The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-01-20
THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
IMPORTANT BILLS INTRODUCED.

SPRINGFIELD Jan. 19.-In view of the
late terrible disaster in Milwaukee, and
other casualties of like nature, the fol
! lowing bill introduced into the house yes
! terday by Mr.. Murray, democrat, of San
CANON, will prove of interest to every one
who has occasion to stop at hotels in the
state:
A bill for an act to require all keepers or
persons controlling hotels, seminaries,
colleges or other places where persons
are lodged to provide and keep in repair
fire escapes.
SEC l. 1t shall be, and is hereby made
the duty of every owner or keeper of any
hotel. inn, public house. seminary or col
lege. or controller or controllers of such
seminary or college building within this
state, where persons are lodged, To provide
suitable or efficient ladders or other safe
fire escapes from the different and all up
per stories of such hotels, inns public
houses, seminary or college buildings, so
as to be accessible and convenient to- and
for the use of persons occupying each room
in such building in case of fire.
SEC. 2 Every such person owning.
keeping, or controlling such house or
building named in section first of this act
shall provide such fire escape within so
days from and after the passage of this
act.
SEC. 3. 1t shall be the duty of the CITY
marshal in cities having such officer and
the chief of police in cities having no city
marshal and the president of the board Of
trustees in villages, and the sheriff of the
county where such hotels, inns, public
houses, seminary or college buildings, are
located outside of any such city or village.
to notify in writing all persons within
their jurisdiction not having complied with
the provisions of this act to comply there
with within 30 days after such notice shall
have been given; and it shall be the duty
of such officer to personally examine SUCH
hotels, inns or other buildings herein
named, once in every SIX months for the
purpose of, and to enforce this act
SEC. 4. If any owner or keeper of such
inn or public house or the controller or
controllers of any such seminary or college
building. neglect or refuse to comply with
the requirements of this act within the
time specified, he or they shall forfeit moi
less than fifty nor more than two hundred
dollars for each month he or they so fail
to comply Herewith, to be recovered in the
name and for the city or village ia a civil
action, and in case where suit is brought
under this act by the sheriff of the county,
il shall be for the use of the county
The bill was referred to the judicial de |
partnent.
Mr.. Seyster, of Ogle, introduced an act.
which was referred to the committee on |
judiciary, to amend an act concerning
bastardy. adding the following:
SEC II. No suit arising under the pro
visions of this act shall be dismissed or
without the written consent |
Of the states attorney Of the county in |
which the suit was brought
Mr.. Ewing. Rep, of Douglas, intro
1uced an important bill yesterday, which
provides that in all trials by jury in the
courts of this state an agreement by two
thirds of the members of any jury shall be
for the finding of verdict
except in criminal cases, where the penalty