CHAP. 62.—An ACT ta reeulate the collection of charges for traus-
portation by canal, steambuat, and railroad companies.

Approved April 2, 1879.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That any steam-
boat, canal, or railroad company doing the business of a com-
mon carrier within the limits of the state shall, at the time of
the delivery of any freight shipped or transported over the line
of such company, furnish to the owner or consignee thereof, or
the agent of such owner or consignee, a bill plainly stating the
class to which said freight belongs, the weight thereof, and the
rate charged for transporting the same.

2. Any steamboat, canal, or railroad company that shall fail
or refuse to deliver to the consignee a bill, as hereinbefore
required, when the freight is delivered, shall forfeit three times
the amount of the said freight charges, to be recovered, upon
motion, before any justice of the peace or court of the county
or corporation wherein the freight is delivered. Jf any snch
company shali fail or refuse to furnish said bill as hereinbefore
required, the said company shall not have the right to receive
any charges for transporting such freight, and shail not have
the right to retain the same; and if the said company shall
receive said charges without furnishing said bill, the same may
be recovered by warrant or suit before xny justice or court of
the county or corporation wherein the freight is delivered hav-
ing jurisdiction of like amounts in any civil preceeding.

3. Any officer or agent of such company so receiving said
charges of transportation without furnishing such bill, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof
shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars.

4, It shall be the duty of the railroad commissioner, upon
the passage of this -act, to furnish to the superintendent of
each railroad, and to the president of each steamboat and canal
company doing business in this state as aforesaid, a copy of
this act.

5. This act shall be *n force on and after July first, eighteen
hundred and seventy-..ine.