Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-01-15
Miseellaneuus 8radins.
TO INVESTIGATE RAILROADS.
Resolution Introduced In the House
For the Purpose.

| Following Is the text or an impor-
tant resolution introduced in the house
last Thursday by Representative Frost
Of Charleston:
Whereas, it is necessary for the po-
litical and Industrial advancement of
this state that reliable and proper
methods of transportation should be
maintained for persons and goods;
And, whereas, the post roads owned
and maintained by the state for the
benefit of it's citizens have been sup
planted by the railroads, owned and
maintained by private corporations
for the benefit of their share holders,
which said railroad corporations in
consideration of certain extraordinary
powers granted by the state have un-
dertaken the duties, responsibilities
and privileges of common carriers for
the citizens of this state,
And, whereas, the said railroad cor
porations have accepted and used the
privileges conferred upon them as
common carriers but are generally re-
garded as having failed to perform
the corresponding duties owed by
them to the citizens of this stat: in
that It is believed that:
l. They have failed to maintain
proper and sufficient roadbeds and
tracks.
9. They have failed to provide To-
90 70 ho, nj
the trains which the commercial de-
velopment of the state demands for
the transportation of the ever increas-
ing number of goods and persons.
3. They have failed to furnish
clean and safe passenger coaches.
4. They have failed to provide cars
for the speedy transportation of the
products of the state.
5. They have refused to provide
sufficient cars for the transportation
Of goods and have thereby hampered
the commercial and industrial devel-
opment of the state.
6. The schedules which they un-
dertake to operate, and which even II
maintained are insufficient for the
proper transportation of passengers,
are seldom kept and thereby trouble
and pecuniary loss are caused to the
persons whom they have agreed to
transport.
I. The insufficiency Of their plant,
and incompetency Of their manage
ment has caused the death Of many
Of the citizens Of this state.
s. They have maintained their con-
troll Of the railroads in this state for
the purpose of sitting competition and
thereby permitting them to increase
their earnings by charging high rates,
and by hauling the goods along these
lines which yield to them the best rev.
enue without regard to the benefits or
convenience of the shippers.
sNow, be It resolved, by the house
of representatives, the senate concur
ring:
/. That a joint committee consist
ing of two senators and three men,
bers of the house Of representatives,
be appointed by the presiding officers
of the respective houses to investigate
the affairs and management Of the
railroads OF this state.
2. That the said committee shall
examine carefully the laws now per-
tanning to railroads, and shall suggest
such new laws as they may deem
proper for the purpose Of bringing
about better and safer means Of COM
munication between the different sec
tions Of this state and shall report
their suggestions at the next session
of the general assembly.
3. That the said committee shall
inspect the rolling stock and tracks
and shall investigate the earnings Of
the railroads as we'll as the rates
charged by them, and shall have pow
er to investigate all other matters
which shall seem pertinent to the said
committee for the purpose Of carrying
into effect the objects of its appoint
ment.
4. That the committee Is hereby
authorized and empowered to elect a
marshal. who, upon being sworn.
shall be and become a peace officer Of
the state and be invested with all
the powers of sheriffs and cOnstables
In the service of any and all process
issued by the committee aforesaid, and
with the power to arrest and impris0n
upon the order of the said committee
any and all persons who shall fail or
refuse to obey any legal order of the
said committee. or who shall be guilty
of any disorderly conduct In the pres
ence Of the committee. during any
session thereof. or who shall be guilty
of any contempt of the said commit
tee.
s. That the said committee be and
are hereby authorized and empower
ed to call before them by summons or
notice. in such form as the committee
may adopt. and to be served by the
marshal of said committee, or such
other officer of the state as may be by
TIE IcqullVh, SuSh pSi'"'i
or persons as the committee deems
proper, and to require such person or
persons to answer, upon oath. any
and all questions that the committee
may deem relevant and may PROFOUND
TO him or them: and upon failure or
refusal of such person or persons to
obey such summons or notice, or to
answer such questions such person or
persons shall be deemed to be in con-
tempt of the authority of said COM
mittee. and may be imprisoned upon
the order of said committee in the
common Jail to be there held until he
or they comply with the order OF the
said committee: Provided that no tes-
tmony given by said witness shall be
used against them i'm criminal pros
ecution.
6. That the said committee be, and
the same is hereby authorized to send
for and to require the production Of