Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, March 25, 1881, Page 9

— ————————=_[_[_[[].LL EOE THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: FRIDAY, MARCI 95, 1881—TWELVE PAGES. ~ THE STATE CAPITAL: . Reception in the Senate of Re- ports of the Investigating Committee. a That of the Majority Finds in Favor of the Railroad ‘ Board. Whilo Many Delinquencies Are Discovered, Their General Conduct Is Sustained, Recommendations as to Future Conduct and Tenure - of Office. Tho Minority, on the Contrary, Present the Case in a Very Difter- ent Light. Neglect of Official Duty by the Commissioners Plainly Shown. Admissions of Gross Violations of the Law by the Railroad Companies. A Great Amount of Business of Interest and Lnportanco Transacted by the House. Action of the Oommittce on tho Goy- ernor's Nominations to the Railroad and Warchouse Board, SENATE. QREAT GOLNGS-ON. Sprelat Disniteh to The Chicago Tribune, SPRINGFIELD, UL, March 2.—The Senate met at tho usual bour. ‘The speclal order for tho morning was then taken up. being the cunsidoration of Senator Clark's Dill, already read a third thine, making atockboldors Habla for tho full amount of the debts of corporntions, and amending tho law thereof. ' 3 Senutor Rell oppnsed the bi) in a Bpecch of considerable tength, cluimimg that it would not afford tho rellef desired by the general public, end that there was NO WELICGROUNDED PUBLIC DEMAND for the sweaping provisions therein presented. ‘It was a blow at tho Industries of tho State, des structive of mechunieal enterprises, and vir- tually tegielutton Iv favor of monopolies, inas- inuch a8 only rich men could iucorporite. Sen ator Cluck’ matives tu the mutter wer doubt+ Jess good enough, but it was ushrewd moyoin favor of TRY GREAT MONOPOLIES OF TIE COUNTRY. Senator Bell traced the growth of certain cor- porntions, and’ guld tho bill was narrow-minded aad falleclous In its provisions. Had it passed BOE raayo, the West would to-day have deen a wilderness. It would wipe out of exist- ence the great manufacturing Interests of tha Btute. For those and myny othor good reasons he opposed the bill, Somntor Clark, not to be outtalked, roplicd at grentiength, His argument was but a repotl- tion of the one made when tho. DI was read o second thug, Hodid not want any Benntor -to ‘vote for the bill ua a personal favor to him. He mordly wanted tho Legishature to reped) from the statute-buok tho law which gives CORPORATIONS MORE IMMUNITY: from tho payment of thelr debts than Individn- alshave. Ifthe bill failed now, it was simply owing to tho fact that It wis In advance of the times. Senntor White moved tho previous question. ‘Tho ditt was Killed by n vote of yous, 5; nuys, B.A motion was muide to reconsider Tor the purpose of recomumitting It to the Committee on ee Lut tho macion was promptly do- eute, Senutor Fuller ondeavored to make tho re- wrt or thomujority of the Rullroad Cummittec, hut there were acverat special orders, and tho Democracy tllbuaterod for all thoy wore worth. Finally the obstuetes were removed, and THE REPORT OF TIE MAIORITY was presgnted for the couvidoration of the Bon- ate. It is as follows: To the Honoralte, the President of the Senate of the Stale of Iilinol The Committea on Rall- roads, to whieh was deleguted the duty of his Yestheating complaints made to the Muard of Yullrand and Warehouse Coniniissfoners fy re- Jaton to nnitters of extortion and unjust dis. geimination, by te rallroad compuntey of tls Bute, and algo the sets of utd Bourd of Comes iilseloucra, sinco thofr vaniirimtion by tho Whirty-tirst General Assembly In relation tosaid complaints, together with all complilita, writ- ten or verbal, that tight be mud to sald Con tufttee In regard te the performance or none petra of the duties dovelving upon sald Hoard of Commnlsaioners by lnw, respeetfully Leg leave report thee suid Bourd ot Cominise woners bave Cirnished to sald Committeo, in eomplilance with the resolution adopted by tho Senate on tho 18th duy of Janunry lust, COPIES OF THE COMPLAINTS pinta to gald Board, ag required by auld resolue on. ‘ ‘tho Committco have examined Into sald com- pluinte as well ats they have beet wble to do, und (ind that tho Bourd hug atopted the general ruloof requiring that tho party complaining shall sabimit to the Board, in writlug, B specltle eburge showing clenrly the dotalls of tho oxtor- Yon ur unjust disertnlnation complained of. Upon su complaint the Bourd then tikes action a4 the ciroumstances of the cuse secu to require. in vory inuny of tho casus the complaining party hus been Unwilling to pros oced with the cagu, and bud withdrawn the com Maint, requesting that noe wetign be taken there. on, Tn miy otuors the compunys or eorporauon complained of bas adtuitted the charge and ex preased a willingness to arrange tho matter to Tho sutistetion of the compluinant, which bas accordingly bees done. In the bulunce af the cases tho Bonrd have generally acted ae arbitra. turd between the parties comphiiilug and the Tallragd company aguiost which the complaint Was nade. In these cases, ts a rutd, both parties: have chseefully acquiesced in the doelelon of tho Camulaaianars Copies of thes complaints ure transmitted to the bonate with this report, THE FIRST FORMAT CHARGES Inado to the Committee agalnst sul) Hoard were mate bya Connittes of the Chico Uratneltor eelvers’ Aujociutian, represented by A. ML. Wright, B. 2. Baldwin, and George M. Mow, uld ehiexes contutued ‘nine xpeoltteadons ro- Juting petuolnally to neglogt of official duty on the part of the Hoard of Commuasioners, In rele Hon to the noa-enforcemunt of tho hw concerts {og terminal charges by rallrond companies, and Ja nut oxerolaitg a proper supervision aud cobs trolover thy inspection at grain in the city of Coleago, They were tted with the Committee on the Lith day of February tist. when the ox: aulontion of witnesses In support thoreot wae commenced, A LARGE NUSIIER OF W TC) Were brought before the Camiulttes, both on the part of the compliinutits und of the Com Tvstoners, and the lnvostigntion under theae thirges occupied the time ntuost constantly tor wpariod af about tures Weeks, and a yast Amount and variety of testimony was board on euch white. Lt was tho desive of the Connaitieo to ive, tall concerned ample opportunity for a {ul and Tate hearing, and bonca the tehnivat ftules ot ov! co applicable ta courts wore pot enveally adgored tu. aod & considerable pore jon of. the evidence say net have bean stetetly tuuturint to the tie, as tha Committee dustrod touscortain all the fact posable to bo drawa bur. te ardor chit thay mht Corn an bssetllzent Aud fuypurttal Judauient upon the inatters coms Mained of,und perbups be able to mews enedien Ty tho way of sultable tegintation to torrvet the ovila complilned of, ‘The furtasat flare, dg Mod with the Committoy, aro us Sule {Nery aro inserted the charges preferred b; 8M. Wright) 5 ae y * Upon whlob charges THY FINDINGS OF THE COTTER Are na follow: Aa to tho flrat ehirge, ennceratoy tho Inotiii- bility of George M. Hogue, ane of the Comute- Aohers, na eyuluace wae bitradused, except Lue Matemént of Mr, Hogue blmaselt tat bo bud Wilted gertaln propurty for Ucorge Armour & Mewbor of the frat of Anuuut, Dole & Cor Sutehonseimen, We donot consider tat in ae lung oo viuluted any law, or that there was any trig {unprapor ia the transaction. The law Suuply prylbus @ Comunisdivuer Seow velug, during bis term of office, employed by, or cone ueoted with, any raitrosd compiay or werehotiae Tt certainly tees noe protlblt hin from transite! thy tliy pursonal business with i stucktiotdes (i a enttrond corporation, or with a member of fet of warehousornen, ‘Tho churgeis, tborefors, hot usiained, : As to tho second charge, considerable evidences was hotel. ‘This evidence established tho fact that certain ratiroad compaufes were in the habit of iuaxing certain arbitrary terintial charwes, In ndditton to the rexular frefyht chirges, on ene-toads of grain if bulk consigned to Ivera Iw the Clty of Culoaga. It tint some of the compne Wn the hablt oF chairing a feo (generally of about $2 oper cary Where grat was helt out for delly con track, or for relnspetion, or where awitehed to the d livering track, nnd afterwards ordered ta an elevator, IN ADDITION TO THESE CHARGES, some conpinies wero wiso shown ta by in tho Yuble of charwing from #1 to $5 por day Qemurrige where gral ts not timaaded witht twenty-four or forty-eight hours, Te was alae shown that the Commissioners hat otiee that such charges wel do by the rails pasties, altho el tn ah or written: yor made by person to thent Wig sich chirges. ‘The Commissioners, pver, chtlin in thelr sworn testimony, that ead mutters havo been brought to thetr