Year: 1876

SENATOR BOOTHS BILL CREATING SYSTEM 6IM-


liar To THAT EXISTING IN MASSACHUSETTS


POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE C0it iIssIoNERs


fYROH THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF he TRIBuNEl


ALBANY, Feb. Ex-senator Booth introduced
this morning bill to erect IN this State the system Of
railroad government existing in Massachusetts, IL
provides for board of three Railroad Commissioners
who shall appointed by the Governor by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, those appointed
In the year 1876 to hold office respectively for
two three and four years the tenure OF each to be de-
termned by lot. One Commissioner shall be appointed
annually after the year 1877 The Governor may make
appointments TO al vacancies for the remainder OF the
term and may without the advice and consent OF the
Senate, but only upon charges preferred remove any
Commissioners The Commissioners authorized to en-
ploy clerk and accountant. None OF the Commis-
sOners the clerk accountant shall be an employe or
a stockhOder any railroad corporation. The COmmls-
soners whose office Ia to be in Albany are to have the
general supervision OF all railroads and railways, are
70 keep themselves informed as TO their condition
and management with reference to the security and ac
oommodatlon Of the public and the compliance OF the
corporations with provisions of their charters and the
laws The Board is to have power TO examine
the books and srs Of any railroad, to compel the pro-
ducton of books and copies thereof subpoena witnesses
and compel their attendance though the subpoena had
issued from court Of record The Commissioners snail
prescribe, practicable, system upon which
the books and accounts of corporations operating rail
roads and street railroads shall be kept
and shall examine each company every year
Any company refusing TO submit 10 ex-
animation neglecting to keep its books in the man
ner prescribed shall he liable to penalty Of 81 900 for
the first oense and for the second TO suh proceedings
s the Attorney may fit TO take TO forfeit the
Whenever appears TO the Commissioners that
any company has violated any law they shall give notice
ia writing the cOrp0re ton, and the violation or neg
lect continued they may present the facts TO the Al
tOrBey General for action. The Board may, however,
institute actions the Of the people against rail-
road corporations Whenever the Railroad Commits
sioners conclude that any repairs are necessary
upon any road that any addition TO the rolling stock,
additions changes Of the stations, in the races OF
fare passengers freight any change IN the mode
OF operating road is reasonable and expedent, they
shall inform the corporation Of the improvement needed
Upon the complaint and application OF the Mayor, or OF
the Mayor and Aldermen any city, the Supervisors
OF any the Board Of Supervisors OF any county
within which such railroad is situated il shall be the
duty OF the Commissioners examine into the condition
of the road. The Commissioners also re-
ouired TO investigate the OF any aeci-
dent resulting in loss Of life injury They required
to make full annual report 10 the Leg stature and are
authorized change the form Of the report 20 be MADE
ly railroad corpoi atoms The reports which now
submitted the State Engineer and Surveyor to go
receive salary OF O000 year, and the total expenses
o; the Board including all salaries to be borne by
the railroad corporations