The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-17
THE RATLROAD COMMIssIOy.
Meeting OF Those Interested I'm the ELI
Some OF the Provisions.

meeting OF fhose Interested IN the blli'
Some OF the Provisions.
The members Of tho Farmers Alliance. who
are interested in the passage Of bill creating
a railroad commission, held another meeting
| last evening in tho Office Of the Southern
Planter, on north Ninth street.
Alr. X. &. Kent. member of the House of
delegates from Wythe. was in the chair. aud
the following gentlemen were present: DR..
John II. Crahord. p. X. Wray, d. ). Tyler. {.
}: Campbell. Charles +. Fahrney. }. III. Hoge,
III. i. Harris. Nj. Corbin, j. J. Sllyey, MAJOR
Nenable. j. Thomas Goode. Philip f. Brown,
Hazael j. Williams. = \. Spencer, Charles i.
Nolan and j. L. Jackson.
In opening tho meeting Mr. Kent stated
that the bill had been completed, inc0rpOrat-
ing all the various amendments recommended
by the Chamber of Commerce and by others
Mr.. Kent then submitted the bill, which Is q
very lengthy one, and read the same 10 the
meeting. The bill is entitled An act TO es-
tablish a commission and provide for the
supervision OF railroads and other common
carriers in the State of Virginia. The bill
contains The following provisions III its modi-
fed form:
SOME PROVISIONS.
The board OF railroad commissioners shall
consist OF three members. nominated by the
Governor. and 70 be elected by the General
shall be commissioned by the Governor. If
any OF the persons nominated by him have
not been elected the Governor shall at once
make other nominations. The first three
members of the commission shall be elected
for terms OF two. four and six years respec-
lively. and thereafter each one IS to be elected
for term of six years.
The commissioners shall receive a salary OF
$4,000 each. and shall have the right u APP
point a clerk at a salary of ; 200 u year. the
salaries to be paid quarterly out of the State
Treasury. For Office rent, stationary and
other expenses $1,000 shall be allowed for the
first year. and ( 800 per annum thereafter.
The commissioners shall have IA general
supervision of the railroads and other com
mon carriers in this State. They shall
arrange % schedule OF lust and reasonable
charges for the transportation Of passengers,
freight or clrs for each road and company.
The schedule is TO be revised from time TO
time by the commissioners. and copies OF
them shall be posted by all the companies at
their several stations. The commissioners
shall state reasonable time when changes
have 10 90 into effect. II a railroad company
deems the schedule rates unreasonable
application can be made in writing
20 the commission specifying the reasons for
grievances Ii the commission refuses TO give
redress the agrieyed company shall apply 10
the chancery court. where such chose shall
have precedence of all other chooses on the
docket Appeals can be made from the
chancery court 20 the circuit, and finally 70
the supreme court. # necessary. The usual
provisions IN these court proceedings shall
prevail with one exception, that tho State
shall not he compelled 10 give bond for costs.
r The Attorney-General shall represent the
commission IN court. for which service he
shall receive fee Of $50. Witnesses shall be
paid = per day and mileage at the rate of
8 cents per mile, all this money TO be paid out
Of the State Treasury.
A VIOLATION.
The commissioners shall have the power 20
examine agents and employees of railroad
companies in order TO arrive at a basis for
reasonable rates. Alikcontracts between dif-
ferent companies shall be submitted to the
commission for revision and inspection.
The commissioners shall make a annual re-
port to the Governor and special reports If
ecessarv They shall have power 20 sub
lrna witnesses 10 appear before them, and
persons appearing before them who do not
conduct themselve es properly shalt be found
guilty Of contempt.
The annual expenses Of the commission.
such as salaries Office rent. expenses for sta
tionary &c shall be apportioned among the
several railroad companies and other common
carriers in this State according 10 their gross
income YheappOrtionment Is to be reported
to the Auditor of Public Accounts, who before
July lst IN each year shall make the assess
ments and notify the respective companies of
the result
The officers Of the commission shall have
free transportation over all the roads in the
State.
After considerable discussion on the subject
the bill was approved by the conference on
motion of Colonel Williams. and Major Hunt
was requested TO introduce the bill in the
House. while Senator Tyler will father the bill
in the Senate. Both bills will be introduced
on Friday