Chap. 298.—An ACT supplementary to an act approved March 17,
1884, entitled an act to amend an act to incorporate the Virginia
Mineral railway company, approved March 6, 1880.

Approved May 18, 1887.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
the Virginia Mineral railway company is also authorized to
locate, construct, and operate a line of railroad between such
point on the New river division of the Norfolk and Western
railroad, or any branch thereof, and such point in the coun-
ties of Bland, Tazewell, Russell, Scott, or Lee, and by such
route as the directors may determine, and with such lateral
or branch roads or extensions as may from time to time be
required to afford transportation facilities to the public, and
reach the coalfields and mineral, timber or other operations
in said counties, or those adjacent thereto, or to connect the
said line with that of any railroad now or hereafter con-
structed in or to any of such counties; and the said company
may connect or unite its said road with that of any other
company, or consolidate or merge its stock, property, and
franchises with that of any other company operating or au-
thorized to operate a connecting line of railroad (not a com-

eting and parallel line therewith) upon such terms as may
be agreed upon by the board of directors of the companies so
uniting or connecting, merging or consolidating; and for that
purpose power is hereby given to it and to such other com-
pany or companies, to make .and carry out such contracts as
will facilitate and consummate such connection, merger, or
consolidation: provided that a copy of every such contract
of consolidation and merger shall be filed in the office of the
board of public works.

2. The Virginia Mineral railway company shall commence
work on the main line of the road authorized hereby, within
two years, and complete the same within five years from the
passage of this act, otherwise the powers bereby granted to
make further construction of any line of railroad hereunder,
shall cease and determine: provided that nothing herein con-
tained shall be construed to give to said railroad company
any exclusive rights or privileges which can be held or used
by*said company simply as obstructive to prevent the loca-
tion or construction of other roads.

3. All taxes levied upon the said railway company by the
State, shall be paid in lawful money of the, United States;
and this act sball be subject to amendment or repeal at any
time by the general assembly.

4, This act shall be in force from its passage.