Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-01-02

uLtll Iueu IL Will uoTuly w 81. any
one who will glance at a map a see,
however, how valuable that connec-
ton would prove to the c. q A.
THE B. & 8. W. AND L., L. & G
BRIDGE CHARTER.
l response to a request made by
Messrs. Robert Hale, James Went
worth, q. B. Russell and VIM. Jordan,
a committee appointed for the porpose,
Hon. VIM. Warner has sent Che follow.
ing copy of the charter granted by con-
gress to the B. s. s. w. and L., l.. s.
G.. railroads:
In the House of Representatives of the
United States, third session of forty
second congress.
An act to authorize the construction of
a bridge across the Missouri river at
or lear the City Of Lexington, in the
State of Missouri, and to establish it
as a post-road.
Be it enacted By the Senate and the
House Of Representatives of the
United States Of america IN Congress
assembled:
Section 1. That it shall be lawful for
any person or persons, company or
corporation, authorized by the general
or special laws of Missouri, and hav-
ing the consent of the Burlington &
Southwestern and the Lexington. Lake
s. Gulf Railroad Companies, to build a
bridge across the Missouri river, at or
near the City of Lexington, in the
State Of Missouri, and to lay on or over
said bridge railway tracks for the more
perfect connection of any railroads
that are or shall be constructed to the
sand river or opposite said point, under
the limitations and conditions herein
after provided. That said bridge shall
not interfere with the free navigation
of said river beyond what is necessary
in order to carry into effect the rights
and privileges hereby granted.
And in case of any litigation arising
from any obstruction, or alleged OBJ.
structiOn, to the free navigation of said
river, the cause may be tried before the
district court of the United States in
the district of said state in which the
bridge is located.
Sec. 2. That any bridge built under
the provision of this act may, at
the option of the company building the
same, be built either as a pivot draw
bridge,o or with unbroken or continuous
spans. provided, that if the said bridge
shall be made with unbroken and con-
tinuous spans, it shall not be of less
elevation in any case than fifty feet
above highwater mark, as understood
at the point of location to the bottom
chord of the bridge; nor shall the
spans of said bridge be less than two
hundred and fifty feet in length, and
the piers of said bridge shall be parallel
with the current of the river; and the
main span shall be over the main chan
mel of the river, and not less than three
hundred feet in length: and provided
also, that it any bridge built under
this act shall be constructed as a pivot
draw bridge, the same shall be con-
structed with q draw over the main
channel of the river at all accessible
and navigahle point, with spans of not
less than one hundred and sixty feet
in length in the clear on each side of
the central pivot pier of the draw; and
the next adjoining spans to the draw
h not be less than two hundred and
fifty feet, if the proper location of the
draw over the channel will admit
spans of this width between it and the
shore; and said spans shall not be less
than thirty feet above low water mark,
and not less than ten feet above ex-
IRENE high water mark, measuring to
the bottom chord of the bridge; and
the piers of said bridge shall be parallel
with the current of the river: and
provided also, that said draw shall be
opened promptly upon reasonable
signal, for the passage of boats, and in
no case shall unnecessary delay occur
in opening the said draw during or
after the passage of trains,
Zee. g.: That any bridge constructed
uhoer TINS act. and according to its
limitations. shall be a lawful structure,
and shall be known and recognized as
. post-route, upon which also no higher
charge shall be made for the transmits
sion e the same of the mails, the
troops, and the munitions of war of
the United States, than the rate per
mile paid for their transportion over the
railroads or public highways leading to
the said bridge.
Sec. 4. That all railway companies
desiring to use the said bridge shall
have, and be entitled to equal rights
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
prescribed by tho secretary of war,
upon bearing the allegations and proofs
OF the parties in case they shall not
agree.
Sec 5. That any bridge authorized
to be constituted under this act, shall be
built and located under and subject to
such regulations for the security of n av-
lgatlon OF said river as the secretary of
wal shall prescribe; and to secure that
object the said company or corporation
Shall submit to the secretary of war,
tor his examination and approval, q
design and drawings of the bridge and
piers, and a map Of the location giving
for the space of at least one mile above
and one mile below the proposed loca-
ton. the topography of the banks of
the river. the shore lines at high and
low water, the dlrec ton and strength
OF the currents at all stages, and the
surroundings accurately showing the
bed OF the stream, the location of any
other bridge or bridges, and shall fur
nish such other Information as may be
required for a full and satisfactory UNI
derstanding OF the subject; and until
the said plan and location of the bridge
are approved by the secretary of war,
the bridge shall not be built. And if
any change be made in the plan of con.
struction of said bridge during the
progress of the work thereon, or be-
fore the completion of said bridge,
such change shall be subject to the APP
prevail of the secretary of war; and
the said structure shall be at all
times so kept and managed as to offer
reasonable and proper means for the
passage of vessels through or under
said structure; and the sad structure
Shall be changed at the cost and ex.
pense OF the owners thereof, from time
to time as congress may direct, 80 as to
preserve the free and convenient nayi-
CATION of said river; and the authority
to erect and continue said bridge shall |
be subject to revocation or mOdiica-
ton by law whenever the public good
shall, IN the judgment of congress, SO
require, without any e OF CHARGE
to the United States.
Sec. g.. That the right to alter or
amend this act so as to prevent or re-
move all material distractions to the
navigation of said river by the con
struction of bridges is hereby express
ly reserved.
Approved March 3rd, 1873.
This act will be found in full in the
18th volume, United Statute at Large,