Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-05-19
AN ACTTo PRoTECTKEEPERs OF HOTELS,
INNsAND BOARDING HOUSES

Section l. BE it enacted by the Senate and
House Of Representatives of the Common
wealth Of Pennsylvania in General Assembly
met, and il is hereby enacted by the authori-
ty OF the same, That whenever the proprie-
tors Of any hotel, inn or boarding house shall
provide good, sufficient and secure safe in
the office of such hotel or other convenient
place for the safe keeping of any money,
goods, jewelry and valuables belonging to the
guests and boarders of such hotel, inn or
boarding house, and shall notify the guests
and boarders thereof byplacng in every lodg-
ing-room, parlor and public hall or other
conspicuous place, printed cards or notices
stating the fact that such safe is provided, in
which goods, iewelry and valuables may be
deposited, and that the proprietor or propri-
etors thereof will not be responsible for said
money, goods, iewelry and vauables, unless
deposited in said safe, and if any such guest
or bosrder shall neglect to deposit such mon-
cy, goods. jewelry or valuab!es in such safe,
the proprietor or proprietors aforesaid shall
not be liable for any loss Of such money,
goods, jewelry or vnluables sustained by such
guest by theft or otherwise Prorided, That
nothing herein contained shall apply to such
un amount of money and such crticles of
goods, jewelry and valuables as 10 usual.
common and prudent for any slch guest or
boarder to retain in his room or about his
person.
Sect. 2. That whenever the proprietor or
proprietors of any hotel, inn or boarding
house shall post in conspicuous manner as
aforesaid, notices requiring said guest or
boarder to bolt the door of the room or rooms
occupied by said guest or boardcr. or in leav-
ing the said room or rooms, to lock the door,
and deposit the key or keys with the proprie-
tor or the clerk at the Office, and if such
guest or boarder shall neglect so to do, the
proprietor or proprietors as aforesaid, shall
not be liable Cor any baggage of such guest
or boarder which may be stolen from sad
room or rooms: Provided, That said propri-
etors shall clearly establish the fact of said
room or rooms having been left unbolted or
unlocked by said guest or boarder at the time
ofthe loss of said baggage as aforesaid.
sec. 3. That ifany person or persons with
the intent to cheat and defraud designedly by
any false or fraudulent representations or by
any false show of baggage, goods, or chattels,
which are calculated to deceive any hotel,
inn, or boarding housekceper, shall obtain
lodgings and credit in any hotel inn, or
boarding house within this commonwealth,
and subsequently thereto refuse to pay for
their said board and lodging. such person or
persons SO offending, shall upon conviction of
srch offence in any Court Of Quarter Ses-
slors Of this Commonwealth be punishable
by Imprisonment iu the county Jail OF said
county, for any period not more than three
months at the discretion of said court, and
b, liable TO Gnc not exceeding one hundred
dollars.
Sac 4. That all proprietor or proprietors
oihotcls inns aud boarding houses within this
Commonwealth shall have lien upon the
.oods and baggage belonging TO any soiour-
rtr, boarder or boarderS, for any amount OF
udebtedness contracted for boarding, lodg-
ing or entertainment, for any period Of time
dcxceediug two weeks, and shall have the
lFht to dctain said goods and baggage until
he amount Of said indebtedness is paid, and
/ the expiration Of three months the said
lopretor or proprietors may make appllca-
on TO any alderman Of justice OF the peace
1.-The proper city, borough or county, who Is
Ireby authorized to issue his warrant to any
Unstable within said city, borough or county,
I'd cause him TO expose the said goods and
lggage to public sale, after giving at least
days notice, by public written or printed
tees, put up in three or more public places
tic ward of said city or borough, or in the
ynshp where said inn, hotel or boarding
Use is located, and after he shall have solt
same he shall make return thereof TO the
Justice or alderman, who SHALL after pay.
nj Of all costs, and the said amount Of III
ltedness, pay over the balance II any there
10 the owner or owners Of said goods ant
mase Prorided, that the owner oroWnerS
Sl goods and baggage shall have thC
ITO redeem said goods and baggage al
(me within the said three months upor
gthe amount of said indebtedness, anC
time previous 10 the sale as aforesaid
payiHg'also the additional cost cstab
lby law for the like services. Approved
,Ilsjj.
oeoS---