Chap. 898.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 1292 of the code of Vir-
ginia, in relation to the delivery and forwarding of dispatches by telegraph
and telephone companies.

Approved March 6, 1900.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
twelve hundred and nincty-two of the code of Virginia, be amended and
re-enacted so as to read as follows:

§ 1292. Their delivery.—It shall be the duty of every telephone com-
pany, upon the arrival of a dispatch at the point to which it is to be
transmitted by said company, to deliver it promptly to the person to
whom it is addressed, where the regulations of the company require
such delivery, or to forward it promptly as directed where the same
is to be forwarded.

It shall be the duty of everv telegraph company, upon the arrival
of a dispatch at the point to which it is to be transmitted, to cause the
same to be forwarded by a messenger to the person to whom the same
is addressed, or his agent, and upon the payment of any charges due
on this dispatch to deliver it: provided, such person or agent reside
within the city or incorporated town in which such station is, or that
at such point the regulations of the company require such delivery.

It shall also be the duty of such company to forward a dispatch
promptly, as directed, where the same is to be forwarded. For everv
failure to deliver or forward a dispatch as promptly as practicable, the
company shall forfeit one hundred dollars to the persons sending the
dispatch or the person to whom it was addressed.

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