Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-02-24
FRIDAY MORNING. FEB. "a. 1s|
THE RAILROAD BILL.

Augusta, Messrs. Echols and Crawford
voted for it-aud is now in the Senate. 1t
is very long document and would make
three columns of the VINDICAToR; so. as
it is not yet perfected, and will, it is said,
find fewer friends and more amendments
in the Senate, we simply condense it's pro-
visions as passed by the House.
Section 1. Provides that all charges by
railroads shall be reasonable and just, :"
and every unjust and unreasonable
charger is declared to be unlawful"
Sec 2. Prohibits railroads giving re-
bates or drawbacks, or in any way re-
ceiylng less compensation from one per-
son than from another for the same work.
Sec 8. Prohibits giving undue prefer
ence or advantage to any person, firm, cor
poration or locality over another. and de-
clares that giving free pass' to any
person is an undue preference.
Sec. 4. Prohibits receiving more COM
pensation for carrying freight or passen-
gers for shorter than for longer distance
over the sane line in the same direction
the shorter distance being included within
the longer distance-the hauls being made
under Substantially similar circumstan-
ces and conditions"
Sec. 5. Prohibits different roads pooling
their freight and dividing the aggregate
earnings.
Section 6-Requires the schedules
of rates and fares to be printed in large
type and kept at every depot and station
for the inspection of the public, and a
copy to be sent the Railroad Commission
ers. A failure to do this to be made the
subject of mandamus from any cir
cult court, and failure of the officers of
the road 10 comply with its requirements
to be punishable as for a contempt. And
the Railroad Commissioners may get out
a writ of Injunction to stop the carrying
of freight and passengers until the COM
pany makes It's schedules of rates and
fares public.
Section 7-Prohibils any agreements by
roads to break the continuous carriage OF
freight to its destination, or compel it
to break bulk, Or delay.
Section Snakes the railroads liable for
damages to any person who may suffer
from their violation of this act, and also
for reasonable counsel or attorneys
fee to De fixed by the court in every case
of recovery" the fee to be taxed as part
of the costs.
Section CHARITIES damaged by tie
violation of this act may seek redress from
the roads either by applying to the Rail-
road Commission or by entering suit in
the circuit court, but not by both methods.
If the suit is brought in court, the officers
of the road can be compelled to testify,
but their evidence cannot be used against
themselves on the trial of any criminal
proceeding.
Section 10-Prescribes that any direc-
tor, receiver, officer, trustee, agent or en-
ployee of road who shall violate this law
or omit to carry out its provisions, shall
be deemed guilty of misdemeanor, land on
conviction thereof in any county or cor
poration court of the State be fned not
more than $1,000.
Sec. IL. Defines the qualifications of the
Railroad Commissioners. They must not
own any railroad stock or bonds and must
have nothing to do with railroad contracts.
Sec. IL. Defnes the duties of the Rail-
road Commissioners. They are to exer-
else general supervision over the rail-
roads, see if they are safe; that they com
ply with the laws; and they are to hear COM
plants and put this law in force against
companies that do not obey it.
Sec. Is. Gives the Railroad Commits
sioners the authority to hear complaints
about lack of accommodations on the
rolling stock, and the like.
Sec. H. Provides that where any person
complains that railroad does not carry
out this law, he may gather up the facts
and present them to the Commission. The
Commission shall thereupon notify the
company and if the company amends its
conduct and makes reparation to the in.
jured party that is an end of it; but. if not.
the Commission shall proceed to an official
investigation of it.
Sec. Is, 16 and II. Provide that where
the investigation is made the railroad
found to be in fault, and it neglects or re-
fuses to repair its fault the Commission
Tor the party inJured) shall apply in sum-
mary way by petition to the Circuit Court
of the circuit in which the railroad has
its principal office, and the said court
shall hear and determine the matter as a
court of equity, but without the formal
pleadings and proceedings applicable to
ordinary suits in equity. In such a pro-
ceeding brought by the Commission, the
report of the Commission shall be pranaa
facie evidence. II the company is In the
wrong, the court shall issue mandamus
or restraining order land for each day such
wrong is not corrected. each person per-
petuating the wrong shall be fined not
more than $500 for each day the wrong is
continued. The party complaining to be
paid out of the money thus received
Where $500 in amount is involved, either
party may appeal from the Circuit Court
to the Court of Appeals. For the purposes
Of this act excepting its penal provis-
ions) the Circuit Courts of the State shall
be deemed always to be in session.
Sec. IS, 10 and 20 provide for the keeping
of the records of the Com mission, for the
investigation of railroad accidents, and
for the transportation of convicts and in
sane at certain rate for the State.
Sec. 81, %. % and "a make provisions for
routine business of the Commissioners
and impose fine of $500 on railroads that
Go not make annual reports to the Com
misSsoners.
Sec. 25 prescribes the pay of the Commits
sioners to be So, 600 for the President; So 500
each for his two associates, 81 500 for the
clerk and ST. 900 year for the expenses of