New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-02-12
GENERAL NATURE-Nc. ~

An act Authorizing the construction of rail
road bridges across the Mobile river and
other nayigable streams tributary to Mo
he baC. III accordance with the acts OF
.he Legislature of the State OF Alabama.
and to establish them "a pOst-roads
Be I enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America N Congress assembled, Tnat the
consent Of Congress he, ard the same IS
hereby. gwen 70 the Mobile and Moptrom-
e~y Railroad Company To erect one or more
iraW-Drdges over the Mobile river and
ether pavigabie streams tributary to Mobile
bav, N accordance with the acts of the
Legislature Of Alabama Incorporating said
company: provided, that the said draw
bridges shal. be 50 constructed as not TO
interfere N.th the free or to materially or
substantially Obstruct the free navigation
Of SAID creams beyond what is necessary
~ order 30 carry INTO effect the rights and
privilege, hereby granted: and in case Gf
any Litigation arising from any obstruction.
or alleged obstruction. 20 the free naviga.
:Ion OF sad river, tho cause may be tried
hetoTe the district court of The United
States oil the State of Alabama in which
any portion Of said obstruction or bridges
tCuchts; and provided also, that said draw.
bridges shall be opened promptly, upon
reasonable signal, for the passage of boats,
al U AZ 10 case SuhIf unnecessary III llV IC-
e.: III nprhing the said draw during or after
lie passage of trains.
SEC. :. That any bridge constructed under
ibis ace and according 90 its lin tatI.na,
shal! be a lawful structure. and shall be-
known and recognized as d post route. upon
which, al-O, no higher charge shall be made
!or the transIn scion over the same of the
mails. the troops and the munitions of war
Ut The United States than the rate per mile
paid for the transportation over the rail
roads OF pgbHc highWays leading TO said
bridges.
SEC. 3. Thas ali railway companies de-
Slring 10 use said bridges shall have and he
entitled TO equal rights and privileges in
she passage OF the same. and in the use of
Che machinery and fixtures thereof. and OF
d.: ihe approaches thereto, under and upon
such terms and conditions az shall be pre-.
scdbed 10y the Secretary of War, upon hear.
ing Ihe alleg atoms and proofs Ot the parties
In case they shall not agree
SEC. !. That the right to alter or amend
This acf SO as 70 prevent or remove all ma.
:eIiai Instructions 10 the navigation of said
?iveE by tine construction of bridges IS heres
by expressly reserved; and that any bridge
~ bridges constructed unier this act shall
be built under and subject 10 such regula.
:iOns for the security u! the navigation Of
sad river as the Secretary of War shall
prescribe: and the saui BRIDGES shall be- at
all shines. 50 KEEP: ana managed as to offer
reasonable and pr.i,e! means for the passage
If vessels fhrou4.s and undeE them: and
the said bridges -Eall ta changed. at the
eos: and exi,-u.c Of the owners thereof,
from time :" lime. aS Congress may direct,
80 a. 20 preserve the free and convenient
lavigati = o: aaid river: and the authority
~ erect and continue said bridges shall be
subject 20 revocation by law whenever the
Il Il
gress, SO require
Approved December "a. 1872.