The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-19
FEATURES OF THE RAILROAD
COMMISSION BILL.
4 COMPREHENSIVE SYNOPSIS OF THE
MEASURE.
N. &. IntelligenceT.)

~. I. lnlcIIlotHGcL'j
The principal features Of the
Railroad Commission bill as it va
reported Saturday By the special
committee are as follows: Three
commissioners, salary $500; CLERK
$1,000; commissioners to have no
interest in any railWay'or steamboat
company; Governor to have right
to Suspend for violation Of this;
commissioners to be elected DJ
legislature; commission has power
to regulate rates Of freight and fare;
or cause the same to be furnished;
commission carriers are forbidden
to give any undae advantage OF
preference to any person; commits
sion in making rates shall il it sees
fit consider as far as practicable
actual value of employed capital OF
CORPORATION earnings and cost OF
oneratiOn: if companies charge more
than fair and reasonable rates they
shall be deemed guilty Of extortl0n
bnt there shall be no appeal to the
SupeIior Court: commission carriers
are not 10 receive as great compen-
sati0D for q short as for q long haul;
nothing in this act shall interfere
with freights coming under the
provisions of the Interstate Gem
merce Law; railway company has
right to appeal to Judge Of Superior
Court in term time and thence to
Supreme Court, from any dotoTmi-
nation Of commission liking or
refusing to change the rate Of freight
or fare; commission rs as speedily
as possible to make the rates Of
charges for each company; the
commission to have authority to
make special rates for the purpose
Of developing internal improves
ments; railways have power to
make excursion rates, either party
has the right to appeal to counts,
and courts may advance such cases
on docbets as to take precedence
over all other cases: no judge to
grant lnjrnction8 against rates
unless companies give justified
undertaking in amounts sufficient
to indemnity shippers in case com
mission is sustained /@25,000 fer
roads Of less than 80 miles, $4,000
for those over so miles; commission
in discharge Of duties 10 have right
to investigate books and papers OF
all roads, as well as affairs OF the
same to see if the rules aud reguIa.
tons Of commission are carried ont
and also to ascertain profits Of road
with view to asc0gtaiuing reason
ableness of rates; all contracts and
agreements between railway com
panies doing business in the State
as to freight and passenger rates
are on demand to be submitted tt
commission for inspection an(
correction; violation Of regulations
Of commission are punishabley fine:
Of $50 to $1,000; to be fixed b.
judges Of court in which actions are
tried, actions to liz in any county
most convenient to all parties con
cerned; cumulative damages allowed
for Injuries to persons in addition
to damages allowed by the common
law; commission to make annua
reports to Governor; commission
has power to issue subpnnas fOl
any witnesses; WiIful failure By
roads to furnish reports is punish.
able by fine Of from 500 to s., 600
and ten days delay raises presump
ton Of Wilfulness; commission il
required to promptly notify roads
Of any violation OF law: commission
shall have power 20 require sucI
Improvements n roads and stations
as shall promote security, conven
fence and accommodation OF
public; failure to comply with sucL
requirement IS punishable by fine
Of 500 to $4,000: stations cannot be
abandoned Or changed or new ones
located without consent OF commits
sion; railways 30 be required before
practicable to provide separate and
equal accommodations for blacks
aud whites on trains and at passen
ger stations; all roads shall afford
equal facilities for interchange OF
traffic and shall make as close
connection as Is practicable for the
convenience of the public; charges
fer trackage are regulated by the
commission to protect live stock by
having value of same adjusted and
forcing payment by companies
therefor; reduced rates to ministers,
inmates OF soldiers home and char.