The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1894-06-02
4 R4HRO4D COMMISSIONS
The Houma Courier.

A bill of vital importance to the
people of Louisiana is one recently
introduced in the Legislature by
Representative Mouton of Lafay-
cite, to create railroad commits
sion, and to provide for the regula
ton of rates on railroads. Sub
stantially this bill provides, that,
from the State at large, the Governor
shall appoint three commissioners
at an annual salary of $4,000 or
$4,000. The appointment of these
commissioners will be confirmed by
the Senate and they will be required
to furnish bonds of $40, 900 each
for the faithful performance of their
duty
Mr.. Mouton asserts that the OBJ
iect of the bill will not be to retard
the growth of the railroad interests
of the State but to allow a fair and
equitable return to the railroads on
the capital invested, while at the
same time it will have restraining
effect on these large and very often
rapacious corporations.
In many parts of the State and
particularly in Southern Louisiana,
the people are entirely at the mercy
Of grinding railroad corporations.
They are forced to abide by any
schedule of rates that the railroads
may see fit to impose on them.
Lately the railroad corporations
throughout this State have shown a
disposition to make reductions IN
freight rates. This move, is, COM
nendable one and one that has
been appreciated by the people of
every portion of the State whose
interests are materially benefited by
the reductions. But this fact
should not exert an influence in re-
straining the passage of Mr.. Mou-
tons bill. Under the present laws
of this State the railroads have a
perfect right to cancel any of the
present rates, and charge as much
for transportation as they may see
fit. 1t is this power that the bill
aims to limit.
Two years ago, during the ses-
sion of the Legislature bill similar
to the one now before that body
was introduced in the House of
Representatives and referred to the
commission on railroads. This
commission was composed of thir-
teen members, five in favor and
seven against the passage of the
measure and consequently the bill
was pigeon-hoIed. About this
time, however, Mr.. Dupont, one
of our representatives from this
parish, offered the following BON
she'll resolution which created con-
sternation for little while in rail-
road circles and threatened to blow
up the little game that was unnais-
takably at the bottonl of the pigeon
hole scheme:
ssWHEREAs, House bill No, lo6, pro.
, vided for the creation of railroad commits
| sion is a measure of great Importance to- the
State, and one in which the white people
are greatly interested; and
ssWHEREAS, the present session Of the
General Assembly is drawing, to- close
| and the calendar is becoming crowded &c
such an extent that early consideration
| of this bill is rendered necessary in order tc
pass it at this session;
s.Be it therefore resolved, That the com
mittee on railroads be and it is hereby di
rected: to report said House bill No. Io6 tc
! the -FBousee on or before Thursday, 73rd
| inisant''
These resolutions finally passed
by a. vote of As to "a. This
! broughts the committee on rail.
roadside time and they of course
handed in an unfavorabte report.
Subsequently a vote for indefinite
postponement was taken in the
House. the result Being ST years;
I'll nays and IS members. absent.
{. THE COURIER: earnestly hope:
THAT Mr.. Mouton's bill will no,
meet with a. similar fate. Texas
has had railroad commission fol
a. number. of years. and. it has: giver