New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-01-31
GENERAL %AYURE-@o. 81

Az act authorizing the construction OF rail
road bridges across the Mobile river and
other nayigable streams tributary to Mo
bile bav, in accordance with the acts of
the Legislature of the State or Alabama,
and to establish them as postroads.
Be it enacted by the senateand House OF
Representatives Of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That the
consent Of Congress be, and the Same is
hereby, given to the Mobile and Montgom-
cry Railroad Company to erect one or more
draw bridges over the Mobile river and
other navlgable streams tributary to Mobile
bay, in accordance with the acts of the
Legislature of Alabama Incorporating said
company; provided, that the said draw
bridges shall be so constructed as not 20
interfere with the FREQ or to materially or
substantially Obstruct the free navigation
OF said streams, beyond what is necessary
IN order co carry INTO effect the rights and
privileges hereby granted; and in case of
any litigation arising from any obstruction,
or alleged OBSTRUCTION, to the free naviga-
ton OF said river, the cause may be tried
before the district court of the United
States of the State of Alabama in which
any portion Of said obstruction or bridges
touches; and provided also, that said draw
bridges shall be opened promptly, upon
| reasonable signal, for the passage of boats,
and in no case shall unnecessary delay oc
cur in opening the said draw during or after
| the passage of trains.
SEC 9 That any bridge constructed andsr
| this act, and according TO its limtaucns,
| shall Do a lawful structure, and shall be
known and recognized as post route, upon
| which, a4s O. no higheS charge shall be made
h for the transmission over the same of the
| mails, the troops and the munitions of war
| of the United States than the rate per mile
| paid for the transportation over the rail
| roads or public high waye leading to said
! bridges.
! SEC. 3. That all railway companies de-
! string to use said bridges shall have and DO
entitled to equal sights and privileges in
| the passage OF the same, and in the use of
| the machinery and fixtures thereof, and OF
| all the approaches thereto, under and upon
| such terms and conditions as shall be pre-
seribed by the Secretary of War, upon hear
| ing the 9llegat and proofs OF the parties
| in case shey shall rot agree.
SIC. 4. That the right 10 altep OF ameQd
| Shis act so as 60 prevent or remove ell ma
| teIial distractions TO abe navigation of said
| river by the construction of bridges is here
| by expressly reserved; and that any bridge
| or bridges constructed under this act shall
| be built under and subject go such r@gula-
! lions for the security ct the navigation of
said river as the Secretary of War shall
| prescribe; and tho said bridges shall be. at
all times, go kept and managed as TO oter
reasonable and proper means foE the passage
Of vessels through and under them; snd
she said bridges shall be changed, at the
! cost and expense OF the owners thereof,
from time 30 time, as Congress may direct,
| SO az 20 preserve the free and convenient
navigation of said river: and the authority
20 erect and continue said bridges shall be
subject to revocation by law whenever tho
| public good shall in tho Judgment cd Gors
gress 80 require.
Approved December "a, 1872.