The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-07-13
AN ACT to encourage Internal Improv

ments in the State OF Mississippi.
Section l. Be it enacted by the Legisla-
ture of the State of Mississippi, That the
state hereby grants and appropriates out
OF any money i'm the Treasury, not other
wise appropriated, To any railroad company
l.that has been or may be chartered by the
State OF Mississippi, which company has
not constructed any portion of its contem-
plated line of railroad at the passage of this
Act, but which shall hereafter construct i'm
hrst-clasS manner, with iron rails of not
less than tiity-siX 1861 pounds weight per
yard. twenty-five miles of its projected
line within the State. on or before the first
day of September, 1872, and shall construct
the remaining portion of SAID projected
line, its sidings and branches, or any part
thereof on or before the first day OF Sep
TENDER, 1875, in the manner as hereinafter
provided, the sum of four thousand dollars
per mile for each and every mile of its pro-
jected line sidings and branches construct
Ell in the manner and within the time here
inbefore provided.
Sec. 2. Be ft further enacted, That tie
Governor of the State is hereby authorized
and required to appoint three Commission.
ers, forming State Board of Railway Com
missioners, who shall serve until their sue
cessors are appointed. aud whose duty it
shall be, under the direction of the Govern
or, to examine into and report upon the
character and condition of all railroads,
availing themselves of the privileges and
shall receive a compensation of eight dol
lars a day each while actually employed in
the performance of their duties, and twenty
cents per mile for the distance Travelled in
performing said duty, which compensation
shall be paid by the railroad COMPANY, i'm
behalf of which the services are rendered
and before entering upon the duties of their
office they shall take an oath before an Off
Ger authorized to administer the same, that
they will faithfully discharge the duties
and trusts committed to them.
Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That when
ever any railroad company shall notify the
Governor of the State that they have con-
structed twenty-five or more miles of their
line, ready for operating,in compliance with
the provisions of this Act the Governor
shall forthwith direct said Railroad Com
misSioners to examine said line of construc-
ted railroad, and take such evidence, as they
may deem necessary, in respect to distance
and time of completion, and report to him
without delay the facts and conditions
thereof. And il said Board or majority of
them, shall report to the Governor that the
said Railroad Company has constructeda
certain portion of their road under and in
full compliance with the terms and condi-
lions contained in the preceding sections of
this Act; then in such case the Governor
shall notify the Auditor of the State to that
effect, and thereupon the said Auditor is
hereby empowered and required to issUe to
the said Railroad Company his warrant up
equal TO four thousand dollars per mile for
the whole length of road constructed as re-
ported by said Commissioners.
See. 4. Be it further enacted, That when
ever any Railroad Company, which shall
have constructed twenty-five or more miles
prior to the first day of September 1S72
and und Ter and in compliance with the pro-
visions of this Act, shall from time To time
as the work progresses, notify the Governor
of the State that they have constructed any
additional rnrrinn or of hair
sidings or branches. in section or sections
nor less than ten miles in length, and prior
TO September lst. 1915, in addition to the
length of road constructed prior to Septem-
Der Ist, 1872; then, and in each ease the
Governor shall forthwith direct the said
Railroad Commissioners to examine such
portions or sections OF road embraced in
said notices, and report the condition of the
same IN the same manner and form, as pro-
vided in Section three of this Act, in rela-
tion to the construction. examination and
approval of the first twenty-five or more
miles, and in each and every case, when the
said commissioners, or majority of them
shall report to the Governor that said por-
ton or portions of road have beed construc-
ted in full compliance with the provisions
of this Act, the Governor shall notify the
Auditor of this State to that effect, and
thereupon said Auditor is hereby empower
ed and required in each and every case TO
issue to the said Railroad Company. his
warrant upon the TREASURER of this State for
an amount equal to four thousand dollars
per mile for the whole length of road con-
structed, as reported by said Commission
ers.
Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That the
Treasurer of the State shall make.
payments of the warrants drawn by
the Auditor in compliance with
this Act out of any moneys in the treasury
not otherwise especially appropriated, and
a sufficient sum of money TO meet the re-
quirements of this Act is hereby appropri-
ated and set apart from the accrning reyen-
ues of the State.
Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That all
railroad companies availing themselves of
the provisions and benefits of this Act, shall
annually make payment into the State
treasury of a specific tax, as follows: For
every passenger transported on this line a
distance of fifty miles within the State of
Mississippi, and not exceeding one hundred
miles, the sum of five cents; for every pas
senger transported distance ofOne hundred
miles and not exceeding one hundred and
fifty miles, the sum of ten cents for every
passenger transported a distance of one
hundred and fifty miles and not exceeding
two hundred and fifty miles, the sum of
twenty-five cents and for every passenger
transported a distance exceeding two hum
dred and fifty miles the sum of fifty cents,
the full amount of all of which taxes shall
be paid for the period of ten years from the
date of the passage of this Act, and shall be
applied solely to the augmenting of the per-
manent school fund of the State.
Sec. Z. Be ii further enacted, That this
Act shall take effect and be in force from
and after its passage.
Approved, May ID, 1871.