Knowledge they have given considernble thao to tventigute the ening, and teva eubinitted the legal question tnvolved to thetr counsel for de- termination; that the law upon. that subject was nocentrely clear to them, asd that thas’ had bot eonciided thelr investigation tuto tht mat- ter when a OIL was Introduced into the Senate to correet any ambiguity inthe present: lav. ‘Tho Committee believe tint sume portion at auct torminal charges aro itlezal, but concede tint the baw upon that question Is not now cntlrely eluar, Whey, theretore, ANKOLVE THE COMMISSIONERS from tho charge of negicet of otfielil duty, as alleged in charge two, but recommend mat the fiw upon tho nuestien of uebiteary terminal harirud abieid mude moro explicit thin it OW fh Charges three, four, and Nve were considered by the Comimittes as one charge, und much ovis dunce was heard in relation to the (nspection of grata tn the Clty of Cotcagu, Ut seats thare ure a large number of gram-recetvers In Chica, metbers of the Hoard of ‘Trade, who hive never bvet putistied with tho system of “State inspec> tion.” ‘They hud b came, by years of practice, wadded to the system of “ Howed of ‘Trade ine mpeotipay aud many of thon desire to return to the old syatein. ‘ho Committee do not think tt wand ba wise to give entire conti (nat su serlously atfects the Interests of the pro- ducers and shippers of the whole Northwest: to a single nssocintion of grain dealers, ro- celvors, dnd speoulutors in tho City of Chie eazo, They beileve that tho people generally ANH IN FAVOR OF “STATE INSPECTION! and that tho business of inspection shall con- tinue under the control aud managemont of ean hor Lot ay tunttar officers appointed under the laws uf the State. Wile so volleving, it hus nevertholess ven proven that evils exist under the present sya- tem; that the grideg ol grain ira not ay unl- form and certuln us they sbould be. The grain Intercat of Chicago bus grown to wonderful pro- pornons, aud is constantly incrensing, OF course, belng the chief graln-recolylag paint in the world, tua,people have wu great dnterest In the man#yement of that business there, They demand senile of errata that shall be flxed, cur- tain, tolforid, aud recogiized throughout tho olvilized world, fn tho your 180) (the last your, of which we havo any record of the recuipts of grain (n Chicago during tho old syatem of Bourd of ‘rade inapection) the recelpta wore 05,- 692,250 bushels. 17) (under State Inspection) — the wlpts wero 125,851,049 8068 bushels, It wilt ‘bushels: tid in 1880, readily bo seen thut'to supervise and PROPERLY CONTROL AND WEQULATE n dusiness of auch gigantic proportions Is no small task, Tho law upon this subject,, too, ts pecular. The luw provides for tho lppolnt went of a Chief Inspector of Grin by the Gove ernor, by: and with te advice aud con- sont of the Senite. Tho Ratiroad and Warchouso Cammissioncra have nothing to do with bis appolutment — or sori. His duties, as prescribed by tho stitute, ure to have # gonural supervisjon of the Inspection of grain. «9. under tha udvieu and tnimnedlate direction of the Bdurd of Commissioner: ‘The law then empowers the Chief Inspector “to. nominate to tha Commissioners .. . such sultable persons, In guiticlont number, as may bedeemed qualified for asaistant inspecto: +s. und also stteh other empluyés ns tony’ be necessary to properly’ cons duct the business of thls” otter and tho sid Commmlsstonors are authorized to make euch appolntinents.” Also, “the sala Doan of Commissioners shall have und exercise ft generat supervision and control of such ap- poluteca.” THE EVIDENCE Sitows that ono of tho Comimisstoners (Mr, Bowne) hag fn ollice In Chicago, aod pas given a conalderubie ‘portion of hfs thno to tho exercise of “a zoneral supervision and control” over the appointees of tho inspection department. Alad, cant tho other Comtnlasiuners onve occaslonully visited Chiengo to jearn tho views of tho grain trade, to fumiinrize thomsuives with tho management and conduct of tho inspection departuent, or to investigate comphints mide or questions: sul. niltted to tho Hound. ‘Thu evidence shows that tho Chlef Grain Inspector rt Chlengo is not ar expertin gralp or W practical grain man; that ho hus not given his entire the to the performn- ‘nee of tho duties of his alice; that be bas ton Jnrge extent been engaged in omer inatte! wt capertatly so during tho busiest season in tho grin trade; that the general maperyislon, as totho “in inspection” of grain bas been DELEGATED TO THE Fist AND SECOND ASSISTANTS § that the Chlef Inspector hng himself rarely vis- fred tha tracks to uscertalu bow the tisapection was being done, yet it does net Appear that wy” compliiuts as to thoso imitters were over mnde tu the Hatloaad and Waretouse Comutsatoners, and wo ure nnable to avg Whervin thoy could be hekd responsible for the existence of such a stata of facta. “Ag wa vlow the tucter, tho luv ty nat sitlictentiy explictt on thi subjeot, Wo bellovo: thut tho Chic! Grain Inspector ought tw bean expert lo gealn, required to give bis entire the tothe performances of the duties of the ollice, ought himself to supervise both the in and out fngpeotton of gralu, and that his sal Ought to be mude lurge onotgh so that tho very bust tal- ent attainable can be seared for that olllce, » aAnty tho Jifth charge, that tho gradey bavo been changed or moditied withont the proper Tegal notice thereof buying beon given, the Com- mittey can only say that, TUE EVIDENCE DOES NOT SUPPORT THE CHANGE, Tho only foundation for tho alxth charge ts that an Inspector was recommended for promos Hon. Charges were preferred naealnas, ian allege iusy hie wniitiess for the higher oftlee, The Board met in Chicugo, tully investigated the matter, and refused to make fhe promotor, but permitted hw to remuin in his former pusltion as track Lnspentor, As to tho soventh chargo, thora was no evi- dence whatever, and the charge was withdrawn, Uniler tho eighth charge it wag shown that un omployé was given a vacation of three months on devotnt of Hlnegs, and wus pormitted to draw hisanlary to dato, We think that thorein tho Commissionors did nothing but what business- men frequontly dows to omployés who have beon in their employ a long tiae and have proved faithful and deavrving, Astochirgo ninth, very little evidenco was offered, and we tro Unabld to aus that extravie gineo ind wastofiiness in tho expenditure of tho funds of the inspootion dopurtuent bus beon shown, . THE TOTAL EXP! OF THE INSPECTION DEPARTMENT for tho ee, onding Oct, Ul, 1879, was shown to WOLDS, and of thy registration dupartnient SUG.57, he inercise I experisas Over Iho oxpdnaud of former yours, when the mattur was controlled by the Board of Trade, ts in about the sine propyrtion aa the Increase in tho amount of bualiess; und wo have beon unable to dss Prae uny ovidenco of misuppropriauen of nits, ‘Tho ovidonce buying beon closed upon the oburgve preferred by the Gratis tecol vers’ As- soelutton of Chlcagy, the Peorkt Sturoh Mantes laetorhay Fompiny,, of Peoria, HL, by George F Hucding, Ios Proaltont, ppaarod hetora tbo Comuilttes and dled the follawing charygen: were fone. the charges mude by Gourge F, Tho ommitten woro ongaged In tho oxam{na~ tion of suid chances and the bearing of teatiioun: {naupport thereof for about two wouks, wn guve to the consideration of the sume drt care~ Yul und considerate attention which a matter of eo gruve ond finportant a nature would seem to ruguir, uiter the firstand fourth obargea tt was proven that mnuy of tho raitroad companius doy busl- wens In this State UAVE NUT COMPLI ED WITH THE SCL RATER for tho transportation of passungors and troight ua propared by the Commiasionera; that eure portions Have cont fied to Nx thelr own rated, nMsting, howovur, and averting thelr readiness to prove that auch nites as fixed by thomsclves were rrasonable raves; the law being that such eerporations wiay eharge and roculve n reason De rate, and the scuodiles of the Cominlesions ers bolng only pring fala evideuce under tho daw of what are resonable uaximuin ral ‘Who vvidgnee showed, however, that la many casee UR rites ag Used by tho rastrond cont puntos were less than those xed by tho edulod of tho Commissioners, and that all (ho pringipil ponds ho State hive compiled with the Commissioners" sehudules ae to the Fates for the transportation of passengers. Ut wii also shown That some of tho railroad eompantes dolug business In tho State were i the bubit of wivitug epectal rates and robates $0) eertatn slp. Pors, insisting, howover, that such rates wore open to wlldolg busiiods at te sime place oF couplynig with the wane cortition Te wis, alsa shown dt tuany’ plicos whure vampotltion extatod thy conipauivs were