SECTION 1. Application of chapter; secretary defined

The provisions of this chapter, unless expressly limited in their application, and except so far as they are inconsistent with other provisions of law relative to particular corporations or classes of corporations, or with the provisions of special laws, shall apply to corporations heretofore or hereafter organized under general or special laws of the commonwealth for the purpose of carrying on the business of a safe deposit company and to corporations heretofore or hereafter organized under general or special laws of the commonwealth for the purpose of carrying on within the commonwealth the business of transmitting intelligence by electricity or of a heat or canal or aqueduct company, and to any other corporations, except railroad, street railway, electric railroad or trolleymotor or power, gas, electric or water companies, which now have or may hereafter have the right to take land within the commonwealth by eminent domain, or to exercise franchises in public ways granted by the commonwealth or by any county, city or town. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, ''secretary'' or ''state secretary'' means the secretary of the commonwealth.