VANT

Under this act of 1875 (38 and 39 Vict. c. 90), justices of the peace have juris- diction in many cases where questions arise as to the rights or liabilities of either party to a contract of service, and County Courts also have jurisdiction in some of those matters. But this act does not apply to domestic or menial servants. Byrne.

LABORER, (defined). 34 Cal. 302; 82 Pa. St. 469. (who is). 5 How. (N. Y.) Pr. 454; 5 Binn. (Pa.) 169; 4 Best & S. 927. 77 Pa. St. 107. (who is not). 39 Mich. 47, 594; 38 Barb. (N. Y.) 390; 24 N. Y. 481; 81 N. C. 340; (equivalent to "employé"). 3 Stew. (N. J.) 590. 4 Com. T. 219. 124. (in an indictment applied to a female). Dig. 666 η. (in lien law). 77 Pa. St. 107; 2 Utah (in a statute). 24 N. Y. 482; 8 East LABORER OR SERVANT, (in a statute). 16 Hun (N. Y.) 186, 188. LABORER OR WORKMAN, (in mechanics' lien law). 84 Pa. St. 168; 24 Am. Rep. 189. LABORERS, (in railroad charter). 5 How. (N. Y.) Pr. 454.

A railroad company operating its road through the streets of a populous city is bound to observe extraordinary precau- tions for the safety of the public, particu- larly at street crossings; 40 La. Ann. 810; 70 Tex. 126; 84 Va. 63; 85 Ky. 224. It is the duty of the company to use on its cars, etc., all the modern improve- ments in machinery commonly used; 65 Barb. 92: 76 N. C. 454; 83 Ala. 518; 76 Ia. 387. Express business. Railroad companies are not required to transport the traffic of independent express companies over their lines in the manner in which such traffic is usually carried; or to do more as express carriers than to provide the public at large with reasonable express accom- modation. They need not furnish all ex- press companies equal facilities on their passenger trains; 117 U. S. 1; Miller and Field, JJ., dissenting; 70 Cal. 169; 57 Fed. Rap. 673; 43 N. J. Eq. 77. But it has been held that they may be compelled to admit the agents of express companies on their trains, with their safes; 6L. R. A. (N. C.) 271. And an early case held that a con- tract giving exclusive privileges to one ex- press company is void; 2 Phila. 107; and in Maine a statute provides for equal facilities to all; 81 Me. 92. It has been held that a railroad company cannot as- sume the exclusive right of carrying on the express business over its own lines; 4 Fed. Rep. 481; but this was decided prior to the case in 117 U. S. 1, supra. See EXPRESS COMPANIES; FACILITIES. The exclusive grants to railroad com- panies are to be strictly construed in favor of the corporation, and liberally expounded in favor of public rights and interests; 11 Pet. 420; 13 How. 71; 1 La. Ann. 253. The power to build a railroad includes the power to build switches; 56 Pa, 825; but all customers have not an equal right to have switches built for them. 31 U. S. App. 252. An act providing that a carrier accept- ing goods for transportation over connect- ing lines assumes an obligation for their safe carriage to the point of destination, etc., is not a regulation of interstate com- merce, but establishes a rule of evidence and does not conflict with the United States constitution touching interstate commerce; 169 U. S. 311. But a carrier is not liable beyond its own lines, unless its liability be established by clear evidence; 155 U. S. 333. See СоMMON CARRIERS. A railroad corporation is a person within the fourteenth amendment declaring that no state shall deprive any person of prop-

See Vaunt. [Obs.]

Pronunciation spelling of want.