Pennsylvania Act 1899-43 — ALLOWING THE UNITED STATES TO ACQUIRE LAND

Act text

ALLOWING THE UNITED STATES TO ACQUIRE LAND
                  Act of Apr. 11, 1899, P.L. 43, No. 43               Cl. 29
                                  AN ACT

     Granting the consent of the State of Pennsylvania to the
        acquisition by the United States of certain lands, for the
        purpose of the erection of a postoffice and other buildings,
        in the city of Wilkes-Barre, and ceding jurisdiction over the
        same.

        Section 1.  Federal government authorized to acquire land  in
     Wilkes-Barre
        The consent of the State of Pennsylvania is hereby given to
     the acquisition by the United States by purchase, or by
     condemnation under the laws of this State, of one or more pieces
     of land situate in the city of Wilkes-Barre, not exceeding in
     quantity one acre, on which to erect a court-house, post-office,
     and other government buildings and appurtenances, and the said
     United States shall have, hold, use, occupy and own the said
     land or lands when purchased, and exercise jurisdiction and
     control over the same and every part thereof, subject to the
     restrictions hereinafter named.  1899, April 11, P.L. 43, Sec.
     1.
        Section 2.  Time jurisdiction vests; exoneration from taxes,
     etc.
        The jurisdiction ceded by the said State of Pennsylvania
     shall vest in the United States as soon as the United States
     shall have acquired title to said land or lands by purchase or
     grant, by condemnation or by lawful appropriation under the
     right of eminent domain, and so long as said land or lands
     remain the property of the United States, when acquired as
     aforesaid, and no longer, the same shall be and continue
     exonerated from all taxes, assessments and other charges which
     may be levied or imposed under the authority of this State.
     1899, April 11, P.L. 43, Sec. 2.
        Section 3.  Jurisdiction ceded to United States
        The jurisdiction of the State of Pennsylvania in and over the
     said land or lands, when purchased or taken by the United
     States, shall be and the same is hereby ceded to the United
     States; but the jurisdiction hereby ceded shall continue no
     longer than the said United States shall own the said land or
     lands.  1899, April 11, P.L. 43, Sec. 3.
        Section 4.  State to retain concurrent jurisdiction
        The said consent is given, and the said jurisdiction ceded,
     upon the express condition that the State of Pennsylvania shall
     retain concurrent jurisdiction with the United States in and
     over the land or lands, so far as that all civil process, in all
     cases, and such criminal and other process as may issue under
     the laws or authority of the State of Pennsylvania, against any
     person or persons charged with crimes or misdemeanors committed
     within said State, including said lands, may be executed in the
     same way and manner as if such consent had not been given or
     jurisdiction ceded, except so far as such process may affect the
     real or personal property of the United States.  1899, April 11,
     P.L. 43, Sec. 4.
        Section 5.  Acquiring land by eminent domain proceedings
        In case the United States shall decide to resort to
     condemnation or appropriation under the right of eminent domain,
     in acquiring land for the purposes specified in this act, it
     shall be lawful for the united states so to acquire said land:
     Provided, That the United States may pay the costs and refuse to
     take the land, if in their judgment the compensation assessed
     therefor is excessive.  1899, April 11, P.L. 43, Sec. 5.
        Section 6.  Punishment for injuring grounds, etc.
        It is further enacted that any malicious, wilful, reckless or
     voluntary injury to, or mutilation of, the grounds, buildings or
     appurtenances, shall subject the offender or offenders to a fine
     of not less than twenty dollars, to which may be added, for an
     aggravated offense, imprisonment not exceeding six months in the
     county jail or workhouse, to be prosecuted before any court of
     competent jurisdiction. 1899, april 11, P.L. 43, Sec. 6.