The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1891-04-08

and the company fail within
thirty days after notice has been
served on Its principal officer resident III
the State to make recOmpense, shall incur
a penalty for each offence Of not less
than $50 nor more than 5000 to be
fixed by the judge of the court in which
such action shall be tried.
Section IL provides that where in vio-
lation of the rules injury be done to any
person, such person shall have the right
to recover in the county where the in
jury was done or the plaintiff resides,
but action must be begun within twelve
months after the alleged injury. In the
event of wilful violation of tho rules the
raj road shall ais, be liable to exem plary
damages.
Section II provides that in cases aris-
ing under this act the rules of evidence
shall be the same as in civil actions eX-
cept as otherwise proved in this act.
Sec. 13 defines companies to mean for
the purposes of this act all common car
riers. etreet railways excepted.
Sec 15 requires all railroad companies
on demand to furnish duplicate freight
rec lpis to shippers. A penalty for fail
ure TO be fixed and collected as in sec.
10 Is provided.
Sec Is makes it the duty of the COM
mis- Noners to make annual report of the
tran. actions of their Office to the Gov
erno1, and to recommend from time to
time such legislation as they deem ad-
visable under the provisions of this act,
1000 copies of which reports the Gov
ernOr shall have printed for distribution.
Sec. 16 gives the commissioners the
power when making examinations for OBJ
tanning information under this act to
for ho Of nit
nesses, who are to be allowed 50, 90 per
day and five cents mileage to and from
the nearest place of meeting by the
nearest practicable route In case Of
refusal to obey process or any order, the
commissioners shall have the power to
punish for contempt.
Sec. II imposes penalty Of not les
than 800 or more than 5000 on every
officer, agent or employee of a company
refusing TO furnish any report required
by the com missionerS for the purposes
of this act.
Sec. 1S repeals all laws or parts of
laws allowing railroads to charge greater
rates than those fixed by the com lniSsIou
ers.
Section 10 provides that when the
commissioners believe any railroad Is
violating its charter, or the provisions of
any law of the State not provid in
this act, they shall give such corporation
notice, and if the violation be continued,
they shall present the fact to the Attor-
ney General who shall take such action
as he may deem expedient.
Section 20 empowers the commission
ers when they deem repairs Decessary on
railroad or additions to or change OF
stations or station houses, for the secu
rity, convenience and accommodation ci
the public, to give the company written
notice, stating the repairs, changes, &c.
considered proper, and in the event the
c npanies fail to comply they shall he
liable to penalty of not less than $50
or N s>than So, 900 in the discretion of
of the commissioners.
Sec. 21 prohibits companies from
abandoning any passenger station or
freight depot which has been Establish
ed over year, without the consent of
majority Of the commissions rs.
Sec. % allows companies to re 10
| cate stations or depots with the consent
| of the commissioners in writing.
See 80 gives power to the commits
sioners, when they deem it expedient or
practicable, to require railroad compa-
| les to provide separate and equal &C
| commcdations for white and colored
| people on passenger trains and in wait
| ing rooms; failure to comply with which
| 'oys the company liable to the SAM pen
atty as presented in Section 20.
| Sec "a, requires all common carriers
to afford reasonable and equal fati titles
for interchange of traffic between their
respective lines, and shall not discrimi-
nate in their rates and charges against
such connecting line, and connecting
| lines shall be required to make as close
connection as practicable for the conven-
ience of the travelling public. Violations
of this section are punishable by fine
of not less than $500 or more than $5, 900
for each offence.
Sec 25 provides that nothing in this
act shall prevent railroads from carrying
free, or at reduced rates, freight for the
United State State or municipal govern
ments, expositions, charitable purposes,
&c, or giving reduced passenger rates
to ministers, disabled soldiers, sailors or
to orphans, or Carrying their own ofi
GERS. agents aud employees free. Moth
ing in this act contained shall in any
way abridge or alter the remedies now
existing at common law, or by statute
but these provisions are in addition.
! Sec. 26 empowers the commissioners
to make just and reasonable rates fol the
transportation of packages by express,
by companies doing business in the State.
Sec. 81 provides for the manner OF
issuing and serving subpnnas by the
com mis- sioners, and provides that pen
atty imposed on any witness who refuses
to testify, who shall be deemed guilty OF
misdemeanor, and on conviction fined
not less than $50 or more than 81 900.
Sec % provides that all the expenses
| of the commi 5sOuerS in the performance
of their duty shall be paid by the State
but prescribes that the amount annually
shall not exceed $4,000.
Sec. 90 makes the fiscal year in which
reports shall be made end June both, a:
fixed by law by the Inter State Com
mission.
Sec 80 authorizes the commissioners
to investigate accidents resulting in los
of life, or accidents where life is not lost
if they deem it to require investigation
Sec. 81 provides that where any com
pany and a person have controvers!
and they agree in writing to leave it tt
the commissioners, the decision of tn.
commissioners shall be final.
, Sec. 80 repeals all laws and clauses o
laws inconsistent with the provisions o
this act.
Sec 33 fixes the time of the act goinl
7 into effect at April'1, 1891.
Ratified 5.h day'of March, A. D. 1891
8 Epoch.
b Tho +ropc;t;oa from, 1opor t1;noorip