The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-17
[GENERAI MATURING. 6s,J


AN ACT to authorize the construction of GER
tain bridges across the Mississippi river, and to
establish the same as post-roads.
Be it enacted By the Seaate and House Of Rspre-
Se'tatipeS Of the Dnttea States Of America IL, CON
oress assembled, That IL shall be lawful for The
Western. Illinois Bridge company, 1, co rporation
existing under the laws of the state of Missouri,
obuild bridge across the Mississippi river at thu.
city of uincy, Illinois, for the purpose crossing
persons and property, such as are usually crossed
on wagon-bridges; also TO lay on and over said
bridge railway tracks for the more perfect
connection of any railroads that are or
shall be constructed TO the said river at or
opposite said point, and that, when constructed
I'LL persons and property a, aforesaid, and al so all
trains of ali roads terminating aJsad river at or
opposite said point shall be allowed 10 cross said
bridge for reasonable compensation to be made
to the owners OF said bridge, under the liIni-
tatons md conditions hereinafter proyi
-ded and in of any ltigstioris Or alleged
Obstruction to the tree navigation Of said liver
the cause may be tried before the district court
OF the United States of any State in which any
portion OF said obstruction or bridge touches
and thai all railway companies desiring 10 lie
the said bridge shall have and be entitled 10 equal
rights and privileges in the passage of the same
and in, the use of the machinery and fixture,
thereof, and of all the approaches thereto, under
and uponsu terms and conditions as shall be
prescribed by the Secretary of. War upon
hearing the allegations and proofs of The parties
in case they shall not agree. y.s.is 75i,r-''e'G
"a SEC. 2. That said bridge may, at the option of
the com pany building the same, be built, either
as a pivot draw-bridge, or with unbroken or
continuous spans Procided, That if the said
bridge shall be made with unbi Oxen or continu.
ons spans, it shall not be of less elevation in auy
case, than fifty feet above high-water mark as
understood at the point of location, to the bot
tom chord OF the bridge; nor shallths spans of
said bridge be less than two hundred and tiftv
feet in length and the piers of said bridge shall
be parallel with the current of the river and
the main span shall be over the main channel
of the river, and not less than three hundred feet
in length: 41ad prorided also, That il said bridge
shall be constructed as pivot draw-bridge, the
sumo shall be constructed with draw over
the main channel ofthe river al an accessible and
navigable point and with SPINS of not less than
one hundred and sixty feet in length in the clear
aon each side OF the central or pivot pier of the
draw; and the next adjoining spans to The draw
shall not be less than two hundred and flfsy feet
if the proper location of the dra W over the chan,
mel will admit spans Of this width between il
and the shore, and said spans shall not be less
than thirty feet above low-water mark and NOT
less than ten feet above extreme higll-water
mark measuring to the bottom chord of the
bridge, and the piers of said bridge shall be par
allel with the current of the river: A,.d propided
also, That said draw shall be opened plomptlv
upon reasonable signal, for the passage Of the
boats whose construction shall not be such as to
admit of their passage under the permanent
spans Of said bridge, except when train. are
passing over the same; but in no case shall un-
necessary delay occnr in opening the said draw
during or after the passage of trains gH
SEC B. That any bridge constructed under this
act, and according to its limitations, shall be q
lawful structure, and shall be recognized and
known as a post-route, upon which, also no
higher charge shall be made for the Transmission
over the same of the mails he troops, and mu-
nitions of vi rof the United States, than the
rate per mile paid for their transportation over
the railroads or public highways leading to s. id
bridge, and The United States shall have the right
of way for postal telegraph purposes across said
bridge. al
SIC. 4. That said company may execute n
mortgage on said bridge, and issue bonds paya-
bic, principal and interest, in gold or United
SEC. 8. That the right to alter or amend this