RAILWAY LEGISLATION.
On motion by Mr. COPELAND his bill [H. R. 451] regulating railway fares, etc., on the second reading was taken from the table.
Mr. GOODING moved to amend by making the fare for passengers two and a half cents per mile instead of three cents. He said: As the railways of Indiana are not charging over two and a half cents per mile, I think this bill should say so. The companies can make enough at two and a half cents. The railways will take care of themselves; let us take care of the people.
Mr. GORDON: I have no objection to the amendment itself, but I fear that it will endanger the bill. I therefore move that the amendment lie on the table.
This motion was rejected.
The amendment was agreed to - ayes, 60; nays, 34.
page: 214[View Page 214]Mr. GOODING moved to amend so that an attorney's fee shall be taxed with the cost in all judgments against railroad companies.
Mr. MOODY: I hope the amendment will not prevail. I fully concur in the sentiment of the gentleman from Hancock (Mr. Gooding) that corporations should stand on an equality with individuals, but how can his position on this question be explained with such sentiment? I know of no statute or law in the State compelling a person to pay attorney fees unless he contracts in writing to pay. Then why does the gentleman offer this amendment compelling a railroad company to pay attorney fees in all judgments recovered against them? I never represented railroad company, but have uniformly, when employed at all, been employed against them; but, sir, I regard this amendment as wrong in principle, and will certainty endanger the passage of the bill. I am not in favor of a law that requires any man to pay attorney fees unless he contracts to pay them in writing.
Mr. GORDON moved that the constitutional restriction be dispensed with that the bill may be pressed to the final vote now.
The motion was rejected by yeas 63, nays 27, two thirds not voting in the affirmative.
Mr. STALEY moved to amend so that no fare for any distance shall be less than ten cents. He said. No railroad can afford to carry passengers from one station to another for five cents; they would abolish the station first. This would abolish two stations in Clinton County, these two being within two miles of the county seat.
On motion of Mr. GOODING the amendment was laid on the table.