fa the habit of POOLING THRU BAUNINGS ta onter to mulntain, rates, or render them ptoady wad iniitera. ‘Thy vty testimuny va to the oxtont to whieh the Comailystoners bid" pers wemelly uvestigated dnd useectalied " whotber tho law bad beon or was bolng Violated, and uso sytalting the Varloud atatlons on tho line oF gach rudroad for that purpose aa often ua prie- tleatte,” was given by the Commilasiguers thom solves.” Wappenred tant thoy nad vestigated whonover complains wad made to thot, but tat the juajority of the Doand bad not wenerally cone sidered it thor duty to tnvostiynte pect fine etauoud of violaion cavopt upon writteu coms DULLES pidtucinado tinthame Te wis shown tint they ne Fiaited various portions of tho State, both fadividunlly and. na Rourd, for tho purpos anonttaned de the wet al Bah Upon tne stigect of proseeutions the Rourd ues ndbercil Co the enoxervall potley ndapted by tholr predecessors, and neted upon by all tho. Commissioners since the orginization of the Roard, Under that polley ithus been thoit rile tonvold arent inaltiptielty of suite, unt the varloua qstustions presomted hy the Law could he ettiod 20 the Cottrts of last resort. Tho Raprome Court of the State has deuided uniformly on the alee of th people and in favor of the constituuondlty of the hwy. Soverat cnaca, however, are pending in iny Supreme Court of the United Stites thnt have not yet h d, The Kegisiature of the Sinin seen have approved af this palley upon the. fact that dluriig the term of the Commissioners: VEUY LYTLE MONEY HAS DBEN APPioprt- ATED for the purpose of Htigution. Uf itis the dear that suits should be tuitiptiod, und all viet tlona prosecuted to tho extentor the lay th finple approprintions should be tit Mirpos ture and nat with tho ¢ aA8 to tho secoidl ¢, it is shown that tho present Comuisstor have made no new utes, nd hive pot revised those af their predocessors; but Choy have comnmenced pon the work of revising, und have for some tne been collecting dita trom while to form a proper tas als. oF rates for the new sutiediules, Sf wats tenti+ Ned before the Cotnmittee, on behnif of tie Commisaionera, that a complete revision of the Behedoles was ty vourse Of preparation, aid woul be mde as soon ts Ytreunistinees: permit, and the Leyishturd should mabe suite able appropriation for printing and publishing Abu same. We are led to bellsve niso that iit THE REVISION OF THIS STATUTES tha rates both for pussengers and freight will bo ally reduced: to: correspond with tno Ine ereased volute Of bualness und the recent res duetlons in tho rates of interest. + Charge threa was sirieko out, aud no ove dence heart In support thereof, and chirge live: is substnnthuly Inetudedt in charges ove and Tour, and the tidinis of the Committee on sit charges one and four will apply as weil to ebarge nm for that ive the Diane reste with the Leyla munissioncrs, vo. 5 Genorally, tho Committes find that mo mal- foasanes it office, no corruption, He olflelAl Mise conduct bts been proven agaist the Com iiss alonera, The only fuult established 4, pornaps, that of nonfensiitee, of thut they bye ot complished a that thoy might bave done, Tha polley pursued by them bas, in the apiiton of tho Comittee, beon too conservative, Yot in tho purauinco of that pute te: 4 tho Bowrd have committed ‘ors, those orrors have been on the site side They hnve not recklesly expended tue money ov! tha State tu prosecution unt MIGHT HAVE RESULTED DISASTROUSLY, They have been ceonomica! and prudent.—per- hups too mueh si; but Weare not prepared to say that thoy have not dong as well as others would dave done pursulag the opposit. polite: However, wo recomend toat tn the future the Dourd shill pursue amore radieal aud vigorous policy; and that violutions of tho uw, when- uvor brought to tholr notice, whother by written complalut or uthorwive, sbull be prosecuted as Tor a8 the approprintions mude by the General Assembly for that purpose will permit. Finally, we believe that the duties which the inw pute upon the Hoard of Ratirond and Wares house Commissioners ore sich as to require tho entire tneof the best men thitt can be induced to: accept the oles, Wo recommend that the term of olticv of tho Conmissloners ho excended to Bix Yeurs, one member gumg aut every two Years; Unit tho State shall be anvided into threo: istrict, with one member of the Hourd to bo chosen from couch dlatrict, and nsgigned the rapes chil duty of investigating alt comphuinss that may be made tn his district, and that eaelt tuember of tho Board be prohibited by tw from holding any other olficlal pusitten, und be EQUIRED TO GIVE IS ENTIRE TIME AND ATTENTION to tho norformance of his dutles naa Rallroud and Warehouse Commissioner. With such an arrangement we believe the law might be more thoroughly enforced than $s possible under the present system. ‘The Committee are of the opinion thut very lttie further Jegislution concerntug railronds 1s needed, except such #8 will tund to secure a better enforcement of the Inws now on the atatute-books. ‘The evidence taken before the Committes hag all been preserved, and Is transutitted to the Somite herewith It willie found to euntain much valuable information which it Is tuipossi~ ble te reeapitulute In the Hinited space given te: this report. ‘Thu Committes respectfully ask that thoy be discharged fram turer cousideration vf tho matters referred heroin, All of wuieh is re- Bpecttilly submitted, Chas. EB, PUbteiy pecans a De CONDEE, Tho report was necepted aceurding to tho ‘usual fora, and ibe Committee dischurged, THE MINORITY thereupon sailed fn and prosented tho following: As stated {n tho majority report, your Cain- mittee devoted wlerge part of tts tne to the {uvastigation of iiegal terminal eburges alleged to have been made at Chleago by rau compuoics against shippers ands of grain, nnd concerning such it was claimed reposted eonplaints Mad been inetfectually imide to tho Bourd of Kullroad and Warehouse Commisstonurs, On this aublect wo first invito attention to Seca, dund 5 of the netot Apr B71, “regu lnting the recelying, transportation, wd de- livery of grain,” Sea, 4 frst gives consuznees the ‘privitere ‘af changing the consizaments after tho cur arrives, and thon Kay No extra, charge shall be permitted by the corporation buvtiig tue custody of stich property In conse Hiaunae at atoh chino uf consignment.” hfurthor gays thet “agy conslenee or person entltiod to receive tho delivery of grin trans. ported dn bulic by way railroad: stall hive twenty-four buurs freo of expense, atter actual notice of the urriyal by the corporations to mo palunecs In whieh to remove same from eats siteh corporation, if he sil desire ta reecive it from tho ears on the truck," Now, tirat, AS TO THE PROOF OF VIOLATION of this atatute by tho rullroads: Printed notices bonring dates Adgust, Septomper, and Noveme ber, {oi Issued by the Chicago, Burhugton & Qulbey fallroad Company, and algo by tho Te nos Central Kalirond Company, were abown to the Committee, whieh notlces manounced that theso Companies would make tho following termini charges agatust shippers aud receivers, to-wit (wa quae Hterally)s On ait wgeala dolly> ored fromarack a churge of two cents per 100 pounds for delivery will be made in addition to teansportadon chirges, and, if billed toclovutor aud then ontuted on track, él in addition to tho twa centa, ‘Tho uutlees referred to further say, with re- gant to bulk graiu, that where cars ute billed to to track und tire ordered to olevitor, &1 to Re terminal charvo will bo made, and algo $1 extra eburge In entses where billed to elovator and atte erwards ordured Co triuk. Mr, Haldwit, page eat the testimony, post: tively awears tint those charges wore uniformly Imado, and that, 100, during the frat twenty-four: hours after the arrival of oar. Mr. How corrotarites the alitement, and an paye 21 aay: * Lcatlod Mr. Bague’s attention to iho matter list summer, Ho (Hogue sales * Why don't you minke complain’ UC dud: 8 LC ts uot my bitsineds to do 60, but if you want evidence, Mr. Dogo, you can get it trom any nian duit ree elves gradi sald B. . Haldwin and 0, M. How proninent grates receivers of Chicago, ‘Those and othor witnesses testitiod to the trot that tho printed notices referred to were posted oonsplonously fis the railroad aloes, wud wees: milled to grain shippers and recotwers for tho fainose of ainouneing publicly that such teri ial charges would be mide; that tha railways nied openly, coutliuously, wd for wn periods mado and % COLLECTED THESE UNLAWFUL CHANQES, Violation of tho statute Kpokun of could not have boon more flagrant and wiiral, Wo unite with tha uuujecity af the Connittee who aay ti tholr report that those yiolttons were Well known to