Chapter 236. to authorize the construction of a bridge across the Oconee River, in the State of Georgia
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CHAP. 236.— An Act to authorize the construction of a bridge across the Oconee River, in the State of Georgia.May 21, 1890. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Wrightsville and Tennville Railroad Company may bridge Oconee River at Dublin, Ga. That the assent of Congress is hereby given to the Wrightsville and Tennville Railroad Company, an organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia, its successors and assigns, and such other person FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
Sess. I. Ch. 236. 1890.117 or persons as may be associated with it to construct and maintain a bridge over the Oconee River, at or near Dublin, in the State of Georgia. Sec. 2. That the bridge shall be so constructed by drawspan orDrawspan or otherwise. otherwise that a free and unobstructed passage may be secured to all vessels and other watercraft navigating said river. That any bridge constructed under this act shall be built and located under and subject to such regulations for the security of navigation of said riverSecurity of navigation. as the Secretary of War shall prescribe, and to secure that object the said company shall submit to the Secretary of War, for his examinationSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. and approval, the design and drawings of the bridge, piers, and approaches, and a map of the location, giving, for the space of at least one mile above and one mile below the proposed location, the topography of the banks of the river, the shore lines at high and low water, and the direction and strength of the currents at all stages, and the soundings accurately showing the bed of the stream, and the location of other bridge or bridges, wharves, landings, or ferries, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and until said plan and location of the bridge are approved by the Secretary of War, the bridge shall not be built, and after such approval by the Secretary of War, the approved plans and designs for the bridgeChange of plans. shall not be deviated from or added to, either during the construction or after the completion of the bridge, until the proposed change shall have been submitted to the Secretary of War and received his approval; and the said bridge shall be at all times so kept and managed as to offer reasonable and proper means for the passage of vesselsPassage of vessels. through or under said bridge; and if said bridge be built with a draw, said draw shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signalOpening of draw. for the passage of boats, and the said company or corporation shall maintain at its own expense, from sunset until sunrise, such lightsLights, etc. or other signals on said bridge as the Light House Board shall prescribe; and if at any time the navigation of said river shall in any manner be obstructed or impaired by the bridge authorized by thisObstructed navigation. act to be constructed, the Secretary of War shall have authority, and it shall he his duty to require said company to alter and changeSubsequent changes. the said 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 company to make such change or improvements, the said company fails to do so, the Secretary of War shall have authority to make the same, and all the rights conferred by this act shall be forfeited, and Congress shall have power toForfeiture of rights.Free navigation.*Proviso*.No modification, etc., of existing law. do any and all things necessary to secure the free navigation of the river: *Provided also*, That nothing in this act shall be so construed as to repeal or modify any of the provisions of law now existing in reference to the protection of the navigation of rivers, or to exempt this bridge from the operations of the same.
Sec. 3. That any bridge built under this act and subject to itsLawful structure and post-route. limitations shall be a lawful structure, and shall be recognized and known as a post-route, upon which also no higher charge shall beTransportation charges. made for the transmission over the same of the mails, the troops, and the munitions of war of the United States, or passengers or freight over said bridge, than the rate per mile paid for the transportation over the railroads or public highways leading to said bridge: and they shall enjoy the rights and privileges of other post-roads of the United States.
And equal privileges in the use of saidUse by telegraph companies. bridge shall be granted to all telegraph companies, and the United States shall have the right of way across said bridge and its approachesPostal telegraph. for said postal telegraph purposes. Sec. 4. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this act is herebyAmendment, etc. expressly reserved, and the right to require any changes in said structure, or its removal, at the expense of the owners thereof, when-Structural changes. 118FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
Sess. I. Chs. 236, 270, 271. 1890. ever the Secretary of War shall decide that the public interest requires it, is also expressly reserved. Sec. 5. Commencement and completion. That this act shall be null and void if actual construction of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date thereof. Approved, May 21, 1890.