Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-21
The Law to Protect Trsveiicrs-'sp
Practical working Expisiaed in
nnfnfl

The act TO prevent fraud upon travel
lers, recently introduced in the Legisla-
ture, is actually intended 10 accomplish
what its title implies and in other States
where the law is operative hss had
most beneficial effect in protecting un-
suspecting or ignorant travellers against
the wiles Of crafty aud INSCRIPTIONS
ticket-brokers. The object OF the Law
is TO contine the sale OF tickets for rail-
road or steamboat transportation 10 the
authorized agents of the companies by
declaring such sales unlawful II made
by any other person. This provision
protects the public from imposition Ivy
the purchase OF tickets that have ex-
pired, or that have been altered, forged,
stolen, or are spurious; and IN pre-
venting sale OF such worthless tickets
saves the traveller from many annoy.
ances. and the added expense which he
must undergo in the attempt to use thenl.
II gives the public responsible man TO
deal With, and affords the assurance that
what he sells is absolutely What II pur-
ports 10 be. it the same time Il
abolishes the scllper, aud, therefore, re-
moves .he possibility Of lost or stolen
tickets being sold to unsuspccting
travellers. The iniraction of this pro-
vision is misdemeanor. and Is punlsha-
BILE by fine not exceeding 300 aud im-
prisonment not exceeding one yesr. or
both, In the discretion Of the jury.
Having placed the authority 10 sell in
the hands of the regularly-appOinted
agents, the act next requires the conl-
panies issuing the tickets 10 redeem the
whole or any part or parts OF the tickets
40 sold which the purchaser has not tor
any reason used. The redemption value
is fixed at the difference between tho
price paid for the whole ticket ard tho
cost of a ticket between the points for
which the portion OF said ticket WAS
actually used. That is TO say that an
excursion ticket which has been used
only in one direction shall be redeemed
on the presentation Of the unused por-
tiOn at the difference between the fare
10 the given point IN one direction and
the amount actually paid tor the ticket.
For example The traveller buys an oX-
curSion ticket from Richmond to New
Orleans and uses It tO Danyillc only.
The issuing company will return him tho
entire amount paid out less the local fare
10 Danyille. TIE company settles With
the purchaser on basis which allows
the railroad the actual amount due for
the service rendered whilo the balance
goes back into the pocket Of the traveller.
SO il ticket were purchased 10 New
York or any other point, ana not used,
the company with which the ticket orie1-
mated will redeem the ticket at lts
face value. This provision protects
che traveller from imposition, m
that it defines how his unused ticket is tO
be disposed Of and fixes It's value. II IS
as fair an arrangement as could bc ma' q.
The rights Of all concerned are fully
protected. 1t bestOws upon the Trans
portation lines the exclusive privilege Of
selling their own tickets, aud requires
these same lines TO redeem the whole or
any part OF them which may be PEE
sentcd for redemption. The purcha' or
Of ticket is. therefore, assured That ms
| right TO travel Is genuine. and that II
anything should intervene 10 prevent itg
exercise full reimbursement will be made
by the proper parties.
The bill is fmmed in the interest Of
public morality, aud IFS passage would
/ throw the safeguards Of the law around
that class Of the travelling public who.
either through ignorance or susceph-
/ bilty 10 the arts OF designing men, ara
constantly exposed to uickery, dccep-
/ ton. and fraud. Jv.rIcE.
Richmoad, Va, February 81, lsss.