The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-15

such court at such time as may have
Deen prescribed by the court. 20 answer
Tor the offence with which such person
Us charged. prima facia evidence that such
rerognizance was duly taken according
To law, with the conditions prescribed by
law.
By Mr.. Cooke. Of Norfolk. TO amend
ana rc-cnact am act 20 incorporate the
Merchants and Mechanics Savings Bank
OF the city ~ Norfolk and for other pur-
poses. passed on the l1th day or March.
ISL.
BY Mr.. Saunders. Of Franklin. 10 amend
and re-enact section 400 OF the code IN
relation 10 the rlgh' OF appeal 90 court
from The judgment of police Justices and
justices OF the peace. iu criminal cases.
BY same: To provide for the settlement
or criminal cases ont or court.
By same. To amend and re-enact Sec
lions lii' and 1876 Of the Code iu relation
To the annual meetings and annual re-
ports of the County School Board.
Mr. Anderson. Of this city. introduced
bin requiring railroads 20 receive and
transport one bicycle for every passenger
ass baggage.
REGULATING COMMON CARRIERS.
Mr.. Saunders introduced and asked 90
DE referred 10 the Committee of Courts Of
Justice three bills relating 10 the regul1-
ton or railway telegraph. telephone and
express companies. These three bills
are companion measures.
The first bin provides that the commits
SION Ni 'Nlf0 snail constitute N lNdlN vi
appraisers for the property or the rail-
way corporations. The bill defines in de-
tail. what reports verified ON oath shall
be madG by the officers OF thc COM
panies. 10 the commission. 10 enable them
TO discharge their duties effectively
This information relates 10 the number
Of miles OF railroad lines IN the State.
the depot buildings. grounds, rolling
stock etc.
The amount Of the capital stock and
its market value or actual value. II there
is no market value ls required 10 De
exhibited ln order 10 enable the commits
sioncrs 10 cffectually carry out the pow
ors conferred upon them. They are IN
vested with the power 10 examine wit
ncsses and call for books and papers in
possession OF the companies. and 10 pun
ish them for failure 10 furnish the i'm
formation and papers needed. After al
the information is put In the commits
-ion-rs are required 10 proceed 10 the
discharge of their duty Of assessing the
value Of the railroad property IN the state
The second bill makes the railroad COM
missioner a. court Of record, inferior 10
the Supreme Court 20 be known as th'
BOARD OF Railroad Commissioners. with
AN the powers and jurisdiction Of a court
Of general Jurisdiction as 30 all subjects
embraced in the act creating the Railroad
Commission.
BIZ number three proceeds 10 define IN
QgfafI the powers OF the tpuilI~Tlhlif IT,"
latlng 10 n. supervision OF the railway,
steamboat. express ana other companies.
The railroads are forbidden 10 charge
more than reasonable rate Of toll. or
compensation. for The transportation OF
either passengers. or freight.
The commission Is expressly COINED
with the powers 10 make reasonable ana
lust rates Of freights and passenger tar
ifs for the State OF Virginia ana cause
the same to be furnished by any railroad
company ,,,
and I'M addition the companies are tor-
hidden 90 mislcad. or deceive the pubic
in any manner as 20 the real ties On. ga
for freight or passengers. Jhe iairoau
conuanies are required 20 submit thrlt
contracfs and AGREEMENTS between them
selves as 10 rates OF freight ana passeu-
por tariffs 20 the Board OF 'ommis-
sloners for inspection ana corr clloh ln
order that IL may be seen Mheihrr any
of these contracts. are IN VOCATION OF tIe
rules and regulations OF the commission
and of the provision of the general laws
Heavy penalties are imposed upon the
companies for violation OF any pFoNiSio"
VI The terms companies" and railroad
companies" are expressly defined by the
act. ...,.,.,, 90 ,,,o
All the common carriers. subject TO the
provisions Of the act are requ,I'f ~
aford all reasonable proper ana eqnh'
facilities for the interchange OF tiaihc p'-
tween the respective lin, -. -
The commission il also empowered 20
nro,ide regulations for the express ieIe-
graph and telephone companies anp ~
49, inst and reasonable rates ana
nan nhs,'soe for Inc transmission OF mes
S eases or the transportation OF packages
Ample provision is made Tor me inspec-
lion OF the rates Of the different com
panies and for annual IeP9ttS Iy III o,
Vi An other laws on the subject OF the
-ee,,ilation Of the companies are express
Is repealed.