NEW PROPOSITIONS.
Mr. WILLIAMS introduced a bill [S. 6] for--
"AN ACT to regulate and make uniform the prices charged by railroad companies, for transporting passengers, goods, wares, merchandise and other property, to and from stations on railroads in the State of Indiana, declaring the duty of certain officers in relation thereto, prescribing penalties for violation thereof, and declaring an emergency.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That all railroad companies operating any railroad, or any portion thereof, in the State of Indiana, shall charge for transporting freight, goods, wares, merchandise, and other personal property, from one station to another upon and along the line of such railroad in the State of Indiana, in accordance with the rates and in the manner following, to-wit: For transporting aforesaid articles a distance of not exceeding twenty miles, not more than one hundred per cent. above the rates fixed and charged for transporting freight over the entire line of such railroad. For transporting aforesaid articles a distance of more than twenty miles, and not more than fifty miles, at a rate not exceeding seventy-five per cent, above the rates fixed and charged for transporting freight over the entire length of such railroad. For transporting the aforesaid articles a greater distance than fifty miles, at a rate not exceeding fifty per cent above the rates fixed and charged for transporting freight over the entire length of such railroad. The rates aforesaid to be in proportion to tne amount charged, fixed and demanded by sach railroad company for "through freight," or for transporting freight over the entire line of such road ; and in determining what such " through freight" is, or what the usual charge is, for transporting freight over the entire line, reference shall be had to the usual and customary prices or rates charged, demanded, published or received by such railroad company ; and to such rates, in the same manner as aforesaid, shall be page: 44[View Page 44] added according to the distances transported as aforesaid the additional per centnm of compensation above provided; Provided, That in no case for less than the whole distance shall the charge be greater than the through rates as published and posted up by such railroad. And no railroad company shall charge, demand or receive a greater rate of pay or compensation : Provided, That nothing herein shall be so construed as to compel the carrying of any package or quantity of goods for less than twenty-five cents."
It provides that the rate for passengers shall not exceed 3 1/2 cents per mile, but no company shall be compelled to carry any passenger any distance for less than 15 cents.
Mr. FULLER introduced a bill [S. 7] for an act to repeal an act entitled: "An Act authorizing aid to the construction of railroads by counties and townships taking stock in and making donations to railroad companies, approved May 12, 1869, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. SMITH introduced a bill [S. 8] for an act to provide for holding courts in the 25th Common Pleas District of Indiana. [It affects the counties of Miami, Cass and Wabash.]
Mr. THOMPSON introduced a bill [S. 9[ for an act fixing the salaries of Judges of of the Supreme Court, Sugerior Courts, Circuit Courts, Criminal Courts and Common Pleas Courts, and providing how said salaries shall be paid, and repealin all other laws in conflict therewith. [It fixes the salaries of Supreme Judges at $5,000 each; Superior Judges $4,000 each; Circuit Judges $3,000 each ; Criminal Judges $3,000 each; all to be paid out of the State Treasury. And it fixes the salaries of Common Pleas Judges at $2,500 a year, to be paid out of the treasuries of the counties, each in proportion to the population according to the census of the U. S. of 1870. This act to take effect the first of January next.]
Mr. SARNIGHAUSEN introduced a bill [S. 10] for a bill to amend section fifty-eight of an act to repeal all general laws now in force for the Incorporation of Cities, prescribing their powers and rights and the manner in which they shall exercise the same, and regulating such other matters as shall properly pertain thereto, approved March 14, 1867. [Authorizing the Common Councils of cities to levy and collect an ad valorem tax of not more than one per cent., for general purposes, on all property subject to State and county taxation, and also on the stocks of all free banks, insurance companies, and all other joint stock companies, to be levied upon the stock of each individual stockholder, whether he be a resident of the State or not ; also on railroad buildings or other property within the city limits, except rolling stock; also on omnibuses or other vehicles run for the carriage of passengers; also a tax of not exceeding $2 on each dog, or $5 on each bitch, and also a poll-tax not exceeding 50 cents on each male inhabiant over ten and under fifty years of age.]
He moved that the rules be suspended, so that the bill may be read a second time now. He said the bill is a very important one to the citizens of Fort Wayne, and they were very anxious it should be passed without delay.
Mr. WILLIAMS suggested that if the yeas and nays were called, as required by the Constitution, upon this motion, that the Senate might find itself without a quorum.
Mr. SARNIGHAUSEN thereupon withdrew his motion.
Mr. CAVE introduced a bill [S. 11] for an act to fix the time of holding the Circuit Courts in the several counties of the Third Judicial Circuit, and repealing all laws in conflct therewith and declaring an emergency. [It affects the counties of Gilson, Martin, Pike, Dubois, Daviess and Knox.]
Mr. BEESON introduced a bill [S. 12] to give the rights of action for injuries in certain cases and declaring an emergency. [It provides that where any one is injured in person or property, or means of suport or otherwise, by any intoxicated person, or by reason of the intoxication of any person, directly or indirectly, such an one shall have the right of action, in his or her own name, against any person or persons who shall by the giving or selling of any intoxicating liquor, or otherwise have caused or contributed to the intoxication of such person committing the injury, and in such action the plaintiff shall have the right to recover part, prospective and exemplary damages, and the owner or lessee of premises, having knowledge that intoxicating liquors are to be sold thereon shall be liable. Damages received by a wife in such action shall be her sole and seperate property.]
Mr. WILLIAMS introduced a bill [S. 13] for an act requiring railroad companies organized under any law of the State of Indiana, to keep their principal office within the State, and have a majority of the directors resident within the State of Indiana and along the line of their road. [And this, even though a railroad, may have been leased to an individual or foreign corporation. Failure to comply with these provisions shall work a forfeiture of the charter.]
Mr. SMITH introduced a bill [S. 14] for an act to amend section five, of an act page: 45[View Page 45]entitled "An Act concerning Mortgages," approved May 4, 1852. [Providing that every mortgager or assignee of lands, having received payment, shall within thirty days of such payment enter on the margin of the record satisfaction in full or deliver to the mortgager a receipt in full, duly acknowledged, upon penalty of not less than five nor more than one hundred dollars.]
These bills were severally read the first time and passed to the second reading.
