Chapter 245. to authorize the Batesville and Brinkley Railroad to build a bridge across the Black River in Arkansas
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CHAP. 245.— An Act to authorize the Batesville and Brinkley Railroad to build a bridge across the Black River in Arkansas.May 14, 1888. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Batesville and Brinkley Railroad Company may bridge Black River, Ark. That the Batesville and Brinkley Railroad Company, a corporation created and existing under the laws of Arkansas, be, and is hereby, authorized to erect and maintain a bridge across the Black River, in township twelve north, range three west, or at such point near said township as shall be selected by said railroad company for crossing said river with their railroad line, the said bridge to have a draw-span, so as not to *Proviso*.interfere with the navigation of said river: *Provided*, That any bridge, constructed under this act and according to its limitations,To be a lawful structure and post-route. shall be a lawful structure, and shall be known and recognized as a post-route, and the same is hereby declared to be a post-route, upon which also no higher charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, the troops, and munitions of war of the United States, or for through passengers or freight passing over said bridge, than the rate per mile paid for their transportation over the railroads leading to the 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 way across said bridge and its approaches for postal-telegraph purposes.
Sec. 2. That the plan and location of said bridge, with a detailedSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. map of the river at the proposed site of the bridge and near thereto, exhibiting the depths and currents, shall be submitted to the Secretary of War for his approval, and until he approves the plans and location of said bridge it shall not be built; but upon the approval of said plan by the Secretary of War the said company or corporation FIFTIETH CONGRESS. Sess. I. Chs. 245, 246. 1888.139 may proceed to the erection of said bridge in conformity with said approved plan, and should any change be made in the plan of said bridge during the progress of the work thereon, such change shall be subject likewise to the approval of the Secretary of War.
And there shall be displayed on said bridge from sunset to sunrise such lightsLights. or other signals as may be prescribed by the Light-House Board. Sec. 3. That Congress reserves the right to alter, amend, or repealAmendments. this act at any time; and that if at any time navigation of said river shall in any manner be obstructed or impaired by the said bridge, the Secretary of War shall have authority, and it shall be his duty, to require the said railroad company to alter and change the saidChanges. bridge, at its own expense, in such manner as may be proper to secure free and complete navigation without impediment; and if upon reasonable notice to said railroad company to make such changes or improvements the said company fails to do so. the Secretary of War shall have authority to make the same at the expense of said company, and all the rights conferred by this act shall be forfeited; and Congress shall have power to do any and all things necessary to secure the free navigation of the said river.
Sec. 4. That this act shall be null and void if actual constructionCommencement and completion. of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year, and completed within three years from the date thereof. Approved, May 14, 1888.