The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-04-07
THINGS NEW or OUR STATUTE
BOOKS

The STATESMAN has already
shown the purport of laws passed by
the Seventeenth Legislature, but il
may be well to recapitulate as tc
some of the more important of 9
general nature:
-Intoxication nor temporary in.
sanity, produced by the use OF
ardent spirits, shall constitute ex.
cuse for commission of crime, or
mitigate the degree or penalty oil
crime.
AN act providing that disabili.
ties of minors may be removed by
district courts upon petition and
cause shown, and that thereupon
minors, for all legal purposes, shall
be deemed and held of full age, ex-
cept as voting.
An act amends chapter 8, title
II, Penal Code, provides that care
less and reckless handling of bag
gage by baggage masters, express
agents and others-public carriers
shall be a misdmeeanor, punishable
by fine not exceeding 800.
An act amending article 1549,
Revised Civil Statutes, provides
that justices of the peace shall hold
the regular terms of their courts at
their respective offices, at such time
as may be prescribed by the COM
missioners court of the county.
An act applying to the coun-
ties of Henderson, Parker, Lam
pasas, Blanco, Bexar, Kimball, Nu-
eces, Gillespie. Kendall, Uvalde,
Wheeler. Oldham, Bandera, Whar-
ton, McMullen, Medina, Frio, Dim
nit, La Sale, Hidalgo, Starr, Zapata,
Duval and Burnet to take from
county courts jurisdiction conferred
under the general law, and relugates
same to Justices courts.
An act amending articles 1854 and
S65, of the act regarding gaming
provides that any one who shall bet
or wager at any ofthe games named
in Penal Code, or ut any other games
with dice, dominoes, ETC., at public
places, shall be fined not less than
ten nor more than twenty-five dol
lars; and the proprietor of the pub
lie house where such games are per-
mitted for wagers, ETC., shall be fin
ed not less than $25 or more than
500.
An act amendatory of article
1881, chapter 8, title Is, Code Crimi-
nal Procedure increases pay of ju-
rors as follows: In criminal cases
per day, in county and district
courts, 81; in justices courts, so cents
in each case, but not for more than
two cases in one day; mayors and
recorders courts in trial of offenses
against municipal ordinances not in
Guided in provision. Justices are
required to report to county clerk
on first Monday in each month
of all who have served as ju-
rors during preceding month, and
of days and fractions of days
they have served.
The new liquor law imposes tax
On spirituous. vinuus or malt liquors
Or medicated bitters as follows: In
less than a quart, $500; one quart and
less than five gallons, $500; five gal
lons or more, $500; malt liquors ex-
$50; provided that whole
sale liquor dealers or merchants pay
ing occupation tax shall not be pre-
vented from selling unbroken pack
ages less than five gallons, without
being required to pay an additional
tax as quart dealers. Counties and
cities can levy q tax each not ex-
ceeding half these figures. Taxes
must be paid in advance for twelve
Bond of $1,000 is re-
1uired from retail dealers that
they will keep an orderly house,
md that they will not sell intoxicat-
ing drinks to minors or students OF
my institution of learning, to
labitual drunkards or to persons
whose written objection is raised by
wives or daughters.
An act, amendatory of the law
estates of deceased per-
sons, provides that a county court
Judge may, ON his own mo-
ion or on complaint of interested
parties. remove executors and adj
When they fail to
make annual exhibits, or any ex-
libit they are required by law to
make. When they fail to make final
at end of three years af-
,er grant of letters, unless time is
by the court. 1t also re-
Iuires the probate court, when
1ocket is taken up, to dispose of
'ame without adjournment for more
han three days at any one time.
Executors and administrators are
to make annual exhibits
1nder oath, showing condition of
estate. Also final settlement with.
IL three years from grant of letters,
Inless time is extended by court.
Penalty for failure to make above
exhibits and settlements removal by
he court.
The game law 10 so amended as
o prohibit seining or netting fish.
above tide water, between the first
february and first July, and pro-
rides that meshes of all seines shall
lot be less than two and one half
inches in diameter. Fine So to $50;
llso, fixed nets, traps or other con-
rivances to catch fish. Penalties
s15 to $75, for each days offense.
Also, prohibits use of lime, china
berries, or other poisonous sub
stances in catching fish. Fine $50
o $3.50. Prohibits killing or des-
,roying wild deer between the first
lays of December and June. Penal
y $25 to $50 and commitment to Jail
Until fine and costs are paid; pro-
tides that hucksters, marketers, etc,
ound in possession of fresh killed
yenison, one day before or ten days
lfter the open season is closed, shall
,e liable to fine above noted. Pro-
libits killing or trapping wild turk
.ys between fifteenth May and first
Penalty $25. Forbids
or killing prairie chickens
n March, April, May, June and July.
Penalty $40. Prohibits killing or
atching quail or cartridges, in
Iarch, April, May June, July and
and wholly prohibits net
ing quail at any time. Penalty $40.
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