Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-02-18
Tho New Ratlroaa renee Law.

Capt. John N. Opie, a member of the House OF
Delegates from Augusta county, has furnished
the SPECTATOR with the law passed during the
last session fthe Legislature entitled, AN act
to lessen the danger of travelling on railroads
and to require them to erect suit .ble depots and
to fence in railroad beds'-Approued March 18Th.
1884 The following is a summary of the several
sections of the law
TELEGRAPH MISUNDERSTANDING TRAINS.
l. Depots are to be established not less than
ten miles apart which shall be telegraph sta
lions. The arrival and departure OF each and
every train so soon as 1t leaves the depot is to
telegsaphed to the per erso 81 In charge OF run
by telegraph to prevent collision. The board
of public works is, however. authorized 10
grant permission to have such telegraph sta
lions, in special cases. at a distance over ten
miles. but not to exceed fifteen.
FENCING THE ROAD.
1t shall be the further duty f all such rail-
| road companies to erect or cause to be erected
along The lines of their respective roads, and
| on both sides of their road beds, through en-
| closed farms and lots. good and substantial
lawful fence, as defined by the act of assembly
now in force, which may be made of timber or
wire or of both, and keep the same In good re-
pair and for their failure to do so, they shall be
liable as hereinafter set forth.
CATTLE STOPS.
8. The said railroad companies, in building
the fences herein provided for, shall not OBJ
struct any public or private crossing, but shall
on each side of such crossing, and at all other
places necessary 10 keep stock from trespassing
| or entering the road enclosures, erect good and
sufficient cattle stops, and keep the sam in Or
der, to watch the fence shall be Joined: provid-
ed that in case of private crossings, the said
cattle stops may be dispensed with by the con-
sent of those interested therein. the said rail-
road company in lieu thereof. to build and keep
| in order good and subs antial gates for the ac-
commodation of the persons entitled to such
private crossings.
4. 1t shall be lawful for the said railroad COM
panies. after bu lding the fences herein provid-
| ed for, to remove and discontinue all cattle
stops along their respective roads, except those
| provided for in this act, and in lieu thereof.
the owners of contiguous lands shall have the
| right to connect and join their fences to those
| OF the railroad company at such points as they
may think proper.
LIABILITY UNTIL THE FENCING IS MADE.
/ S. Until the said railroad companies shall
have built the fences according to the
and compelled to pay the value of all stock kill
| ed, and damages for all stock injured, to the
owners thereof, to be recoyere ed according to the
provisions of law now in force. or which may
hereafter be passed, and in order to such re-
covery. 1t shall not be necessary for the claim
| ant to prove negligence on the part OF the COM
| pany or its officers and employees
FENCING REGULATION.
6. The companies are relieved of fencing In
an incorporated town and for !. mile from de-
pots in un1ncorporated town and villages. along
cuts are sufficiently steep to prevent the pass
age of stock, and where the company has paid
| the owner damages for making and keeping in
repair such fences.
PROTECTION FOR THE RAILROADS.
7. If any person shall walk or remain on the
track within one hundred yards of an approach
| ing rain. otherwise than in crossing said road
| at public crossing, he shall be guilty of mis-
demeanor; or ifany person shall purposely ride,
| lead or drive any horse, and other animal, up
on any railroad track or shall Intentionally
| arrange for any such animal to go upon any
railroad track. exceptin crossing from one side
| to the other. without the consent OF the rail-
road company, he shall be deemed guilty of a
| misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof
shall be fined not less than twenty nor more
than fifty dollars.
8. This section refers to fines for damaging
the fe ces.
| g. Penalties for distractions to the railroad
are provided for and they are required to place
| spark arresters over the mouth Of the SMOKE
stack OF each locomotive.
10. This act shall be in force twelve months
| after its passage.