Chap. 298.—An ACT to authorize Albemarle and Buckingham and Nelson
counties to purchase the toll bridge across James river, at Howardsville,
and to maintain and operate the same as a free bridge, and to issue
bonds for that purpose.

Approved March 16, 1910.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the coun-
ties of Albemarle and Buckingham and Nelson be, and they are hereby,
authorized and empowered to purchase from the Howardsville toll bridge
company the toll bridge now owned by said company across James river,
at Howardsville, Virginia, together with all the approaches, appurte-
nances, rights, franchises and privileges appertaining or relating to said
bridge now owned by said company, and thereafter to maintain and
operate said bridge as a free bridge, and, upon the application of one or
more citizens of each respective county, the respective boards of super-
visors shall, if deemed advisable hy such boards of supervisors, appoint
three commissioners from each of the said counties, who shall be free-
holders and qualified voters of the county so making such appointment,
and the nine commissioners so appointed shall together constitute a com-
mission, all or a majority of whom may act, and said commission shall
ascertain and report to the boards of supervisors of each of said counties
at what price and on what terms the said bridge can be purchased from
said company by said counties, and what sums will be necessary to be
appropriated by each of said counties for that purpose, and what sums,
if any, can probably be raised by subscriptions of private individuals,
firms or corporations for that purpose, and said commission shall like
wise inquire and report to said boards of supervisors the advantages anc
disadvantages that will result to said counties should said bridge be s«
purchased, and whether or not, in the opinion of said commission, it i:
advisable and expedient for the said counties to so purchase and main.
tain said bridge, and their reasons therefor. .

And the board of supervisors of either or all three of said counties
shall, if deemed advisable by such board, upon like application, appoint «
special commissioner, or commissioners, for the purpose of soliciting,
contracting for and collecting subscriptions or donations to be used in
aiding said counties in purchasing and paying for said bridge, and any
contract made with any such commissioner or commissioners for any such
subscription or donation shall be binding upon the party agreeing to
make such subscription or donation, and such contract shall be enforce-
able and collectable by suit or motion for that purpose in the name or
names of the commissioner or commissioners with whom the same is
made for the benefit of said counties, and said special commissioner or
commissioners shall not receive any compensation from said counties, and
shall report to the board of supervisors of the county by whom he or they
are appointed, and file with said board all contracts for any such subscrip-
tions or donations, and such subscriptions or donations may be made pay-
able at such time or times as the board of supervisors appointing such
special commissioner may direct; and the board of supervisors of said
counties shall have the right and power to use all such subscriptions or
donations, in addition to such sums as the respective counties may ap-
propriate, in purchasing and paying for said bridge.

2. After it has been so ascertained at what price and on what terms
said bridge can be so purchased, should the board of supervisors of
either of said counties determine that it is expedient and advisable to
purchase said bridge, it shall further determine what amount will be
appropriated by it for that purpose, and shall certify its action to the
board of supervisors of the other of said counties, together with the
statement of such amount as can be raised by subscriptions or donations
or that purpose, and should the board of supervisors of the other of said
ounties likewise determine that it is expedient and advisable to purchase
aid bridge, it shall likewise further determine what amount will be ap-
ropriated by it for that purpose.

3. For the purpose of raising the money, or any part thereof, to be
ppropriated by said counties, respectively, for the purchase of said
ridge, each of said counties of Albemarle and Buckingham and Nelson
s hereby authorized through its board of supervisors, to issue its regis-
ered or coupon bonds for the respective amount to be raised by each
ounty, or any part thereof, bearing interest at a rate not greater than
ve per centum per annum, payable semi-annually, which bonds shall be
ssued by the board of supervisors of each respective county, and shall be
igned by the chairman, and attested by the clerk of such board of super-
isors, and shall be in such denominations and payable at such time or
‘mes as the board of supervisors of the county issuing the same may
irect. And it shall not be necessary to hold any election, or to open any
oll to take the sense of the qualified voters of either of said counties on
the question of issuing of such bonds, but the same shall be issued as
herein provided without holding any such election, and without opening
any poll to take the sense of the qualified voters.

4. The board of supervisors of either, or both or all three, of said
counties, in addition to issuing such bonds, are hereby authorized and
empowered to use and apply, in purchasing and paying for said bridge,
any sum or sums, or any part thereof, which said counties, or either of
them, may have heretofore received, or become entitled to receive, or may
hereafter receive, or become entitled to receive, from any funds or moneys
heretofore or hereafter appropriated by the State of Virginia for the
improvement of public roads or bridges.

d. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent or in conflict with this act
are hereby repealed.