The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-01
- y.rrROAD BILL.

| mn H.. ~ Delegates yesterday, by
| -. - .o,enty.eieht to nineteen, adopted u
| -, hul which embodies every feature
A.. xort bill which ought to have
h..one a law, and substantially al vi 'no
| ,,ox;s;ons for which The TIMES has oeen
.ortendinc. The only difference. when the
.,hI;c will know. is that the bill VIII DC
| too,vn "a the Mason instead of tho Kent OH.
Tho first section contains the celeora'eu
LONG and short haul" clause. forbiddihg
,,,eater compensation for shorter than
LONGER distance, under substantially the same
circumstances. over tho same line ana III
the same direction. The second ioi-
bids any special rates. rebates. nfa"-
backs o. unjust determinations. Inc 'hiu
forbids undue or unreasonable preferences
The fourth demands oil reasonable. proper
and equal facilities for. or interchange oi
traffic between connecting lines. Inc hi'h
requires schedules of rates to be printed anu
made public. with ten days notice OF an "u-
vance in rates. three days notice OF feuuc
ton Of rates and no variation from puoiisheu
rates. The sixth forbids false billing ciass'-
fcation and weighing. and makes IL "ppl'ca
bic as well to the shipper as TO the railroau.
The seventh requires duplicate bi!is Of
ladinr 10 be issued. and also thatthe company
upon receipt of freight at any station shaii
notify the consignee that the freight IS reaoy
for delivery, and shall give reasonable tiihe
for the removal of the same, making que
allowance for tho class OF freight
and for bad weather and mondays.
The eighth requires expense bills to be
furnished. The ninth relates to the estao-
lishment and maintenance OF telegraph OIL
fees at depots The tenth requires the opening
of ticket Offices in due time and the eleventh
and twelfth give rules for the government OF
the Commissioner in making and publishing
reports and laws. The thirteenth embodies a
penalty Of not less than 800 or more than
$500 for each violation of these laws. The
fourteenth lays down the method OF pro-
ceeding in enforcing the remedy ID
which the Commissioned. upon compliant
and being satisfied after investigation
that there is Just ground therefor, and ialiing
to obtain correction by the railroad, shall, III
the name of the Commonwealth. proceed TO
have the case of complaint adjusted by the
circuit court, or the Judge. If the court Is IN
vacation, OF the county on city where the
cause of complaint arises. and the Judge,
if his decision Is in favor OF the Com
moawealth, shall prevent the common
carriers or persons complained of from
further violation of the law. The III
teenth relates to the service OF notice IN such
cases. and the sixteenth requires the Com
monwealth's attorney TO represent the State
in ali such proceedings. The seventeenth
gives the right of appeal to either side VINO
may be aggrieved by judgment or order OF
the circuit court The eighteenth defines who
shall be considered common carriers. and the
nineteenth relates TO free or reduced rates.
excursion or Communication tickets. Inc
twentieth repeats certain parts Of the Code OF
Virginia which have been more completely
covered by these provisions.
This. it is to be hoped. has ended the great
railroad legislation controversy. Nothing
has ever occurred upon the Capitol hill which
better illustrates the fairness and business Of
the representatives of the Virginia people
than their treatment Of this difficult subject.
They were approached with arguments and
they were moved by reason. Prejudice was
overcome by justice and the people have
been thoroughly protected and yet the rail
roads have no cause to complain.
Throughout the whole discussion Mr.. Kent
has commanded the respect and admiration
of all who knew his fairness. his clearness
and his courage.