Chapter 1.
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/statutes-at-large/vol-25/chapter-1-2576526·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 1.— An act to authorize the building of a bridge or bridges across tire Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wisconsin.December 10, 1888. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,La Crosse and Minnesota Bridge and Ferry Company may bridge Mississippi Hiver at La Crosse. Wis. That the La Crosse and Minnesota Bridge and Ferry Company, a corporation created by or under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, its successors or assigns, be, and is hereby, authorized to construct and maintain a bridge or bridges, for the passage of vehicles of all kinds, animals, and footWagon and foot bridge. passengers, across that part of the Mississippi River west of the main channel of said river at a point opposite the said city of La Crosse: *Provided*, That it shall not be lawful to construct said bridge or*Provisos*. bridges until the Secretary of War shall certify that the same willUnobstructed navigation. not materially obstruct the navigation of said river: *And provided further*, That the location and plan or manner of constructing said bridge or bridges shall be subject, to the approval of the SecretarySecretary of War to approve plans, etc. of War, and until approved by him the bridge or bridges shall not be built.
And there shall be submitted to the Secretary of War for his examination and approval, a design and drawing of the bridge, and a map of the location, giving, for the space of one mile above and one mile below the proposed location, the topography of the banks of the river, the shorelines at high and low water, the direction and strength of the currents at all stages, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, the location of any oilier bridge or bridges, and all other information required.
Sec. 2. That said La Crosse and Minnesota Bridge and Ferry CompanyTolls. shall have the right to charge and collect a reasonable rate of toll, not exceeding the amount limited by the laws of Minnesota or Wisconsin, and approved by the Secretary of War. Sec. 3. That this act shall be null and void if actual constructionCommencement and completion. of the bridge or bridges herein authorized he not commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date of the passage hereof.
Sec. 4. That any bridge or bridges built under this act and subjectlawful structure and post-route. to its limitations shall be a lawful structure or structures, and shall be recognized and known as a post-route, upon which no higher charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, troops, and the munitions of war of the United States passing over
(635)636 said bridge or bridges than the rate per mile paid for the transportation over the railroad or other public highway leading to said bridge; and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph companies; and the United States shall have the right of Postal telegraph.way across said bridge and its approaches for postal-telegraph purposes. Sec. 5. Amendment. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this act is hereby expressly reserved. Approved, December 10, 1888.