ART. 26.] CORPORATIONS. 169

FOE CONSTRUCTING TELEGRAPHS.

102. Any seven or more white persons, citizens of the United
States, and a majority of them citizens of this State, may asso-
ciate for the purpose of owning or constructing a line or lines of
wires of telegraph through this State, or from or to any point
within this State, upon the terms and conditions and subject to
the liabilities herein prescribed.

103. Such persons, under their hands and seals, shall make a
certificate which shall specify: First. The name assumed to dis-
tinguish such association, and to be used in its dealings, and by
which it may sue and be sued. Second. The general route of the
line of telegraph, designating the points to be connected. Third.
The capital stock of such association, and the number of shares
into which the stock shall be divided. Fourth. The names and
places of residence of the stockholders and the number of shares
held by each of them respectively. Fifth. The period at which
such association shall commence and terminate.

104. The said certificate shall be acknowledged before any
officer authorized to. take the acknowledgment of deeds of real
estate at the place such acknowledgment is taken, and shall be
recorded in the office of the clerk of the Circuit Court for the
county where any office of such association shall be established;
or if the office be in the city of Baltimore, then in the office of
the clerk of the Superior Court for said city.

105. When the said certificate shall be so acknowledged and
recorded, such association shall be a body corporate by the name
designated therein.

106. Such association shall have power to purchase and hold,
and convey such real estate, and such only, as may be necessary
for the convenient transaction of the business, and for effectually
carrying on the operations of such association, and may appoint
such directors, officers and agents, and make such prudential
rules and regulations as may be necessary in the transaction of
their business.

107. Such association may construct lines of telegraph along
and upon any of the public roads and highways, or across any
of the waters within the limits of this State, by the erection of
the necessary fixtures, including posts, piers or abutments for