146 ANNALS OF STATE GRAXGE OF CALIFORNIA. 



and executive branches of government without, in many cases, 

 being able to properly discharge the duties of either. 



Again, believing as we do, that the subject of freights and fares 

 of railroads should be controlled by the Legislature, their rights to 

 do so having generally been admitted under those pow r ers which 

 give the States the right to compel common carriers to establish 

 reasonable rates of freight or fare (the Supreme Court of Minnesota 

 has so decided, and the statutes of New York and Massachusetts ex 

 pressly declare it), we, therefore, propose that our Legislature at its 

 next session, do establish a uniform standard of fares and freights 

 on the railroads and steamboats of this State, which shall give a 

 reasonable and just remuneration for the distance traveled and 

 service performed. These rates to be conclusive and absolute, but 

 subject to revision at specified times by the Legislature, and that a 

 commission of three or five tax-paying citizens be appointed by the 

 Legislature, whose duty shall be executive and supervisory, to 

 whom shall be referred all matters of controversy growing out of 

 any illegal charges, or arbitrary and oppressive acts on the part of 

 railways or steamers, and who shall see that these carriers comply 

 with the requirements of their charters, and perform all the services 

 for which they were created. The commission would afford protec 

 tion and redress to every individual having dealings with the com 

 panies, without obliging them to apply to the courts at great ex- 

 s pense or delay. 



In order to secure more uniform and equal taxation, we recom 

 mend that the duties enjoined upon our assessors be more definite 

 and specific, and penalties be inflicted upon them when it can be 

 shown that they have made unfair or unjust discrimination in fixing 

 valuation or assessing land and property in the same locality, or 

 when they consent to receive any special favors from large property 

 holders or tax payers, even if it is but a railroad pass. 



We recommend that our representatives, both at Sacramento and 

 at Washington, be petitioned to interfere in our behalf, and redress 

 our grievances by carrying out the measures proposed, or if the 

 plans suggested are not practicable, or will not have the desired 

 effect, let them devise some other way by which taxation shall be 

 reduced and made uniform and equal; freight and fares be regulated 

 so as to prevent unjust discrimination and oppressive rates; addi 

 tional facilities for transportation be encouraged and built up, and 

 the agricultural and mechanical industries of our country receive 

 more fostering care from the heads of our government. 



Adopted, J. M. HAMILTON, 



T. H.MERKY, 

 G. W. HENNINCL 



The Committee on Irrigation reported as follows: 

 We find it impracticable at this time, even if we wished to do so, 

 to report the draft for a bill for presentation to the Legislature of 

 this State, providing for a general system of supplying water for 

 irrigating, mining, and other purposes. The draft for such a bill, is, 

 from the nature and novelty of the subject to be treated, a work dif 

 ficult in itself, and requiring, in its proper execution, a more accu 

 rate judgment, greater skill and a more thorough knowledge of leg- 



