Any number of persons, not less than three, may associate to establish a corporation for the transaction of any lawful business, or to promote or conduct any legitimate object or purpose under the provisions of and subject to the requirements of this act as hereinafter provided; excepting for such purposes as are excluded from the operation of a general law by Section 1 of Article 9 of the Constitution of this State upon making and filing a certificate of incorporation in writing in manner hereinafter mentioned. Corporations for constructing, maintaining and operating railroads, railways, telegraph or telephone lines outside of this state may be formed under the general provisions of this act, but corporations for constructing, maintaining and operating railroads or railways within this state shall be subject to the special provisions and requirements of this act applicable to such corporations.