An act to amend chapter 202 of the laws of 1874 & 5 to protect the states interest in Railroads

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Sec. 1. That chap. 202 of laws of 1874 & 5 be amended as follows by adding the following sections:
The Governor of the State is authorized and empowered whenever he may think the public service requires it to have the affairs of any railroad in which the State has an interest, investigated by a member of the board of internal improvements and to take such action concerning any matter reported upon as the board of internal improvements may deem to the interest of the State.
Sec. 2. The members of the board of internal improvements appointed for the investigation mentioned in Sec. 1 shall have power to administer oaths, send for persons and papers and all powers granted to a committee of investigation appointed by the General Assembly.
Sec. 3. Sheriffs shall execute writs of such member of board of internal improvements as they would for judicial officer of the State and shall be allowed the same compensation therefor. Any person failing or refusing to obey any summons of or to answer questions when required so to do by such members of the board of internal improvements shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the judge of the Superior Court of this State before whom his case may be brought. 
This act shall be in force from and after its ratification.

Ratified the 14th day of March 1879