Chap. 834.—An ACT to incorporate the Cottage farm railway company.

Approved March 3, 1898.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That W. T.
Gilchrist, R. S. Cromwell, John Mariner, James F. Mariner, James
Barclay, W. E. Dillion and M. McKevitte, of Norfolk, Virginia, and
such other persons as may be hereafter associated with them, their suc-
cessors and assigns, be, and they are hereby, created a body politic and
corporate, by and under the name and style of the Cottage farm railway
company, and by that name they may sue and be sued, plead and be
impleaded, in all the courts of this state or elsewhere; have perpetual
succession; have, make and use a common seal, which may be altered
and renewed at pleasure; and may adopt and ordain such by-laws, ordi-
nances and regulations as they may think wise or proper, and generally
may do everything necessary to carry this act into effect and to promote
the object and designs of the said corporation: provided that such by-
laws, ordinances, regulations and acts shall not be inconsistent with the
laws of this state or of the United States or with this charter.

2. The said corporation is also authorized and empowered to locate,
construct, maintain and operate by horse, steam, electricity or other mo-
tive power, a line of railway, with single or double track, commencing
at a point near or at the corporate limits of the city of Norfolk, in the
county of Norfolk, Virginia, and running thence to any grounds, parks
or other Improv ements of the said association within the said county of
Norfolk. Said corporation is authorized to transport over its read or
roads passengers or freight, or both, at such rates of toll as the directors
of said corporation may from time to time prescribe. The said corpora-
tion is empowered and authorized to acquire by gift, purchase, lease or
condemnation, according to the laws of Virginia, lands for right of way,
depots, sti itions, and other purposes necessary for the successful construe-
tion and operation of its railroad, and may connect or unite its railroad
with that of any other railroad company now or hereafter constructed in
said county, or consolidate or merge its stock, property or franchises
with those of any other company operating or authorized to operate a
connecting line of railroad, upon such terms as may be agreed upon by
the hoard of directors of the company so uniting or consolidating.

3. The said corporation shall have a capital stock of not less than five
thousand dollars nor more than fifty thousand dollars, and the same
shall be divided into shares of the par value of fifty dollars each. The

said corporation ghall have the power and right to prescribe the manner
in which said capital stock may be paid and called for without giving
any notice thereof. Stockholders of the said corporation shall not be
personally liable for any debt, contract or obligation of the said corpo-
ration, except to the extent of the unpaid balance of their subscriptions
to the capital stock.

4. The said corporation shall have power to hold and own as much
land as may be suitable for its purposes, not to exceed five hundred
acres at any onetime. It shall have power, if in the Judgment of its
board of directors it shall become necessary to do so, to execute and
issue its notes, bonds, or other evidences of debt, and to secure the same
by mortgage or deed of trust upon its real estate, personal property and
franchises. It shall also have power to sell and dispose of its lands and
personal property, or any part thereof, at any time.

5. The officers of said corporation shall consist of a president, a vice-
president, a secretary, a treasurer, and a board of not less than five nor
more than fifteen directors, inclusive of the officers above named, who
shall be directors by virtue of their effice, but the offices of president and
treasurer, or of secretary and treasurer, may, at the pleasure of the board
of directors, be held by the same person.

6. The principal office of the said corporation shall be in the city of
Norfolk, and the annual election of officers shall be held in said city.
Until there is an election of officers by the stockholders the following
persons shall manage the affairs of the s said corporation, to-wit: W. 7.
Gilchrist shall act as president; R. S. Cromwell as vice-president; John
Mariner as treasurer; W. E. Dillion as secretary; and the said persons,
with James Barclay, James F. Mariner, and M. Mekev itte shall consti-
tute the board of directors.

By accepting this charter said corporation agrees to pay all taxes
and dues to the state of Virginia in legal currency of the United States.

8. The work of construction on this road shail be be ‘un within two
years and be completed within five vears from the passage of this act

9. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby re-
pealed.

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