The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-04-23
TUE COMMISSION Law
IF0AL TEXT OF THE REV. MEASURE
TO REGULATE RAILROADS.

|
I by the Governor, with Power 20 NIX
Rates and Adjust Differences, at
Salaries of 81, 900 Per Annum.
Following is the full text of the Rail
| way Commission bill as it passed the leg
islature and will go to the governor tor
his signature
II. S. S. H. B. Nos. 1, 3, So. A bill TO
| be entitled an act to establish a rail-
road commission for the state OF Iexas,
whereby discrimination and eXtortloh
In railroad charges may be prevented,
and reasonable freight and passenger
tariffs may be established; to prescribe
and authorize the making OF rules and
regulations to govern the commission
and the railroads and afford railway
companies and other parties adequate
remedies; to prescribe penalties Tor
the violation of this act, and to PROVIDE
means and rules for its enforcement.
Section l. Be it enacted by the legis-
lature of the state of Texas: That rail
road commission is hereby created, to be
composed of three persons to be appointed
by the governor, as follows: If the legls-
lature be then in session the governor
shall, upon the taking effect of this act,
or as soon thereafter as practicable, by
and with the advice and consent OF the
senate, if the legislature then be in ses-
sion, appoint said commission; but If the
legislature be not in session, the COVER
nor shall make such appointment, and
! each commissioner so appointed shall
hold his Office until the second Monday
after the Inauguration of the next sue
ceeding governor and until his successor
is appointed and qualified. Each sue
ceeding governor shall, on the second
Monday after his Inauguration, or as
soon thereafter as practicable, appoint
said commissioners, who shall each hold
his office until the second Monday after
the next succeeding governor and until
the inauguration of his successor Is ap-
pointed and qualified.
(a) The persons so appointed shall be
resident citizens of this state, qualified
voters under the constitution and laws,
and not less than twenty-five years OF
age No person shall be appointed as
such commissioner who is directly or in
directly interested in any railroad in
this state or ont of it. or i'll any stock,
bond, mortgage, security, or i'll the earn
ings of any such road; and if such COM
missioner shall voluntarily become so
interested, his office shall become va
cant: and if any railroad commissioner
shall become so interested otherwise
than voluntarily, he shall within a reas-
enable time divest himself of such inter-
est, failing to do this, his office shall be-
come vacant.
(b) No commissioner hereunder shall
hold any office under the government Of
the United States or of this state or of
any other state government; and shall not
while such commissioner, engage in any
occupation or business inconsistent with
his duties as such commissioner.
(c) The governor shall fill all vacan-
cies in the Office of commissioner by APP
pointment, and the person so appointed
shall fill out the unexpired term of his
| predecessor.
(6 Before entering upon the duties
| of his office, each of said commissioners
shall take and subscribe to the oath of
office prescribed in the constitution, and
shall in addition thereto swear that he is
not directly or indirectly interested in
any railroad, nor in the bonds, stock,
mortgages, securities, contracts or earn
ings of any railroad, and that he will, to
the best of his ability, faithfully and
justly execute and enforce the provisions
of this act and all laws of this state con-
corning railroads, which oath shall be
| filed with the secretary of state.
(e) Each of said commissioners shall
receive an annual salary of $4,000, pay
able in the same manner that salaries of
other state officers are paid.
Sec. 2. The commissioners appointed
shall meet at Austin and organize and
elect one of their number chairman of
said commission. A majority of said COM
missioners shall constitute quorum to
transact business. Said commission may
appoint a secretary at salary of not
more than $4,000 per annum, and may
appoint not more than two clerks at a
salary of not more than $500 per annum
each, and such other persons, as experts,
as may be necessary to perform any duty
that may be required of them by this act.
The secretary shall keep full and correct
minutes of all the transactions and pro-
ceedings of said commission, and per-
form such duties as may be required by
the commission. The commission shall
have power to make all needful rules for
their government and for their proceed
ings. They shall be known collectively
as railroad commission of Texas" and
shall have a seal, a star of five points,
with the words, railroad commission of
Texas" engraved thereon. They shall
be furnished with an Office in the capitol
at Austin, and with necessary furniture,
stationery, supplies and all necessary ex-
penses, to be paid for ON the order of the
governor.
The commissioners, secretary and
clerks shall be entitled to receive from
the state their actual necessary travelling
expenses. which shall include only the
cost of transportation, while travelling
on the business of the commission, to be