Hutchinson gazette., 1899-01-05

TOPEKA, Dec, 9s-The following are
the principal provisions OF the railroad
bill as prepared by tho Populist law
yers;
Section creates railroad court TO
be known as the court Of visitation,
consisting Of thrcc judges
Section fixes the term OF Office at
four years, the judges TO bo elected at
the general election In 1900.
Section 0 provides for clerk and
stenographer TO the court, to hold DUR
ing the pleasure Of the judges.
Section provides for the appoint
ment OF judges by tho governor, with
the consent of the senate, to serve un-
Ill the next general election.
Section s fixes the salary OF the
judges at $500 per year each, 81, 800
for the solicitor, $1,000 for tho clerk
and $3.50 for the stenographer.
Section provides that tho court OF
visitation may =. vt tho capitol In To-
peka or anywhere else In the state IL
may desire.
Section z prescribes the power and
jurisdiction Of the court, classifying
them under twelve subdivisions. The
power is to decree freight and passen-
ger rates, revise demurraCe charges,
hear complaints, order improvements,
adjust disputes and In general the
scope is ample to control every feature
Of railroad operation.
Section provides full common law
and equity powers for the issuance of
processes, production OF records, at
tendance Of witnesses, appointment OF
receivers and attendance OF Jury,
Section provides for the courts
government and the regulation Of tho
practices before 1t.
Section 10 prescribes the duties Of
sherihs throughout the various coun-
ties in tho serving Of processes
Section 1S provides where connect
ing lines exist within the state that
the Judgment shall cover all the con-
Meeting lines.
Section 20 prescribes that no rates,
special contracts or agreements now in
existence shall be received as proof OF
the reasonableness of freight charges.
Appeal Is allowed to the supreme
court OF the state.
revision Is made in succeeding Sec
tions for the costs and their payment
by the losing side The state will pay
costs in case it loses, unless It shown,
that tho complaint was simply malic-
ious, when the person complaining
must pay.
Section 80 prohibits the judges OF
the court Of visitation from accepting
free transportation.
Section 81 provides penalties In the
event the railroads violate the provis-
ions Of this act. 1t makes 1t misde-
meanor punishable by fine Of 81 900
and one year in jail, for any railroad
to discriminatein charges or classiaca-
tions, with an additional hne Of 81, 900
for every day the company shall vio-,
late the provisions of this act,
Section 80 provides for the conduct
Of railroads in cases Of strikes 1t
gives the railroad court power to in
quire into the disagreement II the
employees are found to be in the wrong
they can be enjoined from further dis
turbance. II the company is found to
be In the wrong the court can order
the company to adjust tho strike, or,
the company failing to comply, to
place the road in tho hands of a re-
ceiver, who shall operate it as long as
may be necessary to insure tranquility
Of commerce.
Section 40 provides that the act shall
take effect and be in force from and
after its publication in tho official
state paper, not later than March IS,