Chapter 67. To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River, in the county of Aitkin, State of Minnesota
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CHAP. 67.— An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River, in the county of Aitkin, State of Minnesota.March 23, 1896. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,*Aitkin County, Minn., may bridge Mississippi River. That the county of Aitkin, in the State of Minnesota, is hereby authorized and empowered to erect, establish, and maintain, or authorize the erection, establishment, and maintenance of a wagon bridge across the Mississippi River at a point suitableLocation. to the interests of navigation from a point on the northerly bank of said river on or near the boundary line between sections twenty-three and twenty-four, township forty-seven north, of range twenty-seven west of the fourth principal meridian, in said county, so as to connect with the opposite shore of said river; 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.
Sec. 2. ThatDrawbridge. the bridge under this Act shall be constructed as a pivot drawbridge, with the draw over the main and at right angles to the axis*Proviso.*Opening draw. of the channel: *Provided,* That the said draw shall be opened promptly on reasonable signal for the passage of boats, vessels, and other water craft whose construction shall be such as not to admit of their passage under said bridge. Sec. 3. ThatLawful structure and post route. any bridge constructed under this Act and according to its provisions and conditions shall be a lawful structure, over which may be transmitted the mails, troops, and munitions of war of the United States free of charge; and the United States shall have the rightPostal telegraph.Secretary of War to approve plans, etc. of way for postal-telegraph purposes across said bridge.
Sec. 4. That the structure herein authorized shall be built and located under and subject to such regulations for the security of the navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall prescribe, and to secure that object the corporation named shall submit 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 shore lines at high and low water, the direction and strength of the current, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, and shall furnish such other information as shall be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and said bridge may be commenced and built as soon as the said plans and location of the bridge are decided by the Secretary of War to be such as will not materiallyChanges. affect the interest of navigation; and should any change be made in the plan of said bridge during the progress of construction,FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Sess. I. Chs. 67, 73, 74. 1896.75 such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War; and the said structure shall at all times be so kept and managed as to offer reasonable and proper means for the passage of vessels through or under said structure; and for the safety of vessels passing at night there shall be displayed on said bridge, from the hours of sunset to sunrise, such lights as may be prescribed by the Light-House Board;Lights, etc. and the said structure shall be changed or removed, at the cost and expense of the owners thereof, from time to time, as the Secretary of War may direct, so as to preserve the free and convenient navigation of said river; and the authority to erect and continue said bridge shall be subject to revocation and modification by law when the public good shall, in the judgment of Congress, so require, without any expense or charge to the United States.
Sec. 5. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is herebyAmendment, etc. expressly reserved. Sec. 6. That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction ofCommencement and completion. the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within six months and completed within two years from the date thereof. Approved, March 23, 1896. Chapter 73: To regulate the issue and recording of the commissions of officers in several of the Departments. 29 Stat. 75 1896-03-28 Chapter 73 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
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Chapter 67
To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River, in the county of Aitkin, State of Minnesota
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