Mr, Hogae and hia axsoclates, Wo unite with them in sayig *stheaw terminal ehargos wero (logit, and that the Commision. ora did not proavente tho defenders. Uut we tire amazed to hear tho majurity: way thie the Taw upon that question Is not entirely clear" Bud wo omphationlly dissent fram thate cane! sion dinmedistely following, ue whieh they say thoy therefore absolve tho Commissioners from the etuitge af neglect of abicial dit No Jaw could be plainer: no facta goutl bu pirpert and no neglect of oltichl duty more evident Men of Digh churacier engaged ta the gratin tranbe $1 Chicago stintest ait oath Clune Chote (leat charges would annually agurexate the round sin ve SI, AM a thts enmie diceatly oat of tho poukets of the farnters und others: who shippat gran over the rouds in question, In the face of thla vast oxtore don, armed with the proofs und backed by tho law, the path of duty was clearly marked aut before them, Tho very laws whieh thoy tat been appoluted to execute and vindicate bad been wantonly defed, aid yot thoy faltered in presences of thole duty; Me extortion conthis weds they tuoked fly on nad never brought a wingto sult, We cannot Jol the mayority in granting thom absolution. THE FLIMSY PRETEXT: that tho Inw was stot eluar dHowld nat (nttucnce any candid mind. ‘The constitationality the Jaw directly dnyolyed: hud long boturo received the sanction of tho bighvat courts, naubly in the cawa of Munn ve. Ubinals, decided Gotatier, Iei0, by the Ualted States supreme Court, and Ruggles va. ‘The People, deeldad septonite ier your awe supoeme Cauct, The rate toy catablinbed, regiicing complaints to be fted tn writing, and sugested by Mtr. Bogue to Me Low, atoutd utford those uxeoutlve officers to tetpue. Utes thy law af thole appohituiat it ia fhade tholr duty te proseoute ald litraations: rorirdleas of Che auiier In whicd they weqsine knowledxeor them. 1C}s made ole daty te act alltrinatively. to Wngitlrg and seek out the wrong, au ypon thelr own geTion To ated The prascen= don. ‘Phoy have ne. rhcue to add to the law by: nupeaif the condition upon whieh they will pertor thor dub wapiontntls: when dt lsaippar ent to every falreaiinded mit that the candi Mons Shey Tipose Of requirtige tthe purty age xtioved to ty complaint tn weithiye iastiitly ey posed Bln to the Lostiity: of tbe nulleoat conte many, Tho puly tundd to tranefur the reaponal: bine frow (hy shouldora of the Commissioners, wore where it belona, to the shoultors of the citt zen, whose entire 7 alipping conventences ero atten conned te ous rails way Une. Heving incurred the | ill-will ot this ine, (tia ne diMault anatter for the rall- rott company, by many fogenioe melee well known and practiced, to virtitally ostracise thalr vietlin and cripple bis business, The Commis- sioners i CANNOT RETREAT DEWIND AUCH RULES and defend their nbsolute toneaction. In re speot to these terminal charges. no comprom) no settlements by the Commlastoners wert even attempted, ‘Thoy paver sosgnt, xo Lar ies apmenrs from. the evidence or front thelr owl Rittements, to induce the rallrouds to disgorzo: tholr extatdone. ‘They did not even resort to that diplomacy of arbitration with the eattrond4 Gf whieh We hear so much. Perhaps Mr, Bozur, te whom to the division of the inbors of tie Commasing dre teld at Chienwzo was inality ase shzoedt, was (nit tigher dexece responsible for this grossa negtect of duty thy hid nasoclntes, ‘The Cominite aving Addressed steeif to tho InqQuiry whernt the Hourd of Radtroad and Warehouae Commissioners tied or hand not fabled to perform thelr duty itt not enforcing the hiw Ayainst railroad compitnles Vinlating the Rall rod fnws of this State iE becatne both necessary and proper for the Conmmitted ty investigate tho qqtestion whether any ritrodd companies had violated the ltwa of this Suite since the con- femation of tho present Bourd by tho Thirty. dint General Assembly. ‘Chia view was taken hy a mujority of the Committee, and accordingly: witnesses were called for the ulrrpose of making this protiinlanes Inquiry. On this potnt Mr, i Ripley, General Profght Agent for the C bao, Burlington & Quincy Mnilrond, testi that the passenger und freight rates charged by his jfamipany for the pnat two yours were yene erally IN GXCESS OF THE ATES fixed by tho fullrond Cominiasioners for that row); thatthe road had never contormed nor attempted to conform ty the rates xed by tho Commussioners for that rouds that the road mud watly from year to year the reports.to tho Hour required by how, ticliding the tariff of rates; that his rond did charge to t1 erson for the adion of frelynt over ayiven distance A krenter uinowot thun It at tho same tine churged to nnufber person fur the same services that, when the Compuny anw ft it churged more taone person for the transportauon of relent over wyiven distance than It at the same thine vharged anuthur person tor transporting the sume kind of freight over greater dise tunece and fa the game direction: that where thers is nm cutnpeting polnt bis Company fixed und at ite pleasure chunyed the rate to and from tha polut, and that it wus not controfied by. distance nor did tf chunge the nutes for other points to sult those changes nor tiuke lower rates for tho poluts nearer inurkets und with n fess hal: that these diss crininitine rates, called soinctiings speett rates, ites, ar drawbucks, ure and wlways bave been: wn on tho Company's books at ite ollie 1 Hicawo; that bis company: did not make public their specin) rates or rebates; that it was ine tended to give these special rates io all parties ander tho sume circumstance; the elreumstunces under which these special rates were ulven vurled with exch eqse and depended upon the quantity huuled, the Une, the plice from which and to which the huul was made, the condition of thy Company, the facilities of the shipper, and other circumstances: that hls cumpuny onide from the to time during tho tast two yeurs cou- tracta called POOLING CONTRACTS with other ronds at competing points in this Suite, by which rates were mutually axed and the rechipts divided; that there are four such points iy this Stite on the tne of his ruud at whieh much pooling contricts exist, but the witness declined to give the tumos of the polnts and with what companies tho contracts were nnide; tut the rates fixed by the pool were fH some cases ubove the Comilssloners’ rates, amt that generally the effeet of the pool was to Tulse tho rites About Ti per cent above whut thoy were before the pool was formed; thut be- fore the formution of the pool the rites at such points were reduced by competition, walle at Don-competing points tliey remained vnehunged; thitt the pracess of fixing rates 13 purely t tive; Umt there {8 to. Belenee of rites, —It is nm matter of trial and competition; that his company charges from some poluts what it can get, und to some persons what they eat p that the charge wis not 1 fixe nbuve the retual cust; that tho Rallroud Cam missioners had never examined the books of bls simpli within his knowledge. This witn deelined to produce the books showing such re mtes, wd stated that it would take n tong tine to run over the contracts for such rebates; thut tho quantity was very great,'but he could not give the aniaunt. Another wituess was Mr. Josoph C. Tucker, General Frelzbt Ayent of tho Ilnols Central Hullrouds also Mr. W, 3, Spears, General Freight asxentof the Withish, St, bouts & Pavitle Rut- round at Peorkt; also Mr. Hugh Riddle, President, and Mr, Sundford, General Frelht Avent of tho Chicago, Rock Islund & Pacific Ratiroad, who testined substuntiaily to THE SAME CONDITION OF THINGS with regard to the roads with which thes aro connected respeetiy and these latter wit- leases aalsu tesuiied that thelt books would hive shown the varlous rebates wid driwbacks, and that the Commissioners nade uo eifurt to ex- anminy said books. We aire alte to report of.thesespecial rates and othor diserlminuttons simply the fact that dure * log the list two years they had been made con- atuntiy and notoriously, and tn immense num bers, by these rulecond corporadens in tuvor of whoinsouver thoy saw tt, and that they ure, uns der our lw, unjust diseriminations, “The te jority of the Committee baving adopted a ruling Which prevented an examination of the dentiis of — these special contracts, re- bates, or drawtnicks, were prevented from obtaining much fofermation upon those mutters which might Live been of great Inturs est, Tho information obtained was drawn it together from railroad offlelats — themsely nuiidst continu objection by counsel. | We have further to report Unit nothing has been offered fy evidenes which satiifactorily rebuts this presumption that they are unjust disercinte inntiens, ts