of the Wost Shore
Railroad alongside the New York Central from Albany
to Buffalo proof of the losses that befan the commu-
nifty when men permitted unchecked to organize and
build railroads The bill passed by vote OF 13 to IL
The Assembly also passed a bill establishing the re-
sponsbty Of railroad corporations for damages by fires
communicated from their locomotive engines; and
third bill throwing safeguards around the transportation
Of explosives.
Then followed long debate the bill to compel rail-.
road companies hereafter constructed or extended In
this State to put their tracks either above or below tho
grade OF the streets turnpkes or plank roads
that they may cross. John ]. Plat. OF Poughkeep'
sic, attacked the bill as drawn IN the interest,"
OF present railroads and against those that may
be constructed General Bacheler said that the Rail-
road Commissioners knew that II they should array
against the bill all the present railroads OF the State
they could not pass it. No bill could be passed when
would compel existing roads to put their tracks below
grade. But such requirement could be made OF new
enterprises. He considered that the bill was emnentiy
Mr. PIatt offered an amendment striking out
that feature Of the bill which Compelled
roads to build their tracks either ABOVE
below grade He aroused the fears OF the country
members that the bill II it became law would prevent
construction OF more railroads. The amendment
adopted by vote OF AZ to SO When the bill came
up for a third reading with Mr. Platts amendment
added several speeches made against the measure
Dy its former friends c. D. Baker said that the Dill had
been emasculste Mr.. Cole. the chairman OF the
Railroad Committee, said: cit is clear to every
here that the railroad corporations are hard
TO fight No amendment has been offered
to-day upon this bill except In the interest OF monop-
oes" The bill received hftyfour affirmative votes ana
forty-two negative votesi not receiving the requisite
siIty-hve Affirmative votea Mr.. Platts amendment
killed II. Speaker Hustled declared the Bill lost, Dnt
upon motion OF Mr. Cole the the Dill was re-
considered and 1t was laid upon the table.