Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-12-31
THE KANSAS RAILROAD BILL.

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Fusion Caucus at Topeka Endorses the
lleasurs-0ov. Stanley WIN Appoint
the First Court Under the Law.
Topeka, Kan, Dec. 2o.-Yesterday
afternoon and again last night the
fusion members of the legislature
caucused on the railroad bill. As q
result II was agreed to introduce the
bill In both the house and the senate
and pass It A few changes were made
In the bill, but they were mere
changes In verbiage and do not ma
terially affect the general scheme OF
the law as outlined.
In the caucus the only test was on
the proposition whether Gov Leedy
should appoint the Hrst railroad court
10 serve until 1901, or leave the ap-
pointment to his successor, Mr.. Stan.
ley. The motion to have Gov Leedy
appoint them was defeated, IS TO SO.
This Is in accordance with the idea
that the extra session should not de-
prive the incoming state administra-
ton OF any patronage rightfully Its
own.
Railroad bill In Outline.
Following are the principal provi-
sions OF the railroad bill:
Section creates railroad court to be known
rs the court OF visitation. consisting Of three
judges
Section fixes the terms OF once ut four
years, ths judges TO be elected a. the general
election In 1000.
Section provides for clerk and stenogra-
pher to the court, to hold during the pleasure
Of the judges
Section 4 provides for the appointment OF
judges by the governor with the consent OF the
senate. to serve until the next general election
Section fixes the salary Of the Judges ut g.
SO per year each. s2, 800 for the solicitor. 20
for the clerk and 1850 for the stenographer
Section provides that the court Of visitation
may sit ut the capitol In Topeka or anywhere
else In the state II may desire
Section prescribes the power and jurlsdic-
ton OF the court, classifying them under u
subdivisions The power il to decree freight
and passenger rates, revise demurragc charges,
hear complaints. order improvements. adjust
disputes md In general tbs scope Is ample TO
control every feature OF raiiroau operation
Section 8 provides full common law and equi-
~ powers for tho issuing OF processes produc-
tion OF records. attendance OF witnesses. mp
pointmont Of receivers punishment for con-
tempt and attendance Of Jury.
Section 0 provides for the courts govern
ment md the regulation Of the practices before
It
Section 10 prcscribes the duties OF sherlffs
throughout the various counties In the serving
Of processes
Section II gives the court power to appoint
marshal. also bailiff
Section u defines the pleadings which shall
be q complaint In the name Of the state and
the answer thereto
Section 70 provides for the manner Of pre-
pairing an information or complaint
Section u provides for citation upon the In
formation and the manner OF service
Section Is allows the complainant TO employ
counsel TO assist the state.
Section 10 allows any party interested In the
complaint to employ counsel to assist the
state
Section II allows any party who may he ag-
grieved, although not q party to the suit, TO
show that decree or judgment is being vio-
lated
Section IS provides where connecting lines
exist within tho state that the judgment snail
cover all the connecting lines
Section - stricken out
Section " prcscrioes tnat no rates speciai
contracts or agreement now In existence shall
be received rs proof OF the reasonableness OF
freight charges
Section ~ provides ior the rehuition Oh JUG
ments ana the form OF sucn Judgments
section :. PROVIDES ior tue manner VI fen-
derlng ludgmehts OF ueiaui-