Whenever the operation of a valid order of a competent court or the Corporation Commission is duly suspended, according to law, the punitive provisions of this article shall likewise be suspended in their operation as to the transactions adjudicated in said court; and, further, any court having jurisdiction of an action brought by the state to punish for a violation under the terms of this article, shall not impose a punishment therefor greater than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) against any person or corporation, if it finds from the evidence that the violation was made solely with the object of testing according to law the validity of any of the provisions of this article, or of the order of any competent court or of the Corporation Commission, in any proceeding to carry out the provisions hereof.
R.L. 1910, § 4316.