The Opelousas courier., 1888-01-14
A Proposed State Railroad
Commission.


Commission.
We have received, with the compliments Of
the author-B r. Forman, Esq, OF New Or
ieans-a printed circular in which is proposed |
some very important legislation for the gov
ernment and control of railroads and steam |
ooats as common carriers in the State of Lou |
lslana. First is an act to prohibit and punish |
| the giving of railroad passes or free transpor-
tatlon on railroads to legislators and all pub |
| lie omeers. The first section makes any en- |
| ploye, agent or servant of any railroad COM
pany giving free pass or free transportation
| guilty of bribery, and provides that he shall
be fined not less than $500 nor more than
$5OOO0, and imprisoned not less than ten days,
nor more than thee months. Section makes
any member of the legislature, or any mem
Der OF any city council or police juror or any
State, municipal or parish officer, or any other
public officer who shall accept from any rail
road company, or agent or servent OF such
company, pass for free transportation over
any railroad, or shall accept transportation
for any less than the usual or customary
charge, guilty of accepting a bribe,
and on conviction shall be fined not less than
$50 nor more than $1,000, and imprisoned not
less than twenty days, nor more than six
months.
Sections 3 and provide for the mode of
prosecution and conviction of parties, the tax
ing of testimony and disposition of fines, &C.,
and make any railroad company offering free
cred in q civil action by the District Attorney
Then an act entitled an Act to regulate com.
mon carriers, including railroads and water
craft, aud as incident thereto to provide rem
edies and to create commission of transpor
tation, and prescribe its rights, powers and
duties. In the fifty-one sections comprised in
this act will be found the establishment of
ajust and fair tariff OF charges; rebates pro-
hibited and charges equal to all; preferences
prohibited equal and reasonable facilities to
ntl tltopo Int thn bnrsu D,,lc ct,npt
hauls; pooling prohibited: requiring sched-
ules of-rates to be published and posted ten
days notice to be given of advance in
rates no other than schedule rates to be col
ected schedules to be filed with the commits
sion and notice of changes regulating contin-
nous transportation; damages recoverable:
equal classification equalization of rates;
notice of accidents, aud information of delays,
&c.
Sec. 81 to See. 81 inclusive provide for the
appointment of three Commissioners and a
Secretary, their duties, powers and jurisdie-
tion defined, and who act as a Board OF Arbi-
tration and Control in matters of transporta-
! tion and rates. The act is comprehensive in
its restrictions upon extortlonate charges and
unjust discrimination, without, however, fix
ing any schedule of passenger or freight rates.
This circular will be placed in the hands Of
every legislator at the next session of the
Legislature and we hope that some definite
: action will be taken i'll passing q law that will
!, curb the greed of railroads in particular, and
common carriers in general, and while not
ahri1g;no onv iust riSbts of cornorations and
mOnopolies will at the same time protect the
people from extortionate rates upon travel
and freiohts Will our LEGISLATORS meet these
Questions like men of backbone, or will they
be eaptivated by "free passes, ~ fine dinners"
and champaign suppers," ans leave the mo
; nopoles still free to grind aud Cypress the
peopie2
Every wear Hoods Household Calendar
Q takes a step forward, as it's ingenious publish
ers strike some new thought in style and ar
rangement For 1888 Hoods Calendar has
I the :scut-out'' head Of young girl surround
!. ed hv q blue hood, making very beautiful
and attractive picture. The coloring is won
: derfully we'll done, and the pad, also printed
in colors with a special design for every
/. month"; helps make up a very artistic Calen-
:. dar Three millions of these Calendars arc
/ issued and all our readers should have one.
u Ask your druggist, or send six cents in stamps
J to c.. L. Hood s. Co., Lowell, Mass.
l. -~~--
: Tho following from the Bosser Banner, is
, to the poipt, and we have concluded to adopt
: it as d r guide during this political campaign
n ssIf apv one wants to boom his man for Office
}, Parish or District-through these columns,
2 he can do it as an advertisements, at the rate
o - r; ~. lev ana ia nrdcr thar We may have 4
i e f;r show tao We have fyed the rate Of at
i cards and Communications. pufiins candi
II ,la aS at ton cents line We believe i'll liy-
;ns and let i've
g = -----~.-.------
rha I.on;siana State Apricultura. socet,
:i,1,,,J n1 NJ senood animal meetinse ii Sbreye
e WI, WI, nv ~, tbe fourth "wednesday Of Jannar,
pd viii continue three days. It is earness sy
,es dns;.ad to have a Iarge attendance aud rep
s. esa,'fat;yes from ali uaricultural organiza
,;a,s are ;nyited to be uresent. Therefore,
y +; tha words Of the address, sll planter
d ,ssociations local clubs, agricultural and f;i
r assoc ations, Grangers, Alliances and Uniou
aro eaFnestlv requested to send at least en-
$; daiegafe for every ten members enrolled
Wbere no agricultural organization exists il
G nar;sh tia presidcnt OF the police jury is re
anesle,l ID accredi6 two farmers as delegate
inrn,n tIe p.risl, to this meeting large all,
Mt ranresentatiye attendance is desired in orde
10 fully discuss the present living ISSUES in
: yolved in successful agriculture. The sui
y iects for discussion will lie those which nearl
concern every section of tile State, and speak
e- crs of known ability have been selected {
Great them. a full order of the exercises wi
q q be made public soon as the committee 0
w w programme can make its report. 1t is desi
y able thai these delegates be appointed
early in January as pussiblr, and their name
: be sent TO Secretary E. L. Woodside, at bato
= II Rouge, la .
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