The Hickman courier., 1868-05-09
THE NATIONAL TELEGRAPH Law.
4 y 4 or TO aid IN the construction of Tele-
graph Lines, and 20 secure to the Govern
nlent the use Of the same for Postal, Mill
tarY. and other nurnoses


I An ACT TO aid in the construction Of Tele-
/ graph Lines, and 20 secure to the Govern
ment the use of the same for Postal, Mill
! tary, and other purposes
! he it enacted bV the Se5lats and Housc II Rep
/ reseatatveS Of the United Sfates Of AnlerIca IN
/ Congress assembled, That any Tele graph com
paly now organized or which may hereafter
+ be organized under the laws Of any State in
! this Union, shall have the right TO construct,
maintain, and operate lines Of telegraph
/ through and over any portion Of the public
domain OF the United States, over and alon z
ans Of the military or post routes of the
United States which have been or may here
after be declared such by act of Congress,
/. and over, under across the nayieable
srrc1T TI7Tcs 0T fCTeEfaTh sLaIT bc 50 c0u-
( strueted and main tanned as not to obstruct
/ the nayigation Of such streams and ,yatrrs.
+ er interfere with The ordinary travel on
such military or post roads dud auv of
said companies shall have the right TO take
and use from such public lands the neccs-
sary stone, timber, aud other materials for
Its posts, piers, stations, and other ueedful
uses IN the construction, maintenance, and
I operation Of said lines Of telegraph. and
may pre-empt and use such portion of the
unoecupIed public Lands subject TO pre-emp-
tion through which lis said lines Of tele-
graph may be located as may be necessary
Tor II stations not exceeding forty acres for
each station; but such stations shall not be
within fifteen miles of each other.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That
telegraphie communications between the
several Departments of the Government of
the United States and their officers and
agents shall, in their transmission over the
lines of said companies have priority over
all other business, and shall be sent at rates
10 be annually fxedby the Postmaster GEN
eral.
Sec 8. And be it further enacted That the
rights and privileges hereby granted shall
not be transferred by any company acting
under this act to any corporation, sssoeia-
tion, or person: Provided. however, That the
United States may al any time after the ex-
piration of five years from the date of the
passage OF this act, for postal, military, or
other purposes purchase all the telegraph
lines, property, and effects of any or all of
said companies at an appraised value, 10 be
ascertained by FIVE competent, disinterested
persons, two of whom shall be selected by
the Postmaster General of The United States,
two by the company fnte eaSted, and one by
the four so previously Sc Wea.
See. 4. Aud be il further enacted, That
before any Telegraph company shall exer-
else any OF the powers or privileges confer
red by this act, such company shall lie their
written acceptance with the Postmas ter Gen
eral OF the restrictions and obligations i'm
posed by this act.
Approved, July oath, 1866.
Stock may now be subscribed in this COM
l parIy at their Office in the city of New York
: or Il 20S Main street. Louisville, KY.
q. all AUGUSTUS BARNES agent