Chap. 92.—An ACT to regulate the trial of certain controversies
between the state and the Richmond and Petersburg railroad com-

pany.

Approved February &, 1884.

Whereas certain questions have arisen in regard to the
power of the state to impose taxation upon the property and
earnings of the Richmond and Petersburg railroad company,
and the said company having claimed and enjoyed an exemp-
tion from taxation, since its incorporation on the fourteenth
of March, eighteen hundred and thirty-six; therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
if the Richmond and Petersburg railroad company will agree
a case for submission to the courts, so that the question of
its liability to taxation on its property and earnings may be
determined thereby, the auditor of public accounts is hereby
directed to dixcontinue any action that may have been taken
against said Richmond and Petersburg railroad company, and
the attorney-general will proceed to take proper steps for the
determination of the question; and the circuit court for the
city of Richmond is hereby authorized to take jurisdiction
of, and decide such case as may be agreed between the said
company and the attorney-general on the part of the state,
in like manner and with the same effect in all respects as
if legal proceedings were regularly instituted by the state
against the said company.
2. Be it further enacted, That in any proccedings by, the
state, to determine the question of liability of the said Rich-
mond and Petersburg railroad company to taxation, when
any hond is required to be given by said company, no security
shall be required, but the bond of the company shall be taken
ane deemed sufficient for all purposes.

. This act shall be in force from its passage.