THE FARMER'S WAR AGAINST MONOPOLIES. 95 



The State of Illinois has undertaken to investigate 

 the management of its railroads, and to impose upon 

 the railroad companies a series of regulations for the 

 protection of the public. 



The new railroad law passed by the Legislature 

 of Illinois in May, 1873, directs the Railroad and 

 Warehouse Commissioners to prepare for each rail- 

 road in the State a schedule of reasonable maximum 

 rates; prohibits as extortion more than a fair and 

 reasonable rate to be charged for transportation of 

 passengers or freight, or for the use of track ; pro- 

 hibits as unjust discrimination any difference in the 

 prices charged for equal services of these three kinds 

 rendered at different points or to different persons, the 

 penalty being fines (recoverable in an action of debt, 

 in the name of the People) of $1000 to $5000 for 

 the first offence, $5000 to $10,000 for the second 

 offence, $10,000 to $20,000 for the third offence, 

 and for every subsequent offence $25,000, either 

 party having the right of trial by jury. Moreover, 

 the overcharged person may recover in any form of 

 action thrice the damages sustained, with costs and 

 attorney's fee. 



As may be supposed, this law gave great offence to 

 the railroad interest of the State, and every obstacle 

 has been thrown in the way of its execution. Indeed 

 the roads have steadily disregarded it. Governor 

 Palmer, of Illinois, in a speech delivered at Springfield, 

 on the 4th of July, 1873, said: 



" The last Legislature enacted a law for the govern- 

 ment of railroads in this State, which is a monument 

 of the patience and reasonableness of the people. It 

 merely declares that the railroads shall not charge for 



