New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-02-07
tu ISL LlObs
proved December ~ lS.cSo
GENERAL NAruRE-NO. !

GENERAL NATURE--No.
An act authorizing the construction oi fali,
road bridges across the Mobile river ana
other navigablc streams tributary 10 NC"
bile bav. in accordance with the acts oil
Che Legislature of the State OF Alabama,
and to establish, them a. post roads,
Be il enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives OF the United States o.!
America in Congress assembled, ihat tne
consent of congress DE. and the sam" II
hereby. gwen 30 the Mobile and Montgom'
ery Railroad Company to erect one ar more
draw bridges over the Mobile river and
other naygable streams tributary 70 Mobile
hay, ia accordance with the acts OF the
Legislature OF Alabama Incorporating sa!d
COMPANY: provided. that the said drlW'
bridges shall be so constructed as not TO
interfere with the free or to materially or
substantially Obstruct the tree navigation
ot said streams, beyond what Is necessary
in order to carry INTO effect the rights anu
privileges hereby granted: and IN case OF
any litigation arising from any obstruction.
or alleged obstruction. 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 provided also, that said draw
bridges shall be opened promptly. upon
reasonable signal, for the passage OF boats,
and III no case shall unnecessary delay oc-
cur in opening the said draw during OF atteg
the passage of rrains.
SEC , That any bridge constructed under
thi. act. and according to its limitations,
shall be q lawful structure. and shall be
known and recognized as post route, upon
which all o, no higher charge shall be made
for the tran5m issiOn 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 raLl-
yoads OK public highways leading 10 sad
bridges.
SEC. 3. That all railway companies De
string to use said bridges shall have and be
entitled to equal Tights and privileges IN
the passage Of the same. and IN ,he use OF
the machinery and fixtures thereof and OF
ali the approaches thereto under and upon
such terms and conditions as shall be pre-
scribei by the Secretary of War. upon hear
ing the allegations and proofs Ot the parties
in case they shall not agree.
SEC. 4. That the right TO alter or amend
this act so as to prevent or remove all ma
te1isl distractions to the navigation OF said
river by the construction Of bird yes IS here
by expressly reserved; and that any bridge
or bridges constructed under this act shal!
be built under and subject to such Tegula-
ton. for the security St the navigation OF
said river a. tho Secretary OF War shall!
prescribe: and the said bridges shai! be. at
all times. SO kept and managed as to offer
reasonable and proper means for the passage
Of vessels through and under them: and
the said bridges shall! be changed. az the
cost and expense Of the owners thereof,
from time 20 time. as Congress may direct.
so IA to preserve the free and convenient
navigation of said river: and tn. authority
70 erect and continue said bridges shall be
subject TO revocation by law whenever the
public good shall. in the Judgment OF Con-
gress. so require.
Approved December -, 1877,