Chap. 16.—An ACT to incorporate the Virginia Fuel-Gas Company.

Approved January 12, 1886.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
James R. Werth, A. L. Boulware, Franklin Stearns, William E.
Tanner, Maxwell T. Clarke, William H. Daly, George M. Wilson,
and such other persons as they may associate with them, and their
successors, be and are hereby made and constituted a body
politic and corporate, by the name of the Virginia Fuel-Gas
Company, and shall have all the powers, rights, and franchises
necessary or proper for the purpose of buying or leasing natu-
ral gas wells and coal mines, mining coal, boring or sinking
wells for gas and oil, and erecting works for the manufacture of
gas; to construct and maintain mains along and under and
across county roads, and under and over railways in the coun-
ties of Amelia, Chesterfield and Hanover, for the distribution
of the product of said wells or works: provided, the said mains
are so constructed as not to impede travel or endanger life or
property, and to construct and maintain mains and other neces-
sary fixtures in the cities of Richmond, Manchester and Peters-
burg, subject to such conditions as may be imposed by the
municipal authorities of said cities; to sell and deliver gas,
oil, and mineral fuel to individuals and corporations.

2. Any four of the incorporators hereinbefore named may
organize the company by electing a president and: board of
directors, and may elect and appoint such officers as may be
necessary or proper for the operation of said company’s affairs,
and thereupon the said company shall have and exercise all the
general powers and functions of a corporation, and be subject to
all the restrictions imposed by the laws of the state, and appli-
cable to chartered companies, except so far asthe same may be
changed or modified by this act.

3. The capital stock of this company shall not exceed three
millions dollars, to be divided into shares of the par value of
one hundred dollars; and the said stock may be all common, or
such part thereof preferred as said company may from time to
time determine. Bach share of stock shall be entitled to one
vote.

4. The directors may sell the shares from time to time as they
may deem expedient, until the stock is fully taken, and may re-
ceive in payment or part payment for such shares any property
necessary for or adapted to the construction, operation or main-
tenance of the wells, mines, mains or works of the company, or
to the carrying on of its business; and may receive in payment
or part payment for any such stock, labor, supplies or material
for the construction of its works or their appendages; and may

urchase and hold property which, or its proceeds, may be
beneficial or useful to said company in carrying out the object
of said company, and pay therefor wholly or in part in the
capital stock of said company.

5. The directors shall have power to issue bonds in sums of
one hundred dollars, and multiples thereof, the principal and
interest of which shall be payable at such times and places as
the board of -directors may determine.

6. The duration of this charter shall be for ninety-nine years:
provided that this charter shall at all times hereafter be subject
to amendment or repeal, at the pleasure of the general assembly,
and that said corporation shall pay all taxes, dues and deman
due the state at any time hereafter in lawful money of the
United States, and not in coupons.

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