New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-02-01
GENERAL NAruRE-No. ,. !

An act authorizing the construction OF rail
road bridges across the Mobile river and
other naVigaOle streams tributary TO Mo
bile bay, in accordance with the acts OF
the LEGISLATURE of the State OF Alabama,
and to establish them as post-roads.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House OF
Representatives OF the United States OF
America in Congress assembled, That the
consent OF Congress be, aud the same Is
hereby, given to the Mobile and MOutgOm-
ery Railroad Company to erect one or more
draw-bridges over the Mobile river and
other navigable streams tributary to Mobile
hav, 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 to
interfere with the free or to materially or
substantially Distract the free navigation
of said streams, beyond what is necessary
in order to carry INTO effect the rights and
privileges hereby granted; and in ease 81
any litigation Arising from any obstruction,
or alleged UbStrGctOn, to the free naVlga-
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 prov ided also. that said draw
bridges shall be opened promptly, upon
reasonable signal, Tor 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 = That any bridge constructed under
| ghe act. and according to its Imitatons,
| shall be lawful structure, and SHALL be
| known and recognized as post route, upon
which, also, no higher charge shall be made
| fog che transmission over the same Of the
mails, the troops and the munitions of Wal
o$ the United States than the rate per mile
! paid for the Transportation over the rail
! roads OF public highways leading to said
| bridges.
SEC. 3. That all railway companies de
| siIng to use sand bridges shall have and be-
! entitled to equal tights and privileges IN
| the passage of the same. and in the use o
the machinery and fixtures thereof and Of
| all the approaches thereto, under and uvor
! such terms and conditions as shall be pre-
ecribed by the Secretary of War, upon hear
| ing the allegations and proofs OF the parties
in case they shall not agree.
SEC. 4. CHAT the right 10 alter or amend
| Sl6ls ac6 so as to prevent or remove al ma
! telial distractions to the navigation Of saiG
| 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 to such regula
! tons for the security ct the navigation o.
SAID river as the Secretary Of War shall
! prescribe; and the said bridges shall ba, al
| all times, So kept and managed as to osiel
| reasonable ard proper means for the paesaeC
| Of vessels through and under them: aui
| the said bridges shall be changed, at tia
cost and expense OF the owners thereof
| from time 10 time, as Congress may direct
! so a. 20 preserve the free and convenient
navigation Of said river: and the authority
| to erect and continue said bridges shall b.
! subject so revocation by law whenever the
public good shall, in tie judgment Of Cor
| gresa, so require.
! Approved December q, 1872.