deelnred by our laws. ‘Pho rafiroud otlohis proviaimed thelr inability to give di tutld touching them, without tho iid of car. of books und vouchers, und thoy negle: refused to produce thelr books and vouchers, whereby they admitted the actual ruth eauld bo fuuy losed, Wao tive to report,that we cane not accept (1 Hew of tho faet the AMINGUOUS STATEMENTS, matte by these ollicials—viz.; That tholr dis- ernuinations were open to all under thy sie: AurenuEstititve: Oue of the eireumstunces upon woleh their agents clin the right to make Kpeeht discriminating rates 18 the existence of competition ata given point, or for a xlven business; and this we hive to report is held to boun wasist discrimination in the Rdgment oF AML tribudiala whleb have passed upon the qaes~ don. Another cireumstauce is the quiitity: hauled, And ft 1s easy to seo that this “ercum- wt may by anvided at the wil or tnese trastees and tanagers, wil thitt thos may drive the people from thor public hughwaye by ving rates to wrent shippors Nader terms and circum tanees ‘beyond tho ability ar tho seopo of the ordimicy mat. So that we may end with gigantic shipperse like the Goulds and Vaniderbilts, doing nil the bith oss and eristing ont alt rivalry over railroads uwned nid minaged by themselves or thelr fetlow-monepohste. “To nse the lagu Of tha English Ruttroad Comuisalonors, in i. C. Slate Co. va. BP, Re 1, Con 2 ‘Tratiio Cuses, page 70s not consist In wll bein Pa ment, for it the mar nt ig net forthe public interests, oF gue: ond the fle reyird w eoumpany may pay Its own (interests, leaves tne touched the rignt ofall under the trafic act tobe PUL HpON equal terms, . .. A rallway company eatiaut compot the publie to” puretuise equality of treatment by tinposing conditions uf that character... The same offer may be inwle tol, but cirewmstances are au unlike that every kind of partiality would ensue if Mie user muat be accept ad or parctea subaiit to ldgher charges.” TO TAKE OUT OF THE ACT of May 2, 1873, agalust uojust discriminations and extortivn the rubates, drawhacks, and spe- chil rates contained tin the mountains of con. tracts ot that eburacter, titing avery rallroud olticy in this State wien wo have investigated it iy necessary lo show that the rates thud charmed were falr and reasonable, having die regurd to thy olreninstances, 1 any, alfecting the cust of cnrelage by the rallroud compaules for thy dit- fervat freizhters, "Tho books tre full of casva where tho nullroad cowmpintes chiar dat (be elreanetinces justify the ditference in thy ebitges thoy have madd, and Where the Courts deelury thoy donot. ‘To allow ébe wholesale opinions of the parties: fa the contracts to outweigh the presuaintions Of tho jaw 49 to make the quitsl-erhuinals judges In ther own case. and to compel us to aecupt thelr opinion where they refuse te furaeh us With tho means of fornuny our own, Th view af the foregoing evidence, we ary cons atrained to conclude that the abovermentioued rattrodds have tubitually for the last two youn violuted the provisions of the act ot Shay 3 Ist, designed Lo provent extortion and Unjust dia. erimmiation. it was not contented by the Cott. inissioners Chat they did not: Know of these pes peatad Viold tons Of haw, hut, ah tho contrary, Funan fiapeetion ofa harge NuTUber oF written couple! tude Co thet suid sabrifited to the Commutton is clear that the knowledge of inany OF these vivlations, ds well na sliutlur Vos judons by other roads, hits for along tine been holt passion. ‘Tho reports of wit the roots Inthe Bate coutaing copies OF thelr turits maity Co tho Hoan waitd be an ottictal sources oF tntermation to thom of the churges made by such Pits, AS TO THE POOLING COMMNATIONS of the railroad companies, the Commlaslonens doctored im Ubels report of 1ST] duit taey have been estabtishod ut many of tho conmpeting pete ge the Suite” und that thoi sattenton Dis boon directed to thie fact.’ Comiissioner Hogue iestiiies that he? knew of the pooling ure ninomunts in many casey vleng Che lies of thy roads i Uilnolg” Aw to the: cutting of rates that preceded the pools, tho satis Comtalisianer tostitied; © Woe kuow of the war of rates Wain edt.” PBI (ene bepure the pookd were Cor Tho Contatsstaens adit tat they hay stinited only one suit Ayu any Pulled since They have been Me odies uri: the hat four yours, Naraht they caattiie the books und of Hees of the Varios rulrastds, ita requinad by Bee, Tae thy awe of May sek Nor did thoy make tho vielts wad eadmtnations res quired by Hee, ar the net ob April ay Int estubtlstlig sald Comtubsaloa. ‘Cho majority ob Wwe Committe, howover, by resotation declunat thts seouon res poutudd by Soc, Toe tue wet at May 2 Wed oo thas I toy apinton of he Biajuriy tho relents contaiued tu tila section Wery By Jouavria tury, Apart from tho (act that the validity of the Jaw Or any. part thereof was not aubinitted to tho Comunittee nmang tho matters to te tavestl: autor, it ts to be considered that thy section in question ts fostnd jn the revision of 1szh, und the THEE'thaL it wits repeatou must have eseaped the attention of the revisers as well as that ur tho ression of the Genortl Assembly whieh adopted the revision, and allot the Board of Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners themselves, 09 we find this anine rection repentedty published by thom In thoir annual reports, Wo are UTTEMLY UNAHLE TO CONCUR with the tnnjority of the Committers in the view oxpressed inthe reaolutton referred topand mat hold that theee vinissions amount to a newiect OF acvery plain nd tmportant duty. If this duty wero fuithfatly pertorined, the necessity of writ+ ten mplaints would never buve arisen. practice to which we have already adverted, and to which we shall advert hereafter. Nor, 0s contended, Js itan Impossible duty to perfarin, or oven adificult one, or one whieh would oc- cupy inor: Uinte otie-third of their thine, Not- withstanding this pli matidnte. meat of tho counties have never been visite, and especiall points where the gravest compliints existed, and many of the lending cities of the State have never seen 0 Commissioner. We further find that the Bonrd have made no new schedules nor revised the ones mude by thelr predecessors, although the pe iy of siteh achedule has tong been most urgent, as [A ndin ted by the Board thetnscives in th IN. The nogessity wud importan vision [a of the frst conkequenc Know, tho schedules aro mide only thy Frasonubieness Pp report for of auch re- As 1 welt rina Facto the rates xed. nifestly a sehodule confessed> ly defective would have ttle weight in any Court, aid a much slivhter degree of evidences would be suffictent to overcome the presumpuo created by auch n schedule than would by neces- sary {if such a sebedule 14 the law requires had been made; and manifestly a achedule tn whlch tho rates ure too bigh 140 COMPLETE SCURRENDEN OF THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE, and fs tohond them over to the tender imercles of corporutions: for no man with the schedules againgt hin could ever tunintein hitnself in court, nor would he cven attempt i. Many rullroads, too, huve been built sites the sched> ules were made, for which nu schedules what- rhuve been provided, and #8 to such roxds fnw prohibiting extortion becomes pructi- cally Inoperarly ‘Tho Commissioners interpose asa defense to tho charge that they bhve filed to prosecute rallronds whieh nave vlolnted tho la First—Thuat they bad onde a rule which re- quired ull complainte against the raltrunds to be made to them In writing.und that fn all or nearly all Whe cases where complaints were made thoy habs anystem. of aroitration. nico by them Invented und adapted, Induced tho pr endiay mad to restore the money Mealy taken, wn proulse reformation in the future. ‘This prac- lice, which the report of tho mitjority styles a “conservative pulley.” they polit to with much: pride in thoir reports for tho years 1s78-"? and wW.undeven ask that it have the suticton of Legisiative approval. And it fs also shown by the evidence tit they have invariably refused tv entertaln any complaints or correct any evils except in cases of written comphiints made by the victios thomecly ‘This practice ts wholly unwarranted, both by the letter and spirit of the law creating the Board; it ls more—it [sa manifest, palpable, and FLAGHANT VIOLATION OF THAT LAW. ‘The act of April 13, 1871, Sec, 11. decinring that “Sal Commissioners shill exumine into the condition and agement and vil ather mat- tera concerning the business of railroads in this State, und whether such railroad coinpanics comply with the laws of the State; and then in. the clearest language commands: “ And when- ever It shail erine to the Rhowledee. elther upon complulnt or