The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-08
RAIL AND cRossr1E

4
On some of the Pennsylvania lines west
OF Pittsburgh the rule in the treatment of
old cars IS TO destroy all requiring repairs 10
the extent Of 800 or more each.
A committee of MilledgeviIIe citizens
will hold conference with the Central rail-
road authorities to-day in reference to the
leasing of the Central's branch in con-
nection with the Middle Georgia and At
lantic railway.
The Ohio legislature has enacted a law
prohibiting railroad companies from requir-
| ing employees TO join insurance as
sociations. making companies responsible
for damages for injuries sustained by en-
pioyes through the negligence Of other en-
ployes. and declaring defects in cars and
machinery prima facie evidence of gross
negligence.
Speaking of tie survey of the North and
South Line railroad yesterday, q Guytonian
said that the corps of engiGeers surveyed
the line through the center of the town of
Guyton, and claimed that they wanted no
concessions or subscriptions from the town
other than the right Of way, but few DAYS
later an old gentleman came along and
pulled the stakes up, solemniy informing
the citizens that the line would be- two
miles distant from Guyton, and that if the
town had any propositions to make
to get the road to take Guyton
on the line the propositions would
be given respectful consideration, or
words to that effect. Guyionians think
there is very thin disguise In thu effort to
bulldoze the town into giving the road depot
facilities, etc., and they are not inclined to
rend their linen to have their town a sta
ton on road that proposes to dodge
around in the sea brush to keep out of
great seaport city like Savannah, aud they
do not propose to be uneasy about the
maneuvering and skirmishing of the Jack
sonville Construction and Improvement
Company a mile or two out of Guyton.
The town is willing to encourage all rail-
roads and grant them rights of way, but
not under dureSs. Its base of supplies is
Savannah, and it will try and stand the
affection of being mile or 50 off the line off
a railroad on paper.
The sleeping car license tax has been de-
clared unconstitutional. The work of the
legislative committee IN preparing bill to
collect $500 per year more out of the rail-
roads of Georgia amounts to nothing
The decision is the outcome of the iniunc-
ton suit OF the Central and Southwestern
roads praying that Controller General
Wright and the sheriff of Bib county be
enjoined from collecting the license tax on
railroads handling sleeping cars fixed by
the last legislature by a special statute. The
controller general, when the tax was
bO1 paul lhSU URINARY, issued an
execution against the roads for the license
and also for the penalties fo- the non-pay-
ment of the tax. The sheriff, upon receipt
of the executions, levied upon the union
depot and the Southweste:n's freight DEPOT
The CentraPs attorney at once petitioned
for an injunction, and temporary injunc-
ton was granted by Judge Miller of the
Bib superior court Arguments were heard
in the case by Judge Miller about a week
9pO and Iu1ra Millor rasaruao hic
decision. Saturday the decision was
given out. 1t enjoins the controll
general and the sheriff of Bib county from
collec ing the tax on the ground that the
statute is illegal and unconstitutional As
there are number of suits in all parts Of
the state of a similar character and involv-
ing the same points, Judge Miller's decision
will be of considerable interest. 1t is the
frs decisio so ia among the numerous
injunction suits brought by the railroads
agai st the state. The order granting the / :
juection is explicit. as is the case with all of
Judge Miller's orders. 1t gives the grounds in
brief. 1t is as follows: "The South western
Railroad Company and the Central Rail-
road and Banking Company Of Georgia VS..
w. A. Wright, controller general, G. 5.
Westcott, sheriff Of Bib. Petition, ininnc-
ton, etc. In Bibb superior court. Upon
hearing the foregoing petition and applica-
ton for Injunction, after due notice
to defendant and the argline t by
counsel for the parties, it is ordered
that the injunction be granted as
prayed for on the grounds stated in said
petition, to wit: /. That the statute of
Nov. IL, 1889, on which said license taxes
as to each of said companies for the
year 1899 was impo ed is retroactive in its
operation in this respect, and therefore re-
pugnant to the constitution OF the state of
Georgia, and void, 2. Because the re-
quirement of said statute of license to haul
the sleeping cars for which these license
taxes and penalties were imposed and as
sessed, stated in plaintiffs petition, and not
denied by defendant, is in violation of the
constitution of the United States, regula-
ting interstate commerce between the states.
Ordered further, that this order be entered
on the minutes Of this COURT
The Wrightsvlle and Tennills railroad
has reduced the passenger rates from 4
cents to 3 cents per mile. This reduction
went into effect on April l.