1852.

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. 304.

shall be committed, and shall also be subject to indict-
ment in said court, and upon conviction of such of-
fence, shall be punished by fine and imprisonment, in
the discretion of the court.

Authority to
contract for
carrying mail.

Power to
make special
contracts.

May fix the
charge for
storage and
transportation

of merchan-
dise.

SEC. 23. And be it enacted, That the president and
directors, or a majority of them, shall have authority to
contract for the transportation of the mail of the Uni-
ted States, and for the transportation of persons and
property for the use of the United States or State of
Maryland; and the said company shall have power to
make special contracts for the exclusive use of any car
for a limited time or distance, and for the transporta-
tion of horses and other living animals, and of carria-
ges, furniture, plate, jewelry, specie, and machinery of
any description, on such terms as may be agreed on by
the parties; and that they may fix from time to time
the price to be charged for receiving, weighing, deliver-
ing and storage of merchandize, produce and other
articles, and for the transportation of single articles not
exceeding two hundred and fifty pounds in weight, and
further, that the said company shall be entitled to
charge for the transportation of any parcel or article
any distance whatever, fifteen cents, and a like sum for
taking up and setting down any person who shall travel
a distance not exceeding eight miles, in addition to a
charge of three cents per mile for the conveyance of
such person.

Start and run
cars at regular
times.

SEC. 24. And be it enacted, That said company
shall start and run their cars for transportation of pas-
sengers and property, at regular times, to be fixed by
public notice; and shall furnish sufficient accommoda-
tions for the transportation of all such passengers and
properly, as shall, within a reasonable time previous
thereto, be offered for transportation at the place of start-
ing, and at the usual stopping places established for re-
ceiving and discharging way passengers and freight for
that train, and shall take, transport and discharge such
passengers and property, at, from and to such places,
on the due payment of the freight or fare, legally au-
thorised therefor; and shall be liable to the party ag-
grieved, in an action for damages, for any neglect of
refusal in the premises.

Bell or steam
whistle.

SEC. 25. And be it enacted, That a bell be placed
on each locomotive engine, and rung at the distance of
at least one hundred rods from the place where the rail
road shall cross any travelled public road or street, and
be kept tinging until it shall have crossed such road or
street, or a steam whistle shall be attached to each loco-
motive engine, and be sounded at least one hundred rods