Evening journal., 1889-02-08
Pennsylvania LEGISLATURE.
Proposed New Laws Concerning Marriage
Licenses and Actions for Libel.


HARRISBURG, Feb. s.-The bin for the kiln
ing Of vicious dogs and protection Of sheen
was unfavorable reported; the amendments
to the marriage license law were favorahly
reported, making amendments to the mar
riage license law providing that the only in
formation as to the age of the parties apply
ing shall be that they are Of legal age. that
only one party need apply, and that the mar
rage may be solemnized ia other counties
than the one in which the license has been
granted.
Among the few bills introduced was one
70 amend the net for the incorporation Of title
insurance companies so as 10 allow such COP
porations 70 purchase homes There was a
lively discussion over the bin which fayors !
bounty OF 81 for the killing Of every gray red
fox, fifty cents for every mink and ifty cents
for every weasel
Mr. Fow introduced bill relating to
actions for libel as follows:
Section 1. That in actions for lihels there shall
pc no presumption of either express actual or
iegal malice from the mere fact Of the puhea-
e'oh OF the libel, and the burden Of proof on the
question OF malice shall be on the plaintiff
section 2 In actions for libel # there is no
PROOF OF express malice or the court or Jury shall
mud that there was no such malice Then 10 az
empaiy or punitive damages shnIl be awarded
Section 3. No action for libel shall be brought
or maintained unless the plaintiff. shall before
bringing SUIT, request the defendant 10 publish a
retracton OF the libel and allow 10 the defendant
reasonable time In which 70 publish such retrac.
ton and 70 make such amends as are reasonable
ana possible under the circumstances of the case
and proof Of the publication Of any such retrae
ton or correction shall be admissible ia evidence
under the general issue on the question Of the
ftAA fntI "a % 81 .I.V...
and reduction Of damages Proof Of the failure
or uegect Of the plaintiff to comply with the pro-
Yisteas Of this section may be given IN evidence
under the general issue in bar OF the action
Section 4. II shall not be lawful for any attor-
neg ~ law TO bring or conduct any action of libel
far = contingent fee or ON any UNDERSTANDING ax
pressed or implied, that he is TO receive any nor.
ZION or all Of the damage recovered as compansa
ton for his services; nor shall any attorney AZ
law advance any money or incur any liability far
the purpose Of defraying the expenses Of plaintiff
in any such action.
Among the bills favorably reported in the
senate was that providing for the appoints
ment OF commissioners to adopt a uniform
system OF school books. A considerable num-
Der q other bills, not of general interest were
reported. A committee was appointed to take
into consideration the manner in which the
senate will express its sense Of loss in the
death Of Senator TAYLOR.
The death of Senator Taylor, Of Philadel-
phia, was learned here with great regret. He
was very popular in Legislative circles, and
everybody has kind word for him. The
chaplains of both the senate and the house
referred touchingiy to his death, and the dead
senator's desk was draped in mourning. Sen
ator Taylors death was the result Of a cold
contracted in the cars almost two weeks ago
while ON the way home.