The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-12
10 Regulate the Speed of
/. Trains.
CONTINUED from First Page. J

tlons complained of are alleged to exist
OF some member of the said Commission
snail take evidence, both for petitioners
and against, at such city, town or local
lty, and report to the full Commission
before any decision is made by the Com
mission
The debate on the bill was lively all
the Senators who approved Of it saying
Ihat as the Corporation Commission could
say where trains should stop it ought
TO nave the right to regulate the rate
Oh speed.I The Corporation Commission
was commended as wise and conserva-
tive body, we'll acquainted with railroads
and 1T was urged by the supporters of
the measure that this power of hearing
and hxilg rates of speed complained of
as being unreasonable should be placed
in it's hands.
Senator Travis was against the amend
ments excepting any county. He said it
was general bill and there should be
no exceptions, that the Corporation Com
mission should pass on the petitions.
Senator Burton thought it an infringe
ment on the rights of towns to regulate
by their own ordinances and opposed it,
though he said there had been on com
plant against Reidsville Senator Lamb
said that fayetteville had q special un-
derstanding that as the railroads went
through its streets it could regulate the
speed.
Senator Woodland favored the bill and
thought that it was a matter properly
coming before the Corporation Commits
sion, the proper body to look after this
matter. If Fayetteville had an agree
nent Fayetteville would not be harmed
He. wanted the law for the whole State
Ii it was a bad law it ought not to
pass, if God law it ought to be for all
The Corporation Commission was the
body that should pass on this matter
and as they were responsible to the peo-
PIE if they acted unjustly others could
he elected.
Senator Durham had withdrawn Gas
ton from the list of counties to be ex-
empt from the law. He said this was
because of Senator Mann's amendment
which would make the case be heard in
the town against which complaint was
made and allow the conditions to be
shown.
Senator Blow said that he thought the
railroads should first try and arrange
with the town and then if an ordinance
49,
modified an appeal could be taken to the
Corporation Commission. Senator Norris
said that the bill was a fair one and
that by it's provisions an appeal to the
Corporation Commission could be had
for relief from what were sometimes or
dinances passed as retaliatory measures
by small towns because fast trains would
not stop there. He thought that it was
a matter that could we'll be left to the
knowledge and wisdom of the Corpora
ton Commission to settle.
Senator Beasley said that the matter
was getting in an awkward position. The
people applied for relief from what they
thought unjust measures of the railroads
to the Corporation Commission in order
to get what was just and that it seemed
lust to have the railroads apply to the
CORPORATION Commission for relief from
the measures passed by the people which
they considered harsh. Senator Well
born questioned Senator Beasley about
his views on the Fuller bill but Senator
Peasley said that was a question for
another day.
Senator Brown stated that he was for
the bill and that it was matter that
should properly be heard by the Cor
poration Commission. Senator Mann
thought the bill a good one, though he
lived in a county without any railroads.
In my section said he, "the Corora-
ton Commission is regarded as most
roaring force, the eople not believing in
keeping up an institution which has no
powers" He thought that it right to
have the power given it by the bill. Re-
ferring to the Fuller bill he said that
this important matter would come up to-
day and that as it had passed the House
by a handsome majority, it seemed that
it would also pass the Senate. He be
lieved that what was sauce for the goose
should be sauce for the gander, and that
this bill for relief from the people by
the railroad should pass.
Senator Mann's amendment was adopt
ed On Senator Buttons to exclude
Rockingham and on Senator Lambs to
exclude Cumberland, the vote was 19
for, 16 against and these passed, as did
Senator Aaron's excluding Wayne. Sen
ator Wellborne. as usual, did not vote
and was excused by the Senate
A short debate on appointing a COM