Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-01-22

the board that the styIe OF architeetsi.s arS
ployed IN a reform prison cannot well be
adapted to the purpose OF an asylum, and
that the environment generally 5 not fav-
oraole: TIE board further suggests that,
when the reformatory is once completed
ana ready Tor occupancy, the labor may be
employed IN producing salt, as coal is now
the opinion that the institution, as a re-
formatory, can thus be made self-support-
vested in the salt industry.
The subject Of the proposed change is not
free from difficulty and is left with you for
such action as the best interests OF the state
seem TO require.
RAILROADS AND RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
The subject OF state regulation OF rail-
never ending public sohcitude- In respect
system mas been demon sfrated 10 he mosf
satisfactory, and has received the sanction
OF nearly an the sIaIeS OF Ine ohion. rms
toner's, has come to be regarded as neces-
sary part or government. Such board
predecessors have spoken Of the work OF
this board in terms OF unqualified common
dalton, and it is believed that a careful re-
view of their labors cannot be otherwise
than satisfactory.
this board there have been built in this
state 900 m les OF railroad, and the duties
ingly Increased. In the exercise of its
power The board has repeatedly required
portation charges, and an examination OF
the figures for the period covered by its ex-
Ing and profitable. A comparison or the
tonnage OF 1888 with that OF 1889 emphasizes
the above statement, IN the former year
the tonnage q all the roads operating in
Kansas, according to the reports on ME in
the railroad commissioners ONCE, was IL,
sSI. S22-7f. For the year 1889 the tonnage OF
the roads In this state was "a ,454, 1857, or
nearly double the tonnage OF the former
year.
The earning from the tonnage of 1888, ac-
according to the same authority, were S45,
135, 5S1 for 1889 they were 500, $40, 095 only
about 25 per cent greater than the receipts
While it is doubtless true that the tend
ency or transportation charges has been
steadily downward, and that reductions in
rates are result OF competition ana q con-
Stantly increasing strife for business, as
Well as response to the popular demand
the existence OF the commission has con-
Tibuted in large degree to this result.
The board has, by repeated orders caused
tbe abatement of determinations which
had been long maintained upon the freight
tariffs, and which, so long as they existed,
prevented the establishment, upon q Sc
cure basis, OF commercial ana manufactur-
state. These discriminating tariffs were
menace to capital; their Abatement is an
the creation OF more diversified Industries.
Suggested Leglslation.-With a view to
promoting the efficiency OF the board, in
vite your attention to the expedIency of con
ferring upon it, by appropriate legislation,
the power to require joint freight tarins to
be made over two or more railroads which
connect with each other, so that continuous
shipments may be made over such connect
ing roads from one point in Kansas to an
other point in the same state, such Joint
tariffs to prescribe rates not to exceed
beyond reasonable transfer charges, a sim
gle and continuous rate for the same dis
lance. By this means the business
sailing or manufacturing, existing in any
interior town In the state, may be placed
upon as favorable footing, so far as trans
portatiOn charges are concerned, as like
and reaching the same points or destina-
tiod In TINS, by a single rate; ,.,
fi0n nenAlGiGS nrnWfna0
for neglect to comply with orders made by
the board, provision should be made
It's orders, and the legal erect of SUCH
orders should be defined. For examples
The findings and decisions OF the board re.
speeding the reasonableness of any existing
rates, which are the subject of complaint,
sonableness of the rates they prescribe in
any proceeding brought to enforce them.
make findings and decisions in numerous
other matters pertaining to the operation
enlargement or increase of terminal and
depot facilities, the increase or betterment
OF train service, repairs Of track and the
supply Of joint or connecting tracks, etc.
There is no law defining what shall be the
legal status OF such orders. 1t is recon-
mended that a speedy remedy for the en-
forcement of these orders should be pro-
neglect to comply with them by any rail.
road company and that in proceedings
decisions OF the board should be made prima
facie evidence of the duty and obligation
OF the company in respect TO the matter de-
In addition to these recommendations for
further Legislation in respect to the powers
OF the board Il deem IL expeql ent to call at
tention to another provision, W.i1c1l, IL 511s-
acted, would increase its useful functions.
In the transportation OF goods and mer-
chandise over railroads., claims frequently
arise against carriers for damages occa-
Stoned by loss or injury to the goods en-
route. Where the goods are carried over
two or more roads, each road being inde-
pendently responsible only for such dam
line, it is frequently difficult for the shipper
amount and value of the greater part Of
this class of claims is not sufficient to Justify
expensive litigation for their recovery. II
would be a source of aid and rel ief to ship
pers II the board OF railroad commissioners
were authorized to entertain complaints OF
this character. to investigate the same and
make written findings thereon, and TO ad.
wise the parties of the nature of the same,
and to notify the railroad company found
to be IN fault, OF the PREPARATION which they
consider it Just to make to the shfpper
Further, that unless such claims shall be
settled in accordance with such findings
the same shall be held, in legal proceedings
brought to recover such claims, prima facle
evidence or the liability OF the company
found to be in fault.
competent to invest final Jurisdiction in the
board as to these and many other matters
party is entitled to due process OF law, un-
less its character were changed so as
to constitute it q court subject to the
technical rules or law which govern those
tribunals.
1CS enecGiVeueSS largely cOuSlSIS III Du0
fact that it may pursue Investigations wi tn
out Formally IN any part OF the state
either upon its own motion or upon COM
plant; this it could not do If 1t were
court.
Believing that these several recommends
honss If carried out by appropriate leg1sla-
ton, would materially increase the useful
ness OF the board and promote the interests
or the people, they are submitted for your
consideration
APPORTIOSMEEr.
The constitution requires an apportion-
ment OF the state for the purpose OF repre-
sentation in the legislature once in i've
years, based upon the census of the pre-
ceding year. The last apportionment nav
Ing been made at the special session or 1885,
it becomes your duty to reapportton the
state at the present session.
Eighty eight counties only are represented.
Eighteen counties, organized since the last
apportionment in 1856, have ever since that