CHAP. 278.—An ACT to authorize the Norfolk and Western rail-
road company and certain other railroad companies to make
and carry out cootracts for the purchase by the Norfolk and
Western railroad company of connecting lines of railroads.

Approved February 18, 1890.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That it shall be lawful for the Norfolk and Western rail-
road company from time to time, with the consent and
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 or en-
gaged in the construction or operation of any connecting
line of railroad in this state or elsewhere, a contract or.
contracts for the purchase of such connecting line of rail-
road, upon such terms as may be agreed upon between
them; and power is also hereby given to such other com-
pany or companies in like manner to make and carry out
such contract or contracts of sale: provided, that the line
of the road of the company 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 ini force from its passage.

CaP. 279.—.1n ACT to incorporate the Bertha mining and im-
provement company.

Approved February 18, 190.

1. Be it enacted by the general asSembly of Virginia,
That S. R. Crockeit, E. Gaujot, F. J. Chapman, J. G.
Brown, and D. S. Pierce, and their associates and succes-
sors, be, and they are hereby, constituted and made a body
politic and corporate by the name and style of the Bertha
mining and improvement company, and by that name and
style shall have all the privileges, rights, and powers con-
ferred by, and be subject to, all the provisions of the gén-
eral laws of this state in reference to corporations and
chartered companies, so far as the same may be applicable
to, and not inconsistent with, the provisions of this act.

2. The capital stock of this company shall not be less
than twenty thousand dollars, and shall be divided into
shares of one hundred dollars each, and the amount of
the same may be increased from time to time by the board
of directors, and such board may issue shares of stock
and sell the same at such price as may be fixed and agreed
to by them. Subscriptions to the capital stock of said
company may he paid for in money or any other property
at such prices as the board of directors may deem hest,
and said board is authorized to issue shares of stock to
represent enhanced value of its property: provided, that
the maximum amount of the capital stock of said com-
pany shall at no time exceed the amount of one million
dollars.

3. The first meeting of the corporators herein named
shall be in the town of Wytheville, Virginia, as soon as a
majority of the corporators may convene; and upon the
minimum amount of the capital stock being subscribed
for or taken, then such meeting, if attended by a majority
of said corporators, shall constitute the first general meet-
ing of such stockholders; and the general annual meet-
ing of such stockholders shall be held annually there-
after in said town of Wytheville, Virginia, or at such
other time or place as may be appointed by said stock-
holders in general meeting; and the principal office of
said company shall be in said town or city, or at such
other place as the stockholders may in general meeting
appoint.

4. No stockholder shall be held liable on account of his
stock further than for any unpaid subscription he may
owe thereon.

5. The board of directors shall consist of five members,
who shall from their number choose a president, and said
board may also appoint such officers and agents as they
may deem necessary or proper, but the stockholders may
in general meeting increase the number of such directors.

6. The said company is authorized and empowered to
mine and quarry coal, iron, and other mineral substances,
and to prepare and manufacture the same for market, use
and sale in any manner of forms it may adopt, and to
manufacture and prepare for market and sale all other
raw materials, mineral or vegetable, and for this purpose
may erect and operate all kinds of furnaces, mills, manu-
factories, coke-ovens, machinery, and other works neces-
sary for the enjoyment of the privileges herein granted to
the fullest extent.

7. The said company is authorized and empowered to
purchase, hold, own, lease, and control in any manner,
grant, bargain, and sell, mortgage, convey, and otherwise
dispose of real and personal properties of any kind in
this state or elsewhere. The said company may also
build, construct, and operate railroads from the lands of
said company to connect with any other railroads, or to
any manufacturing establishments which, in the judg-
ment of the board of directors, may be necessary for the
purpose of the company.
8. Any other company may hold shares of stock in this
company, and this company may in like manner hold
shares of stock in any other incorporated company or cor-
poration in all respects as if it were a natural person

9. The acceptance of this charter shall be construed as
an agreement on its part to pay all taxes, dues, and assess-
ments to the state of Virginia in lawful money of the
United States, and a waiver of any right, if such right
exist, to pay the same in coupons.

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

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