The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-05-22
AZ. act Relating 70 Telegraph Lnes Of the CO
faierrta iSlitss.

fedeTGts Sidtss.
SEC l. The Congress of the Confederate
States Of America do enact, That during the
existing wAr the President be. and il here
BY authorized and empowered to take such
control OF such OF the lines OF telegraph In the
Confederate States, and OF such OF tae Offices
connected herewith, as VIII enable him et-
tectusily to supervise the communications
passing through the same 20 the end that 10
comm unications shall be- conveyed Of the
military operations OF the Government, to en-
danger the success Of such operations, nor
any comm unication calculated 10 inlurs the
cause of the Confederate States, or 10 give aid
and comfort 10 their enemies.
SEC q The President shall appoint trust
worthy agents in such Offices and at such
points on the various lines as he may think
At, whose duty it shall be- 70 supervise all
commu nlcations Gent or passing through said
lines aud to prevent the transmission of any
communication deemed 10 be detrimental 10
the public service.
SgC. 3. In case the owners ard managers OF
said lines shalI refuse to permit sucn supervi-
sion, or shall fail or refuse 10 Keep up ana
continue the business on said iine., the Pres
ideut Is hereby empowered 10 take possession
OF the same tor the purposes aforesaid.
SEE. 4. The President shall, from une 20
time les Ne instruc tious 10 the agents or APP
pointees, and to the operators OF the various
lines. to regulate the transmission OF commu-
nications touching the operations OF the tioy'
ernment, or calculated TO affect the pubic
welfare.
S2o. s. That thS President, az his discretion,
nay employ the operators OF the iiues as the
agents of the Government, so that ia this,
in all other respects, there may be as iittl- in
reference with the business ana management
OF such lines as may be compatible with the
public interest.
Sgc. Q That the eompensa ton of the a.en Is
appuin ted under this act. where such ageo IS
are not officers OF ihe Company, and the ex-
pense attending the execu ton Of the proyis.
ions of this act, shall be paid out Of the
Treasury.
Sgc I That no communications in cypher
nor suigmatical, or other doubtful comm1a
cations, shall be transmitted, unless the per
con sending the same shall be known 10 the
agent OF the Government 10 be trustworthy.
nor until the real purport OF said conmun niea'
ton shall DO explained 10 said agent.
SEC S. That the President is hereby au-
thoTiZed whenever 1t may be found necessary
or advisable for the successful pros9cu tion of
the war, 10 extend existing lines Of telegraph
or make connections between the sttnei the
expense OF constructing such addition2i lines
TO be paid ont Of any money in the Treasury
not otherwise appropriated.
SEQ O. That all present and future ohcers
of the telegraph lines engaged Ia receiving
aud transmitting Ia Intelligence within the Con
fea crate States, shall. as soon IS pracueaole,
after the passage OF this act, or after tneir p
pointment take and subscribe before any Ju-
diciai officer of any one OF tue Coniedeiat ts
! States, the following oath; Il, A b, DO 80 l.
| emniy swear that Will support and maiataln
ths Gons titution of the tonfederats bta Zee OF
| America, and will not, know lngiY, directly or
Indirectly. transmit through the telegraph
| any communication or iniermatfea Calculated
| 10 intufa the cause Of ths Confederate State-s,
| or - gi We aid or comfort 10 their enemies
sBC. 10. That, If any person shall Knowing
| iY send or transmit any message or conmnAl-
| cosion touching the military opera tons OF Tue
| Government, Witnoat the same Dsing hrs'
| submilted 10 the inspec ton OF the agent o!
| the Government, or any message calculated
10 aid and promote the ca use of the enemies ol
the Confederate States, he shall Oa subject "a
| Indictment in the district Court OF the Con
| federate STATES, ana on conviction, shall De
| lined Ia a sum not lees than five hundred dol.
lars, and imprisoned for a term not less than
| one year.