The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-08

rates, and loss or damage to freight
The bill is intended 10 protect shippers
who, under the present law, would
have 10 sue upon each separate over
charge i'll a separate action. some OF
our largest shippers have dozens Of
such small claims and cannot afford
30 sue upon each one, as the amount
is often too small to justify the ex-
pense and trouble of suit. The rail-
roads Knowing this, refuse TO pay. SO
that the shipper is virtually without
4 remedy. There are shippers who
sosc hundreds of dollars in this way
every wear
If this bill becomes q law. the ship
per can combine these small claims
and bring one suit 70 recover the
amount of the combined claims.
The bill is as follows.
To amend Chapter AL. OF
the Public Laws of 1908. relating to
overchargc of freight rates and loss
Or damage To freight. The bill
amends this chapter by striking ont
section two OF the same. and inserting
III lieu thereof. the following:
THAT the shipper or other person
entitled to sue may combine into one
action and sue upon any number of
claims for oVercharfse Of freight rates,
lossof freight or damage to fTeigh
against any railroad or other trans
portAtion company. and its connecting
lines, and if such combined claims do
not exceed two hundred dollars a
justice of the peace shall have iuris-
fiction Of the same. but if they arc in
excess OF two hundred dollars, the
superior court shall have jurisdiction
Ana such actions may combine any
number of different shipments, and
loss or damage OF freight ny he same
party against the same railroad or
transportation company and its con
Meeting liups. Provided il shall be
optional with the claimant whether
such causes of action shall be combm
Ell into one: Provided, further, such
actions may be brought il the county
where plaintiff resides, or any county
through which said railroad or trans
portatjon company or its connecting
lines run.
The bill provides further. that if any
railroad or transportation company
shall make any oVercharge of freight
oy reason of false or incorrect weight
negligently. carelessy. or purposely
made by any Of its agents servants or
employees. It shall forfeit to the party
agreed the sum Of one hundred dol
lars for every such offenS.. 10 be re-
covered in an action before a justice
of the peace, which court shall have
jurisdiction Thereof.
Mr.. Empie, by request introduced
a bill revising the plotage laws. The
bill! is in some respects similar TO those
regularly Introduced at almost every
session Of the General Assembly.
SENATE-THIRITE DAY.
The Senate was called TO order at
IL o'clock by Iieutenant-tiovtr
Winston, ana prayer was made by Rev.
w. c. Tyree, of tie First Baptist
Church.
y message from the Governor was
received. including the report of the
Insurance Commissioners. and recon-
mending better protection for iu.stitu-
tons for the Blind ard Insane.
a second message from the Govern
or W5S received, recommending the
establishment OF a Bureau of Immigra-
ton. and referring to the Jamestown
Exposition, the divorce laws, the ap-
poi1tment Of "A purchasing agent for
Inc State institutions, the vngrant laws,
the jury system and the judges saa-
rieS.
Petitions.
Announcements of Letitions were
made by.
Mason OF Northampton: Asking
l1dL diti-Ju INV NC IioL itptdlSu. y.
and O..
New Bills.
New Bills were introduced by:
Coke: 70 rereal chapter S14 Of The
Public Laws of 1909, relative to she
stock law of Mitchell county. c., G..
and T..
Mason, of CASTOR: TO incorporate
the Bank OF Dallas. Banks and Cur
rency.
Sinclair: TO amend chapter IA of
the Laws of 1908, relating TO the over
charge of freight rates. railroads.
Stubbs: Relative to certain churches
in Martin and Pitt counties. p. and G..
Empie: To revise the navigation and
pilotage laws of Cape Fear River. T..
aud c.
Empic: To punish malicious taking
waste out of journal boxes. Judiciary.
Empic To incorporate n certain
railway company. Railroads.
Everett: TO inCoroDate the Pee Dee
Valley Railway Company. Railroads.
Eycrettc: To amend chapter 55G of
The Laws Of 1898 relating to the stock
law IL Richmond and Scotland cCun-
ties c., c. and T.
Everett: To incorporate the town
of Lawrence. in Scotland county {.
G. and 7.
Eoylcs: To amend chapter 81 of the
Laws of 1895 relating TO warehouse
charges. judiciary.
Boylcs: To amend chapter 81. Public
Laws OF 1896. relating to warehouse
charges. That chapter 81. Public
ftf ,.i1