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 of railroad companies in Arkansas that have not built or constructed their roads, and which are not now in course of construction, are thereby forfeited, and all rights and privileges, of whatever kind, thereunder shall be null and void, unless the railroad companies shall within eighteen months from the passage of the act, actually build, construct and iron at least five miles of said road for which they have the charter; provided, that the act shall not apply to any railroad company or companies that have obtained charters from the state since the first day of January, eighteen hundred and eighty-three. Such last mentioned charters declared exempt from the operation of said act, shall, however, incur its penalties, unless the companies shall build, construct, iron and fully equip at least five miles of the road for which they have chartered within eighteen months after the obtension [sic] of the same.

An enactment authorizes telegraph and telephone companies to construct their lines within the state of Arkansas; provided, that the ordinary use of a public highway, street, public works, railroads, turnpikes, bridges, and the navigation of the water-courses, are not impeded thereby; and, provided, that all contracts for the exclusive use of property in Arkansas by any such company or corporation are declared to be invalid.

CALIFORNIA.

The legislature of California convened in regular session in February, 1885.

It passed one hundred and sixty-nine acts, and twenty-one joint and concurrent resolutions.

Few seem to be of general importance.

One, in the interest of horticulture, seeks to prevent the spreading of fruit and fruit tree pests and diseases, and to provide for their extirpation.

Another enactment is for the protection of fish and game.

One, as novel as important, provides for the appointment by the Supreme Court of three persons of legal learning and