The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-06-07
GENERAL BILLS.

These bills of general interest have been APP
proved by the governor:
OF this number the most important is the gen.
eral passenger railway act. 1t provides for the in
corporation and regulation Of passenger railway
companies in all cities, boroughs and townships in
the state. The bill was passed to validate the
charters of tho railway companies in many of the
smaller cities. The most important feature of
this act is the fact that it does not give councils
any control over them so far as paving and keep
ing the streets on which their tracks run, in
pair, This applies to Philadelphia as well as to
other parts OF the state, and any company &c.
cepting the provisions Of this act is entitled to all
of its privileges.
Authorizing the printing ct the expense Of the
state and the distribution through the senate and
house and the state departments Of an edition
of 1900 copies Of Warrens Book of the Birds Of
Pennsylvania"
Providing that when an action for ejectment IL
pending for the recovery Of real estate the plaint
iff or any other person having such right Of ac.
tion may begin an action for mesne profits before
the termination of such action. AS the law was
previously, such persons could not bring such ac-
ton for mesne profits until after the termination
of the suit of ejectment The actions begun
under this act cannot, however, be proceeded
unto trial until the plaintiffs shall have secured
possession of the real estate in dispute
Authorizing the election Of constables in bor-
oughs and townships for three years term; also
authorizing the election Of assessors for three
years in townships and boroughs. Directing the
clerks of the orphans courts to keep partition
docket. Authorizing the county commissioners
outside of Philadelphia and Allegheny counties to
offer and pay rewards for the detection, arrest
and conviction of horse thieves.
Providing that hereafter when Judgment has
been obtained for board for four weeks or less the
person against whom tho Judgment has been OBJ
tanned cannot exempt any property from levy
and sale to satisfy the judgment.
Repeating the fence law OF liOO which provided
shat fence should be maintained against the
depreciation of stock; With this law repealed the
farmers Of the western counties, except Bradford,
are compelled 10 comply with the act of 1881,
which provided for fence four and half feet
high. All the other counties are under the Low
fence law of 1915. Each farmer In the state is now
compelled to keep his stock from his ueighbor's
field or, in other words, he must fence his cattle
in. Prior to the repeal of the act OF 1900 farmer
was compelled to build fence around his field 10
keep his neighbors cattle out
Authorizing boroughs to erect and lease wharye5
and TO collect wharf rent for the use of the same
Granting the privilege of appeals from assess
mcnt OF taxes by assessors to the court of common
pleas, This does not apply to Philadelphia.
Empowering corporate authorities Of boroughs
70 levy and collect license tax on carriages and
hacks.
Repeating the provision of the law giving coun.
ties the right to acquire bridges erected over riy.
ing the amount of damages that any county shall
pay for such bridge to $4,000
Authorizing the appointment of a committee Of
four members Of the house and three members Of
the senate to investigate the charitable and cor
rectonal system Of the state and all other nstitu
tions supported In whole or in part by the state
Providing that the courts may authorize the
prothonotary TO enter judgment upon procipe for
want Of an appearance, for want OF declaration
OF n plea, or for want OF an AFFIDAVIT of defense;
TO enter judgment thereon with the same effect
as II the said motions had been made In open
court
Limiting the time within which indictments
tor embezzlement by administrators, executors,
guardians and trustees may be brought to two
years from the final decree adjudicating the final
accounts OF the said trustees
To provide for the payment of fees and purchase
money due 10 the state on the issuing of warrants
TO survey vacant lands
Authorizing the judges in counties where there
Is law library connected with the courts, sup
ported wholly or In part by fines and forfeitures
70 appoint librarian and to fix his compensation
Providing that il any person or persons shall
sell cigarettes TO any person or persons under the
age of 10 years, he or she so Offending shall be
guilty Of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction
thereof shall be sentenced 10 pay a fine of not
more than $500
Authorizing the publication of the Pennsylvania
archives.
Placing the number of roadIand bridge viewers
at three
Providing for the Identification of habitual
criminals. The law directs the keepers of the
penitentiaries 10 keep minute record of the his
tory and antecedents OF convicts In its walls, u
full description Of such criminal the adoption Of
the Bertillion method OF measurement and iden-
tihcaton and registration, and generally an elab-
crate system by which the law officers Of the
state may trace up the history of an habitual
criminal
Permitting property owners 10 build sidewalks
along their land on public highways when not
less than thilty-three feet wido and the sidewalk
Is not over four feet wide
Making the first Monday in September a legal
holiday, TO be known as Labor Day.
Authorizing writs TO be issued for the collection
OF cost for work done material furnished by the
board of health or any municipal corporation.
Authorizing councils OF Incorporated boroughs
10 require that the streets shall DO curbed paved
or macadamized, and providing for the assess
ment and collection Of the cost Of the same.
Providing that no city borough OF school tax