CHAP. 58.—An ACT to incorporate the Empire transportation
company.

Approved January 14, 1892.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That E. D. Christian, R. B. Cooke, H. W. Flournoy, H. L.
Smith, C. W. Branch, W. A. Young, Tazewell Ellett, H.
W. Page, S. B. Witt, John F. Lawler, and their associates,
successors, and assigns, be, and hereby are, incorporated
into a body politic and corporate by the name of the Em-
pire transportation company, for the purpose and with the
power of owning, equipping, leasing, chartering, and run-
ning two or more steamboats for the transportation of
freight, passengers, and vehicles on the Elizabeth river to
and from Lambert’s Point and Farmer’s creek to Norfolk,
and to and from Norfolk and Portsmouth and such other
places on the Elizabeth river as the said company may de-
sire.

2. The capital stock of said company shall not be less
than fifty thousand dollars nor more than five hundred
thousand, divided into shares of one hundred dollars each.
The above-named incorporators, or any four of them, are
hereby created a commission and authorized to receive
subscriptions to the stock of said company in such manner
as they may deem necessary, and keep the same open until
_the minimum capital has been subscribed ; thereafter they
may call a meeting of the stockholders, who may organize
the company. The capital stock may be increased from
time to time until the maximum sum named in this act is
reached.

3. The said company may acquire, by purchase or other-
wise, and hold real estate not to exceed two acres at each
landing place, and may mortgage and encumber, by deed
of trust or otherwise, and dispose of its real estate, wharves,
docks, and any other property and privileges as they may
deem to be necessary for the proper conduct of their busi-
ness, and may issue bonds to be secured on its property
and franchises.

4. The said company may construct, own, equip, operate,
and run a ferry from any of the above-mentioned points
to any of the others, and may rent or lease boats and other
equipments and terminals necessary for the operation of a
ferry or ferries between said points, and may charge and
collect tolls for the transportation of freight, passengers,
and vehicles.

5. The said company may make rules and regulations
for the management, control and conduct of its business
and property, not inconsistent with the laws of the state
or of the United States.
6. The service furnished by this company betwee
Norfolk and Portsmouth, shall be, 1n point of frequenc
of trips, equal to or better than that which shall be fu
nished by the ferry now operating between said points; an
the said company shall use no boats between Norfolk an
Portsmouth, unless the same are fully equipped to car:
vehicles as well as passengers, and to give in other respect
proper and sufficient accommodation for the transport:
tion of both passengers and vehicles.

7. The provisions of this charter shall be complie
with within two years from the passage of this act, othe
wise the same shall be void.

8. The general assembly of Virginia reserves the rig]
to alter, amend, or repeal this charter at its pleasure.

9. All taxes due or to become due to the commonwealt
of Virginia from the said company, shall be paid in lav
ful money of the United States, and not in coupons.

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