The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-05-24
An ACT.
To Protect Keepers Of Hotels, Inns and
Boarding Houses.

an ACl.
To Protect Keepers Of Hotels, Inns and
Boarding Houses.
The following bill, intended for the pro-
lection of Hotel Keepers and Boarding
Houses, was passed by the Pennsylvania
Legislature, few days before its adjourn
ment, and was signed by the Governor.
Section l. Be it enacted by the Senate
and House of Representatives OF the Com.
monwealth of Pennsylvania in General
Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted
by the authority of the same, That when
ever the proprietors, of any hotel, inn, or
boarding house shall provide good, suf-
fcient and secure safe in the Office of such
hotel or other convenient place for the
safe keeping of any money, goods, jew
elry and valuables belonging to the guests,
and boarders of such hotel, inn or board
ing house, and shall notify the guests and
boarders thereof by placing in every lodg-
ing-room, parlor and public hall or other
conspicuous place, printed cards or noti-
ces stating the fact that such safe is pro-
provided, in which such goods, jewelry
and valuables may be deposited, and that
the proprietor or proprietors thereof will
not be responsible for said money, goods
jewelry and valuables, unless deposited
in said safe, and if any guest or boarder
shall neglect to deposit such money, goods
jewelry or valuables in such safe, the pro-
prietor or proprietors aforesaid shall not
bsliable for any loss of such money, goods,
jekelry or valuables sustained by such
guest by theft or otherwise Pt0rtoed,
That nothing herein contained shall ap-
ply to such an amount of money, and such
articles of goods. jewelry and valuables as
is' usual, common prudent for any such
guest or boardcr to retain about in his
room or about his person.
Sec. 2. That whenever the proprietor
or proprietors of any hotel, inn or board
ing house shall post in any conspicuous
manner as aforesaid, notices requiring
said guest or boarder to bolt the door Of
the room or rooms occupied by said guest
or boarder, or in leaving the said room
or rooms, to lock the door and deposit the
key or keys with the proprietor or the
clerk at the Office, and if such guest OF
boarder shall neglect so to do, the prprio
etor or proprietors as aforesaid, shall moi
belliable for any baggage of such guest
or boarder which may be stolen from such
room or rooms P'Ocided, That such pro
prietor or proprietors shall clearly cstab
lish the fact of said room or rooms having
been left unbolted or unlocked by said
guest or boarder at the time of the loss ot
said baggage as aforesaid.
Sec. 3. That if any person or persons
with the intent to cheat and detraud de,
signedly by any false or fraudulent rep
reservations, or by any false show ofbag
gage, goods or chattels, which are calcu.
lated to deceive any hotel, inn or board
ing house keeper, shall obtain lodgings
and credit in any hotel, inn or boarding
house within this Commonwealth, and
subsequently thereto refuse to payfor thei:
said board and lodging, such person oil
persons so offending, shall, upon convic.
ton of such offence in any Court of Quar-
ter Session of this Commonwealth, be pun
ishable by Imprisonment in the county jai
of said county, for any period not moro
than three months, at the direction ot
said Court, and be liable to fine not ex.
ceeding one hundred dollars.
Sec. 4. That all proprietor or proprie.
tors Of hotels, inns and boarding houses
within this Commonwealth shall have a
lien upon the goods and baggage belong.
ing to any sojourner boarder or boarders
for any amount of Indebtedness contract
ed for boarding, lodging or entertainment
for any period of time not exceeding two
weeks, and shall have the right to detaiu
said goods and baggage until the amount
of said Indebtedness is paid, and at the
expiration Of three months the said pro,
prictor or proprietors may make applica-
ton to any alderman or justice of the
peace of the proper city, borough or coun-
ty, who is authorized to issue his warrant
to any constable within said city, borough
or county, and cause him to expose the
said goods and baggage to public sale, af-
ter giving at least ten days notice by pub
lie written or printed notices, put up in
three or more public places in the ward
of said city borough, or in the township
where said inn, hotel or boarding house
is located, and after he shall make return
thereof to the said justice or alderman,
who shall, after payments of all costs,
and the said amount of indebtedness, pay
over the balance, if any there be, to the
owner or owners of said goods and bag
gage; Provided, that the owner or owners
of said goods and baggage at any time
within the said three months. upon pay
ing the amount of said indebtedness, and
at any time previous to the sale as aforc-
said, upon paying also the additional cost
established by law for the like services.
ErtIaoJdlnary Suicide.-English pa
pers mention the suicide of Mr.. Royl-
stoDo who fon wars 400 was worth one