Chapter 14


11. If any person shall be any means, or in any manner or way whatsoever, obstruct or interrupt the free use of the said Telegraph, or any of its branches, or other works incidental or relative thereto or connected therewith, such person shall for every such offence incur a penalty or forfeiture of not less than five pounds nor exceeding ten pounds currency, to be recovered by summary conviction before one or more Justice of Peace for the County or City and County where such offence is committed; one half of the same, when levied and recovered, to be paid to the informer person prosecuting for the same, and the other half to be paid into the hands of the Treasurer of such County, and applied to the public uses of such County; provided always, that the payment of such penalty or forfeiture shall not be held to relieve or discharge the person convicted of the same from any claim for damages by the said Company for any loss or injury sustained by them in consequence of such obstruction or interruption.

12. If any person or persons shall willfully, maliciously, and to the prejudice of the said Company, break, throw down, damage, or destroy any post or posts, rail, support, wire, machine, machinery, or other works or device erected, constructed, or possessed under the authority of this Act, or do any other willful act, hurt, or mischief to disturb, hinder, or prevent the carrying into execution, making, completing, supporting, maintaining, and using the said Electric Telegraph, either on the main line or on any of its branches, or other works therewith connected, every such person or persons so offending, shall forfeit and pay to the said Company the amount of the damages and the costs of suit in that behalf incurred, in like manner as for any other trespass.


« previous page 68 next »