The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-07
Our Latest Laws.

Tho annual volume OF Session Laws con-
tanning the statutes enacted by the last
Legislature has just been published at Al
bany under the direction Of the Secretary OF
State. It contains Ss9 chapters and four
concurrent resolutions. Tho number Of laws
pAssed by the Legislature OF 1880 was the
smallest number enacted at any session
during the last ton years.
Tho tendency to increase the number of
statutory crimes, which has lately been man.
Tested by our lawmakers. was not 30 evil
dent In the Legislature OF 1890 rs in some OF
It's predecessors. We find only four new
crimes. II there are more, they have escaped
our attention. An act to regulate the
execution and transfer OF promissory
notes given for farm products re-
quires that such notes. under Cor
tain circumstances, shall havo the words,
"gtven for speculative consideration" or
other words clearly showing the nature OF
the consideration, prominently written or
printed on the face Of tho note; and the
statute further provides that such note
In the hands of any purchaser or
holder shall DO subject to the same de-
fences as in the hands OF the original
owner or holder. The act makes 1t misdc-
mssnor for any person to take sell. or trans
fer such a promissory note given for farm
products without having the required state
Enent written thereon II tho person knows
tho consideration to be speculative. An
amendment to the Penal Code makes 1t a
uisdemeanor for any officer or employee OF
q railroad corporation to wilfully obstruct or
CAUSE to DO obstructed any farm OF highway
crossing with any locomotive or car for q
l0ngcr period than five consecutive minutes.
Tho new law which cnnfers upon tho State
Railroad Commissioners power to compel
thelishting and ventilation OF steam rallroad
tunnels provides for the criminal punishment
Of any corporation which dlsobcys such
orders as tho statute authorizes the Railroad
Commissioners to make. The dlsobcdience
q such orders Is declared to be a mlsdo-
mesnor punishable by nne of ono thou
sand dollars. and an additional fine OF five
hundred dollars day for each and every
day after thirty days from the data OF tho
service OF the order. during which the corpo-
ration refuses or neglects to obey it. Still an
other misdemeanor. punishable only by fine,
however. Is based upon the new statutory
provision forb!dding lIfo insurance com.
pAnies to mako any distinction or dis
Ortmination between white persons and
colorsd persons as to tho premiums or rates
charged for policies. The party or parties
violating this prohibition may DO fined not
Ices than $50 or more than $500.
30 much for the new crimes of 1891. As to
Akhsr legislation, the concurrent resolutions
which were favorably acted upon by the
last Legislature providing for amendments
to the State Constitution may be deemed
the most important These arc two In mum.
Der: ono empowering tho courts instead OF
the Legislature to pass upon the election.
return. and qualifications Of any member Of
either House Of the Legislature when dis
puted or contested; tho othcr charging tho
Court OF Appeals 20 - TO Increase it, parma
nent membership from seven to hfteen. and
allowing 1t to sit In two or moro divisions.
The Legtslsturs Ignored the recommends
ton Of the judiciary Commission appointed
by tho 0overnsr last year to formulate q plan
for the rslief ef the Court Of Appeals, and
preferred to enlarge tho tribunal q pro-
posed BY Nh NAT1IHun O. MoAx Of AL
bany. instsad0f KNITTING it, jurisdiction end
leaving The number o6 Judges - now
Among the moro important statutes In
this volume may b mentioned tho aot CIV
ing each party to . civil suit In . court Of
record right 10 ehsllsnsS four jurors per.
smptortly, that = to w Without assigning
any Cause fes tas sAAa|sqss, tnstesd q tive;