Chap. 254.—An ACT to incorporate the Northern Neck telegraph com-
pany.

Approved May 16, 1887.
6

1. Beit enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
R. J. Washington, W. H. Fairfax, R. M. Mayo, W. A. Jones,
R. C. Wellford, R. H. Lyell, L. T. Smith, L. Cockrell, John
C. Ewell, and John A. Palmer, together with such other per-
sons as may become stockholders, their associates and suc-
cessors, be and they are hereby created and constituted a body
corporate by the name of the Northern Neck telegraph and
telephone company, by which name it shall have perpetual
succession, © common seal, may sue and be sued, contract
and be contracted with, have and own property necessary for
its purposes, real and personal, and shall have all the rights
and privileges of a corporation under the general laws of the
State of Virginia, and be subject to all the rules and regula-
tions and restrictions imposed by the laws of this State so far
as applicable to said corporation and not inconsistent with
the provisions of this act.

2. The said corporation is created for the purpose of con-
ducting the telegraph or telephone business, or both, as may
hereaftcr be determined upon by the board of directors to be
selected as hereinafter provided, and is authorized to erect,
keep, and own such line or lines of wire and telephone or
telegraph fixtures and apparatus as may be necessary for its
purposes, from the city of Fredericksburg, through the coun-
ties of Stafford, King George, Westmoreland, Richmond, Lan-
caster, and Northumberland, to Carter’s creek, in the county
of Lancaster, with a branch line to a point on Cockrell’s
creck, at or near Fairport, in Northumberland county, with
branch lines to any point or points in each and any of said
counties.

3. Tho said corporation shall have power to acquire, pur-
chase, own, hold, and enjoy all real estate, easements, privi-
leges, and franchises necessary for the safe and convenient
erection, support, and maintenance of its lines and the con-
duct of its business; and may place and keep its posts and
erect its wires thereon on and along any of the public high-
ways in each and all of said counties: provided the same be
placed so as not to obstruct the same.

4. The capital stock of the company shall be not less than
five thousand dollars nor more than fifty thousand dollars,
to be divided into shares of twenty-five dollars each; cach
share to be entitled to one vote at all stockholders’ meetings.

5. The officers of the said company shall be a president
and secretary and treasurer, to be elected by the board of
directors; and a board of electors of not leas than five to be
elected by the stockholders in general meeting. The diree-
tors shall make suitable by-laws for the government of the
corporation.

6. All taxes when assessed and all other taxes due the
State, shall be paid in currency of the United States and not
in coupons.

7. The liability and resposibility of the stockholders of
said company shall be only to the extent of the stock held
and paid for by them and for no more and to no greater ex-
tent.

8. The said company shall have the exclusive privileye of
constructing, maintaining, and operating a telegraph or tele-
phone line through the counties named in this act tor twenty
years: provided a telegraph or telephone line is constructed
as herein provided within the next two years.

9. This act shall be in force from its passage.