Chap. 190.—An ACT for the Extension and Completion of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad.

In Force March 24, 1871.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railroad company may build and work a branch
of its road from any point on the main line, not east of Goshen
nor west of Covington, to a point on James river, in the city
of Richmond, or near thereto, in Ilenrico or Chesterfield
county, by such route as the company may select. The loca-
tion of this branch shall not interfere with the line of the
James river and Kanawha canal, or with its proposed enlage-
ment and improvement, and if any question shall arise as to
the interference of any proposed location, the board of public
works shall, upon the application of either party, determine it
between them before the construction of the railroad.
2. That the said company may build and work a branch of
its road from any point on the main line, not west of Staunton
nor east of Charlottesville, by such route as the company may
select, to a point upon the Potomac river in the city or county
of Alexandria; and should the said branch not run through
the city of Alexandria, then the said Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad company shall make a branch from said bransh to the
said city of Alexandria: provided, that the said company shall
not be required to construct the branch into Alexandria until
after it shall have completed the said main branch to the Po-
tomac river. .

3. That the said company may, if it shall find it expedient
build and work a branch of its road from a point at or near
the city of Richmond, down the Peninsula, between James
and York rivers, to such points not less than five miles below
West Point upon those rivers, or upon Chesapeake bay, as the
company may select.

4, If it shall be found in the location or construction of the
said branches, or either of them, that a railroad under construc-
tion, or for the making of which a company has been chartered
and organized, will interfere or be interfered with, it shall be
lawful tor the said Chesapeake and Ohio railroad company, by
contract of purchase, or consolidation, to acquire the owner-
ship of such roads or any of them, or to make such agree-
ments as may be found desirable in order to secure the use of
such roads, or the benefits of such charters, in furtherance ot
the purposes of this act. _ |

d. The several branches herein authorized to be constructed,
shall be liable to such taxation as may be prescribed by law for
other railroads subjects to taxation. :

6. This act shall be in force from its passage, and the work
of construction under it shall be begun within three years after
the opening of the main line of the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
road from the Ohio river to Richmond, and shall be completed
within five years after such commencement: provided, that
this charter shall be subject to any and all general railroad
laws which may at any time be passed by the general assembly
of Virginia.