otheriwelse, or they shalt have reaxon to Detleve, that any such Taw or fuws bave been or ure being Violuted, they shall prosecnte or cause to be prosecuted all ‘varporations or persons guilty of such violutlon, dhe act of May 2, 1573, against extortion, Sec. 7, usa commands with equal cle: 2 And whenever the facts in any ininuc ceurtnincd by suid Commissioners shall in thelr judgment warrant sich prosecution, it shall he the duty of aaid Commissioners to fintiedlately cause silts ta be commenced und prosecuted against any railroad corporation which may violate the pro- visions of this uct." ‘The dudes of these Commissioners are plain under botb those nets. Under neither bad they Any diseretion except to determine whether te riiroud company was guilty of violadny tho and when ‘this was determindd, then a prosecution of the xullty corporation inust nec essurity follow. Both vets properly construcd are alike tn fixing thls plein Mnie of duty it was never meant thit t shoul withbold sults againet guilty corporations at their pleus- ure, orin pursuance of nny policy, or beeuuse they thougnt the law was Unconstitutional, or because thoy fenred §t would be bell so, or “from a proper regard for the public purse,” or becanse they held tho vain hepe that when the Supreme Court should approve the law the raliread companies would atlatunce stop bronk- tug the law. These were considerations with which the Commission HAD NOTHING TO 105 they were proper ennsiderations for the General Assembiy alone. White the law remialned ua- changed requiring the guilty party ta be pros- ceuted, 1f was not for the Commiasion to use the purdoning ‘power or compound ollenscs against the law. ‘his course Mr, Commissioner Smith acknowl+ edges war not In his opinion the proper course for the Commission to pursue, and Me. Hogue tells us that: Mr, Oberly aud be overruled Mr. Smith on this point. Mr, Hogue secks to defend his course imine that they adopted this polley by advice of counsel, and tout it was approved by the Legisiuture of Is But there {5 nothing, we submit, In» elther of these defenses; the advice of counsel wilt mot serve. an oticer cominanded to suc as a justivention for letting the guilty wo unpunished nqider a policy of tiklag a promlic: in Heu of tho peualtios of tho law, and the facts do not warnint tho statement that this polices” tet the approval of tho Legisinture. The ad- vice of commsel was not bad upon The only port Upon which advice could properly be asked or properly glven-—viz.: that the fucts did pot show: the corporation to hive violated the law, and hence that the prosecutiva would fail, Tt was asked ns to whether a polley of arbitration was a wite one under cirenmatances stated by the cellent; and tt fs a novel clalin to set up that ft ja the provinee of counsel to advise an ottver to COMPOUND THE OFFENSES the Jaw bids bim punigh. The only counsel pro- vided fur the Cominisaion aire tho Attorney-Gen- eral and Proscuting- Attorneys of the State sy Bee, Wot the act of April by 187), ft is made their duty to bring and prosceuty suits_on tho request of the Commission; and by See. 7 of the aet Of May 2 tho Cominisaton may employ volineet to nasiat the Attorney-General (n cone dueting sueh suit on behalf of the State.” ut it Is carefully added that "no euch suits corm. menced by salu Comayssioners ebill be dismlaged except stich Railway and Warchouse Cominiss sloners and the Attorney-Generat shail assent therete.”” We submit that no counsel cin be called fn to prevent sults being brought, aad the ower to dismiss theot whet brougat van only by exercised with the consent of the Attorney= Guneral, Mis advice was to be taken for diss missing sults; bit certainly not the advice of the Attorney-General. and much tess chat of 1 stringer, cin be see up tu nuthorize these officers to defent tho wholo Jaw by 4 Quaker polley of never suing at all. pove that the attention of the Genera Assembly was over called ta the fuct that this Commission pad adupted the policy of refusing to sue, and of arbitnition and composi= on woth followed by It, ‘There is na stig factory evidence that even thls report for 1878, alloyed to contain a statement of euch pallies, ever reaehed tho Legishitury of 1878, much low that {twas nerually considered by that body pric or to thy contirmution of the Commasionens tn January, b and itis probable that the report was not oven printed by the State, nor delivered fn advance abvets or otherwise before thelr cons firmation. ‘On the other hand tt is certalu that this policy not tosne ts RQUARELY CONTRARY TO THE LAW ITSELF. and that ag effort to change tho law in thts very” purclenlar met with defeat at too bands of this vory Gonorit| Assembly, Uy whom they were un: tirmed; and this (3 the best dence we baveot the opinions of dit body touching the policy ot arbliration, But this report, for Wis heals fae short of dee loaring that the Commissioners with do ag Sr Rogue and Me, Oberly huve dune—mituelys that tnuy will uot brig suits to punish the corpora: dod found guilty of vieliting tho luw, if thoy wall restore tho Woncy they Buve extarted and Promise to do soul more, “On the contrary, the Commission here dechires thst it wilt report to tho courts" in “extreme cases.” and although 1 wil not “wantonly erusade” against any pall- way corporition, yet it does recornize tts duty to iy all possivle means tu enforve thy law. At even it sue coure were oot in violas tion of tho law, tho policy of suc a course ne required a written vouplatat to by unde by the veto of extorfiog cannot bn too seventy reprebended, as in the case of the terminal charges nt Cntewen tho consequeners of such Sonplats wonh! bo vastracism mn business: at Jouut the fear of this would Ont tationtdace tnon abd (uduce then to sutter the bits they bad dathor than nish tu those they knew not ol Second=—1t ls urged by tho Commulsdioners that, thy constititionitity of the bye bela unsettted, aloe regand ta the public purse requirvd: that they should delay the insitition of any Girthor SH ee Min tter Was settled by tho Courts, Phiten contalne ENTS OF PLAUSIBILITY, than do any of tbo exeuses ofersl. ‘The peopte ofthis Stale are gnively and tepeatodiy soli by tho Commissioners (hat IE Ut wite Hor capes dient to attempt by py uppeal to the law ta ole tain any redreaor ther geevances until all Vestheva of doubt as to the consntutionslity of that law ace rnoved. Ut there was a doubt ti tho mints ot Ay Persons 1h the State at Minos fa to Cho eattalitudonality of the taw, utter the decition of the Mfpreaw Court of the Calist Siated tn the cusy oof Manu ve Hituos, above referred fa and tho nve rallmad cases dycid&t ab the sume term, those pers bave been the Kalina and Wanbuuse Commitagenons of Minos. ‘They vertatnl wery the only Sdoubting Taoases” | The case ot Riles ve. ‘The People reported in vt LE i Sts, follow ty the locaton of tue Uulted States Su: rea Cnirt fy the Munn cam, ae well as wo are knowo ae tho “ranger aes” show bow OUY CWO CUTE alRDly fulterstes the pemclple, wali bokding the baw to be constitutlonal AL doubt, towever, Was hot removed tra the muda iF chaise upon tonk us gtantans of toe bounle’s Intenal on thle very cuestuy, agd (ne 6 ’ poonin, wero told to walt; that © caso was pond- Ing in the Sirprome Court of this State. ince the Ruggles cnac, decided in 1878, whieh would cer- tatuly cleur up tho aubject. ‘This caso was tho Mlnois Central Rallroad caso, At lat that casa waa decked, tn June, 188, and its deciaton showed, whut was ovident to all minds but those ‘of the Commissioners, that THE LAW WAS CONSTITUTIONAL, for the Court almply reaffirmed the doctring laid down In the fugues case, Thirt—Tho Commissioners explain this fatlure to ontorce by anying that the Legisiature falled to furalsh the necessary funds, but they never for tha pitrpose: but, an the that their “conservative pal= aly bringing on tho millennium, when sulta should be ne more. ‘Those reasons, ineorigruous and contradictory RS thoy are, the Committee deem 2 Builiclunt ex cuse far non-performance of duty. Tho minore ity have labored In ¥ain to reach such fm conn clusion.