Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-08-02
IMPORTANT NEW LAWS.

From the Paris, No.. Mercury. July 90
Continuing our recital of the more
important new laws, we next call atten-
ton to the law relating to the examina-
ton and approval of official bonds. The
design of the law is to protect the state
and the counties against loss, through
insufficient bonds given by state and
county officials. 1t is very strict In its
reauirements-possibly too much so. 1t
provides that no official bond, in q penal
sum of twenty-five thousand dollars or
more. shall be approved. until after the
sureties shall subscribe and swear to a
statement, to be endorsed on or attached
to the bond, setting forth the name, resi-
dence and occupation OF each surety, a
description OF his property and what en-
cumbrances. If any. the extent of his
liabilities and whether he is the head of
a family. Other testimony as to the SOL
vency of the suretles. when deemed ne
cessary by the court or officer whose
duty it Is to examine the bond, may be
taken. 1t provides also tor the yearly
examination of official bonds and in
case any such bond is found to be insult
6cient, a new bond may be required and
if not given IN so days the Office to be-
come vacant. 1t also authorizes tn e gov
ernor to direct suit to be brought on
any bond to the state whenever the pub
lie exigencies require it.
Another new law relates to balances
in county treasures. and provides that
whenever there is q balance in any
county treasury to the credit of any spe-
cial fund, which is no longer needed for
the purpose Tor which it was raised, the
county court may order such balance to
DO transferred to the general revenue
fund OF the county or to such other fund
as may need it.
Another new law provides for the can
collation. OF county warrants by the
treasurer by punching round holes
through the signatures and writing
across the face OF the warrant in red
ink the word cancelled" with the date
OF such cancellation, and that the coun-
ty clerk shall also write ''cancelled''
across the back of the warrant, in red
ink, when the cour receives 1t from the
treasurer as a voucher in his settlement,
The design of this law is so apparent
that it needs no explanation. 1t was
claimed that it was badly needed In
some parts of the state. 1t is certainly
a reasonable %precaution. The bill also
provides that the warrants after their
cancellation shall be filed as records oil
| the court.
Another law fixes the time when the
term OF office OF county collector shall
expire, about which there was serious
doubt under the old law. The time
named is the first Monday in March OF
the year when they make their last final
settlement for the tax book which was
to be collected by them.
Another important law gives to be-
nevolent and religious associations the
privilege of providing for the relief
and aid of the families. widows and or
phans of their deceased members, or ior
assisting such as may be sick or dis.
abled, from the proceeds of assessments
upon members, of such societies exempt
from the operation of the general stat.
ute of the state in regard to insurance
companies. 1t had been held that ma
sons and odd fellows and other So
%cieties, insuring the lives ofthe members
In that way, were virtually insurance
companies, and ought to be subjected to
the oversig ht and control of the insur-
ance department of the state. This the
bill prevents, and leaves those orders to
protect their widows and orphans by
assessments. if they desire to do so,
without subjecting them to the payment
Of fees. depositing security. and the like,
required of insurance companies by the
general statute in relation to insurance.