CHAP. 26.—An ACT to authorize the Norfo!k and Western rail-
road company and certain other railroad companies to make
and carry out contracts of consolidation and merger with and
into the Norfolk and Western railroad company.

Approved December 20, 1889.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That it shall be lawful for the Norfolk and Western railroad
company from time to time, with the consent. or approval
of a majority of its stockholders present at a general or
special meeting thereof, to make and carry out with any
other company or companies organized for or engaged in
the construction or operation of anv connecting line of
railroad in this state or elsewhere, a contract. or contracts
for the consolidation and merger of the capital stock,
property and franchises of such company or companies
with and into the capital stock, property and franchises of
the Norfolk and Western railroad company upon such
terms as may be agreed upon between them; and the
Norfolk and Western railroad company may issue shares
of its capital stock in exchange for the shares of such
company or companies at such rate as may.be provided in
such agreements, and power is also hereby given to such
other company or companies in like manner to make and
carry out such contract or contracts of consolidation or
merger; provided that the line of the road of the com-
pany with which the Norfolk and Western railroad company
may so contract shall not be a competing or parallel line.

2. The general assembly hereby reserves the right to
amend, alter or repeal this act at its pleasure.

3. This act shall be in force from its passage.
CHap 27.—An ACT for the relief of St Paul’s Protestant Evisco-
pal church, Haymarket parish, Prince William county

Approved December 20, 1889.

Whereas St. Paul’s Protestant Episcopal church, Hay-
market parish, Prince William county, have paid taxes on
their church property from the year eighteen hundred and
eighty to eighteen hundred and eighty-six, inclusive; and
whereas such property was exempted from taxation under
the laws of Virginia; therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That the auditor of public accounts be, and he is hereby,
instructed to refund to the trustees of said church twenty-
four dollars on account of state taxes erroneously paid
by them into the state treasury.

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