“ Wodo not belleve that the spirit and inteyt of the law were that the people of thin RtatG should be protected and defended ggalnet the extortions of these yreat corporations by i Mah tay of Quaker guus manned by non-com- mtAnta, Jn the Investigation just closed the righta of the Commissioners were tnost jeatously aad ably guarted, Eminent counsel defended thetn, tho United States Attorney for the Southorn District of Ulinols, togethor with the General Bolicitor of the Chicago & Rock Island Raslroud, aud the Inquiry was cootined within the ni rowent Hinita which tho Ingenulty of such emt. ent lawyers enuld fx. Objections of the moat Anieal charteter hedged the investition on every ride, and the Investigation wus conducted ‘upon principles almost as strict as would govern ft prosecution for 4 capttal offense. Under thexo rulings the Conmitice were not permitted to Inquire Into any violatzon of Taw except a4 to hauls which started and atopped in this Stite, Allele was digaitied by the bigh-sounding title of Inter-State commerce. Tois wua a rile ndopted by « majority of the Committes, which directly OVERRULED AND REVERSED the case of Pulk v4. The Chicagu & Northwest! ern Htallraad, deeided_in the United States Premy Court at its October term, 18:6, and re- wrted in4 Otto. In that case the Court used be following explicit lavguaga: © With the peo- pg or Wisconsin this Company bas dumestic re- tions. Incidentally these tay reach beyond the State. But certalnty until Congress under- takes to legislate for those who are without the State Wisconsin muy provide fur those witoln, even though It muy Indirectly affect those with- au It {9 proper, too, {n this connection, to refer to 8 statement put forward during this investiga- ton, that witoln tho last few years, under to mMutiazetment of this Bourd, the ayeruxe rite per ton per inile for Erelght in this State bas been reduced nbout balf a cent, making a saving Of $14,000,000, ‘This statement covers a very great {nlincy, 80 faras the peuple of this Suite are voncerned. Thy general average bas been res duced by nan lurge reductiug in through rates, in which tne peuple in this State bave onty an indirect interest, while in what are known as “abort biuls,” which siinply means all truille within this State, the rates remain prac- teally unchanged, ‘This 1s well illustrated In tho evidence taken by the Committee, which shows that the churges now made by tne leading roads on short bauls are still above the Cominls- sluners’ rates of eck If thls report abuil seem too lony, wo plend the greut importance of the question discussed, tn extenuation, We canot close our eyes to tho great evil of pooling. It of coursedestrosscom- petidon, end competition is one of tho precise objects to be ubtained ie he law against unjust diserimination. If that law were enturced and ompetition uliowed full play at competine points, the conscquent reductions would be abread along the entire Ifne of rod. Tn conelusion,we must say that it is rather tn. reasonable to us peat that the railroada of this State wiilobey the laws if those charged with the enforcement uf the laws thomselyes violite those Jaws and abdicate thelr most Important functions. Atlof which fa respecttully submitted. Sipnepith WALKER, A. MAYFIELD, LD, Witrixa, W. B, CALLOS, Epwarn LASINa, Minority of the Committee, The minority repuft was also accupteds and the same formalities solemnly complied with. Tt was generally supposed that there would be extended speeches on the two reports, but, to (be surprise of all present, not ove word wus safd, bewy merely for information, They were siinply accepted and ordered spread upon tho records, THE STANDING COMMITTERS wernallowed full scope. and for the next ten minutes therod was one perfect fusilude of bills which brd sufely puased tbe cummittee-room or been knifed in transit. Senator Merritt broke tbe monotony by mov- ing to print 10,08 copies of the mujorits and minority reports of tho Rallroad Comittee, and to distributy thom equally among the members of both Houses. Senator Fifer consulted tho group around bim and observed that there was sume talk of priut- ing the testimony, several busketfuls of which exlinly reposed on the Clerk's desk. He there: fore moved to defer und make the question & special order Tor to-morrow, ‘This precipitates long and unprofitable wran- gly betweon the rigbt and lett. Merritt claimed that the report and the testl- mony were two distinct mutters, A motion wns suticicut to print tho reports, buts resalution was necessary to provide fur publishing tho mony, Fifer argued that the testimony, or at least portions of {t, was properly # part of the ajar ity report, which Merritt tlatiy deuled. Calton referred to the miss af rubbish in tho testimony,—" the technical objections, ete,” and suid the members could conault the copy ta the husket with us mtich sutisfaction to them- selves and at vastly less expense to the State Ahan would be Incurred by its publication, Fuller was for printing the whole matter ond Ietting the people decide for themselves which eoticlusiog was the correct one; and so it wet for nearly an hour, untll tha question was toatty made the special order for 12 o'clock to- Morrow, about whicb time, 11s needless to say, nearly everybody wilt be Ina hurry to get away by the neon train, and the majority will rast throngh the scheme to saddle another Kizantte printing Dillon the State. i Maving decided this weizbty matter, the Sen- ate ndjourned tll to-morcow moruing, HOUSE. ALL OF A KIND, Spatial Dispatch to The Crteago Tribune. Srusarienp, UL, March 24.—The Committee on Education led off this morning with a batch of reports, (ucluding a favorable recommen: tion on Huckingham's bill to eccury uniformity dn text-bouke, DEAD AND LIVING. Tho Committee on Insurance calmly knifed Wood's bill ta compel tire-insurance com- panies to pay me full amount of tbe paley, The same Committees reported favorably on tho bill allowing Insur- ance Commissioners’ certificates that foreizn maringe-Insurance companies bave tade tho ree quired deposit {uy another State to bo taken Ip leu of a deposit in Utinots, SECOND READING, The House then tuok up the regular onder bilis on second reading,—and advanced a per hisher a DILL introduced ty the Judictary Com- mittee to provide for obtaining deeds for lands and lota sold for taxes and speclal assessment! alsv n bill, introduced by the sume Coninittee, reducing from eleven to seven years the time of issuing fev bills; also a Dill to make certain county reconis ang abstracts prima facie evi- denes of the entry of public lands; and auotber in the long and dreary series of bills to amend ‘the School law, MORE BLOOD, The next one ot the list was Sharp's litde mivisure for the benetit of the Pullmans,—toe DiI Axthur the foliowing tarifs on sleeping-cars: 21,40 for « lower berth, @1 for an upper, &.50 for Bavetion, and &40 for 4 stlatervouw. Rockwell, of Covk, moved ty refer it to the Judiciary Committee, inasmuch as thory was & constitudonal guestion tavolved. TUlings observed that that would probably Killtie bi, He didn’t want Ut kilted, and boped: tho motion would not prevail. abnd ft dido't,—by a largn majority. Yello offered uu wumendment providing for turning over the fines to the County, Instead of thy State, Treasury, Tho amendment was adupted, and the bill, thus amended, SLIPPED QUIETLY ALONG into tho stage of third reading without another whisper of oppysition. Noekwoll's bul Maniting the number of trials in tax vases; Chafeu's, waking it the duty of tbe Court, where a prisoner in Jall canuot pay the finw and costs, to Ax tho nyber of days be shall be required tu stay in Jall ae a certain price per day, the prisouer to have eodit upon bis tne ant costs until they ure thus pald; and the bili legaliatng thy dollcleucy taxes assesseat by tho Cty of Quincy to defray the expense of Hg btitur (he wlpeots witb gus during IQ went te thind reading without debate. TUE RAD WoN?r RUN. ‘Tho DIL to appropriate $40 for experiment> uur with vorebum-cane ty obtaly surat at the Wnvts Industrial Unlversity, at Uroana, met with conailerable opposition, Ulwin, of Vrawfund, mow tu strike out the eoucting clause, on the gruund that Ut was too lnty tomake any such experiwents now any way. Jow Mand poabpocded the hiva uf chemists pe fos tite the sugammuking business, sod ox- Piven bis prvlereucy for peuple af a mary Pructiyal Ginn of mad. CLS Cub, OF nd, showed Chat the Kegeut of tho Urbaua Vateersity didn’t ask for the apero- ettalion any’ Way, and obeery ed (hal iS wae WARDLY THE BUSINESS OF THN STATES to pay fue experiments whlyh should be coos ducted by orivate partes, 9 i a OO Tho enacting olause went out and tho bill Joined the pig caravan of dend moasuros. A Dill adding Decoratton-Dny to the Itst of lo- . xa) holidays, and # vory proper moaguro, intro= duced by Nichaus, of Peorta, to punish tho sells - Ing of coal and other products by FRAUDULENT TICKETS OF WRIGHT, Wero advanced to third reading without debate, A bill offered by De, Ifill, of Bloomington, to compol the itinerant eill-or-cure fellows to pay a monthly Hcenso of $100 to tho stato Roard of Health, brourht ta author to bis fect with w Matement of the wrongs Inilicted by the: quacks upon the human race, In winding up, he announced that be had a letter In his posses- sion which charged these