THOMAS SWANN, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

51

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That the capital
stock of said company shall consist of shares of fif-
ty dollars each to be issued to those who have here-
tofore, or may hereafter furnish funds for the con-
struction and improvement of said lines of telegraph,
as may he agreed upon.

Capital stock.

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That the said com-
pany shall have power to purchase, receive 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 said company, and may appoint such
directors, officers and agents and make such pru-
dential rules and regulations and by-laws as may
be necessary in the transaction of their business,
not inconsistent with the laws of this State or of
the United States.

Power of the
Company.

Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That the said com-
pany is authorized to 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 necessa-
ry fixtures, including posts, piers or abutments, for

Privileges.

sustaining the cords or wires of the lines; provided,
the same shall not be so constructed as to incom-
mode the public use of said roads or highways, or
injuriously interrupt the navigation of said waters;
nor shall this act be so construed as to authorize
the construction of any bridge across any of the wa-
ters of this State.

Proviso.

Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That if any per-
son over whose lands said lines shall pass, upon
which said posts, piers, or abutments shall be
placed, shall consider himself aggrieved or dam-
aged thereby, he shall have a right to apply to a
Justice of the Peace of the county where such lands
are, who shall thereupon issue his warrant directed
to the Sheriff of the county, commanding him to
summon twelve disinterested persons qualified to
serve as Jurors, to meet at the proper place, as di-
rected by said justice; and the sheriff shall qualify
the said persons by oath, faithfully to perform the
duties required of them by this act, and the said
jury shall make a just and equitable appraisal of
all the loss and damage sustained by said applicant
by reason of such lines, posts, or abutments, and
make a true return and inquisition thereof, in writ-

Damage to
private pro-
perty.