The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-25

part of his argument be said that wa were TO
go to the Worlds Fair 10 show tho fan Of
Norfolk Well. there Is no provision In This
bill for an aquarium that / can see and
don't understand how their fish can be ex-
hibited any more than we OF Culpeper can
show our tadpoles, or the people Of Rock
bridge their ground hogs. or the people Of
the Dismal Swamp their skunks.
Il don't believe that these expenses will do
any good said the speaker in bis concluding
remarks who in the world ever heard OF a
capitalist going 10 a worlds fair for the pur-
pose Of making purchases BY this appro-
?rlatiOn We would not increase the sale of
coal one ton in the State of Virginia"
Mr.. Gibson then moved 10 amend the bill
by making the Appropriation - 900 instead
OF $4,000. Before bis motion was put. how
ever. a special order came up on the calendar
and further discussion on the Worlds Fair
bill was postponed
The bill providing for the distribution OF
the direct tax fund. which came up on the
calendar as special order. was once more post
poned. il Will DO discussed to-day.
The discussion OF the Kent Railroad BILL
which came up as a continuing special order
was again resumed Mr. Ryan took the floor
and spoke nj some length against the mea-
sure. With reference 10 free passes he said
that the member from GOOchland Dir. james,
stated that If the bill were not 10 pass his peo-
pie would believe that this Legislature had
been corrupted. Mr. Ryan regretted that
Mr.. James had made this statement
He did not believe that there was
a member present who would think, If Mr..
James opposed the bill that lie did go be-
cause he was corrupted by passes MIR. Ryan
added that Mr.. kert had made the statement
that free tickets were given the legislators for
the purpose of influencing their votes. The
speaker explained that the custom originated
IN the days when the State owned a three
fourths' interest in all the lines. In those
days the legislators were entitled 10 passes
and & g courtesy in the course Of time became
a usage.
Mr. Ryan in concluding. summed up his
argument as follows
First The Farmers Alliance did not refuse
to put candidate in the field by reason OF
any pledges made by the Democratic party.
but by reason OF the good sense OF cOnserya-
tive members who refused 10 be led by dem
agogues and asprants for political glory.
Second he Roads Committee OF last
session while considering the Railroad bill
sought results while the friends Of this
measure were seeking agitation.
Third. The Interstate Commerce law would
prohibit these commissioners from arranging
schedules.
Fourth. The charges Of excessive rates have
not been sustained in tho Danvlle case
Crews against the Richmond and Danyille
railroad the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion having decided that the charges were not
excessive Mr.. Ryan SAID that the rates had
been reduced 30 per cent. since THIS declsiou
Fifth. That If. as was claimed, the Georgia
commits ion bad reduced passenger rates from
five 10 three cents and freight rates IN proper
ton there was no necessity for commission
in Virginia. as the passenger rates III this
State are less than three cents per mile. and
the freight rates are 20 per cent lower than
those of Georgia.
In settling the State debt. Mr.. Ryan said.
we have told you that we can meet the inter
est for ten years at per cent. and at the
same prOportionate increase of taxable values
for the next ten years as of the last ten. We
will then be able 10 meet the interest al per
cent. but if as the rail- DAD men fear the pas
sage of this bill should prevent them from Sc
curing money to build railroads and further
develop Nirginias undeveloped resources and
values should not be increased. then we would
not be able 20 meet the interest on the state
debt and again Nirginias fair name would be
sullied. He appealed 10 members 10 consider
the question well before voting.
Mr.. Gibson opposed the bill IN lengthy
speech. He characterized the measure as
bad one and didn't see any good IN It, In
his opinion II was introduced at an improper
time. as the railroads of the state had just
emerged from a great financial crisis. There
was no necessity for il. because the rates,
especially for freight. have been greatly re-
AsUBsTITUTE RAILROAD BILL.
Mr.. j. f. Mason, of Stafford, introduced
q substitute for the Kent Railroad bill en-
titled, An act to further regulate and con-
troll common carriers doing business in this
State. and further defining the duties of the
Railroad Commissioner relating thereto The
principal provisions of the bill, which IS
lengthy document. are as follows II pro,
hibits greater compensation TO the railroad
companies for a shorter than longer dis
tnnce. and seeks TO make local rates conform
to through rates il also prohibits special
rates. rebates, drawbacks and unjust dis
ordinations and undue or unreason-
able preferences. All common carriers
shall afford all reasonable. proper and
on traffic between their respective
lines and for receiving. forwarding and delly-
erng of passengers ard property 10 and from
their several lines and those connecting there
with and shall not discriminate IN their rates
and charges between such connecting lines.
Every common carrier shall print and keep
open 10 pubic inspection schedules showing
the rates and fares and charges for the trans
portaton Of passengers and property ~ estab-
hshed. No advance in rates shall be made
except after ten'days' public notice. while re-
auctions in rates. fares and charges shall only
be made after three days previous public
notice No variations from the published
ules shall be filed with the Railroad Commits
sioner False billing and false classification
or weighing OF property IS pro-
hibited. and transgressiOns Of this
provision are made misdemeanor,
punishable with a fine of from 500 10 1000 Tor
each Oflense All common carriers shall issue
duplicate bills of lading and shall furnish ex-
pense bills. Every railroad company shal!
establish and maintain along It's line AZ depots
or stations not more than ten miles apart te.e
graphic Offices 20 be operated for the prOtec-
ton OF the tram service by competent per-
sons In special instances however. the COM
missioner may grant the distance between two
stations TO be greater than ten. but not more
than fifteen miles Ii shall be the duty OF
every railroad company 10 have the ticket
Offices opened and at the terminus OF the
roads have the passenger cars open Tor the
admission of passengers and baggage
cars for the reception OF baggage at
least thirty minutes before the hour
of departure of every passenger train.
The Railroad Commissioner shall on Noyem-
Der 1st of each year make report OF his an
nual transactions and transmit 1t t. the Gov
ornor TO be submitted to the General Assem-
Div. He shall also publish annually on May
Isl. a compilation OF the statute laws govern
inc common carriers and shall furnish sutfl-
cient copies TO the different companies. All
violations If the several provisions OF the
bill shall be punished with fines from elOO
T. 500 If violations of the law have been re-
ported TO the commissioner, he shall give
reasonable notice TO the company 70 be heard
on the complaint. The Commonwealth at
torney is required to represent the Common
wealth The complainant Is not put
1. Il