men with having o lawyer in tho Houso, whose pockets were WELL FILLED WITIT PECUNIARY ARGUMENTS for the benefit of the members. . ‘There was a chorus of demands tokuow who made such a charge. ‘Tho Doctor explained that hodldn’t make ithimeelf, but that tt came from sumoboly who claimed to know. Joo Mann and Sexton advocated the passage of the law and bare down on the “DE IN ItUMAN SITAPR’” who practiced on the weakness and Inoredulity of tholr fellows, ‘The bit wna Nnally ordered engrossed fo third reading. pies A bill introduced by Harris, of Cook, to correct @ verbal error In theact in regard to Judements and decrees, and the manner of confirming tho same, went to third reading, withuut any fuss, TO PREVENT THK DESECRATION OF THE SADBATI, A bill was introduced by Mr. Morgan, the ven= erable Baptist minister from Moultrie, ta pre- vent the desecration of the Sabbath, and more especially to prevent borve-racing, cock-fght- ing, hunting and dating on Sunday, wee the noxt thing on tho list tv vex tho Leyistative mind. Tooruton, of Putnam, movad to strike out the enactiug clause onthe ground that tho Stato couldn't make men Cariatians “by statut.c”* Morgan defunded bis bill on the ground that, while tho Legislature couldo’t make men Chris- tlans, It could protect the right of those who were, Hts remarks, somewhat unexpectedly, Were Jn a eemi-humorous veln, and drew around itn 4 numberof the oidur us wellas tho younger Inembers Who were anxious to hear bim and bid to get near him to do it. Tha old guutleuiay bore down partteutuciy on tho prictice of duck-huottog on Sunday on the Wabash, und the julting crack of the rite and shotgun as it resounded through the peaceful and quiet haunts of Subbstn-loving citizens. When tho duck-hunters didn’t find duck, they aid even woree,— SNEAKED AKOUND TNE FARMERS’ + BARN+ YALDS and nipped stray chickens. Tho desecration and the chicken depredations were glant evils which ought to be reftoriued, Muay, MeWilhums, Herrington, Yancey, aod others discussed tho bill wt great fengtb and with a displsy of leyat and theological acumen that fairly autunished their bearers. Ali tho question tuvelved—constitugonal, religious, and otherwise—were worked upand warmed over until the whole subject was fairly churned over and overagain, The motion to strike our ue enacting cluuse was lost, more out of personal regurd for Me. Morgan than for bia bill, and the Measure cocumumitted tu the Committee on Judiclul Deportinent, who wilt probubly ave that it ts well tuketn cure of. ‘The House then adjourned until afternoon. THE LONGPENT-UP BILL FLOOD burst forth on reassembling in the afternoon, and a few more lute offerings were thrown into the cuontribution-box, suwuiigot Cook, introduced a bill for the pro- tection of foundiings. It provides thut pareuts witliully abandoning their children unuer tho axe of i year shull lose all right, cuntrul, or wuthority over them, and that the right and authority sball vest fa the person or institu tun odoptng them. In cuse of fflegittuinte children, or woere the futher of a legit. toate child shall buve willfully deserted bis fumily for une year, an stundoament by the mother isdeemed an abandooment by the parents, Abundoniment of children, whether by father or mother, 1s made a tnfsdemeunor Punisoawle bya nue of fot less than $v nor more than $24, or imprisoned for not less than six mouths or both, Phelps, of Cook, proposes to ADOLISIE THE LIFE PENALTY FOR MURDER, aud to make the term of tmprisonment from tea tu forty yeury, and to lx the penalty for man- slaughter ut anything not exceeding forty years. For rape be would fx the term at upywhere from une to” forty years, and for robbery, where tho nssaiant [s armed with 1o- tent, if reaisted. to Kill, for any term not to ex- ceed forty years, ‘The sume metmnber got after tho pawnbrokers: $n wv bill which dechires null and void all meme anda between thei ana the pledger purpurting to divest te latter-of title to the article “spouted.” It also requires them to publish in dally bewspaper at certain times in tho yeur & cumpicte und tctuiled stitement of all the ua- redevmed piedzes on hand, to give nutico to toe Pledger of the public sale thereof, and to obtala an pour from the nearest Justice permitting auch sale. TUE PENALTY re violation of the act is fixed at not less than es Ferrio, of St. Clair, sentup a bill making it perjury for an Assessor to swear that be has a essed property at the fair cush valye when U return ts false: also, uoe to appropriate £3,000 for one W.G, HILL, isjured at another soldierg’ reunion at Belleville. a Chandler, of Cass, wants wages due laborers or servunts for services performed far the dece- dent for the four months preceding bis death por RL tho seventh class of demands against estates. Collins, of Couk, introduced a bill to enable town jncorporated under a special charter to discontinue such incorpuration, Sexton, af Couk, tutroduced @ resolution to By Mivroslaw sky, Of Cook, $90 for expeased In councetion with the late cuntest for his ecat, Heforred to the Comuiittee on Coutingent Ex- penses, RESOLUTIONS. Kelly, of Perry, offered a resolution actting forth the fact that tho present system of raising aud collecting revenue {s burdensome, expen- vive, and greatly objectionable, and that the right to make Any Tadieal change under tho present Constitution 1s doubted, and providing tor the subinission to the people at the next ener sleeuion vf the fullowig umendment to At & Seo. bs ‘The General Assembly shall provide such rev- enty as muy be ueedful by levytog a tax by val~ uatton, or by asystem of lievnse, and on the gross receipts or earnings of busiaess, and may muke such changes frum time to time as may appear necesayry. “fhe resolution was referred to the Revenue Committee, ‘The House then got back to BILLS ON SECOND READING, and Shuto way's Lill to require educadonal qual ificutions of appilcunts fur diptutuas froin wedl- cal cuileges was pusted (o 8 toind reading. ADIN requittog State's Atioraeya to Keep a revord of criminal cases and the amount of tevs, Hues, and Corfettures collected uccasiuaed sone debate, but was finally seot to thind reading with #0 amenduient striking out of the proposed recurd the hames of periyas simply “enarged” with w critne. Wrivat's DL to provide for the holding of teacherw institutes for vot less than tive dare fu the year out uf thy fees reoviyed fur erantiug certiicates xut a tlerve blast from Jue Manu and Morris, whu fuoked upon it asin the interest of County School Supematendeats and weir hwe efluues snd sober, Cook and Chafes defended it, and pleaded for tenter cducation swoug the “schoulmards” theouch the proposed fnstitutes, Lut the vp- position tu It was tuo greit, and the eaacting clause was rutblesly stricken out, Tow farmers, wou remembered Cook's oo- slaught og Ube Sorgaum bul, were particulariy spry iu now QETTING BACK AT HIM ina way that be despised. Th Est villgent to ibint reading was one by Vaugbey, of La Salle, to allow appeals from the Appeluiy tu the Supreme Court te all oases where oor of the Suprewe Judyus shall aura an onler permitting Ut, and bi duck cased quesitups of law uluoe shall be sousiierds the Supreni Court, tu sbort, to regulate the appeal uldauey ADOUT ws They please, whied ts us it snould be, ‘The Greek people, who: fates to puss their scheiae for universal appeals, bare apparvotly takeu up Vaugbey's bi as about be Dest they Can yeh Thu afternoon sessiua was very pleasantly wound up when Lineyat, of Alexanuer, Use toa question uf privilege. prewcated Svedker ‘Thomas, oo behalf of the weuber uf the House, with w well-executed cravua purtnat oC Biuaelf, the work of a coluns! tian iit Springteld, The Speaker acvepled the silt 1p one of bia Dappived speeches, and tu closing exprovset thy bupe that nuthing would vcvur duriwg the remaiuder of Tho veasiun whled would Waa the weulbers 8 Tegeet thelr avdon oF wisd to Cake It back. Phe Hous iden adjourned untu to-morrow mouruug. AFPTERTHOUGUTS, THE KAILIOAD AND WARBHOURS NOMINEES Speed Lupaich ta Toe Casuy Trdens, USE UL, March 2h--A short seaiva Hate Warehouss Committee was bed Herneun for tbe purpese uf coushieriug: tho Goveruor's miewage Houivating Hogue, Satyr, and Rodiwon, the latter of woven Bas aly ready been bolstel UT Ibe teadyr books for Ratlroad and Waretouse Cugiuiasnocn The luveting Wad Yury bartuuatous and to every woe who has watched tho game i aguiied ump the begtunlng of toe wint, Scnator Cumpocil word that ie names of Rowue and Suuith te reprted tac’ to the Seoabe with the Revuuucadalon tat Ubey be cua~ Brak Seuatoe Waiting observed that Be soul toby foe South, Dut be was really a litte dubioua about Barua, ‘The ution wad ado DY w Toe OL Yves OH : t } { 4 d