Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-03-09

cused OF ii capital ohense 70 eject TO be
tried i in the Circuit Court was abolish
ed. The constitutional amendment,
necessitated by the decision in the
Mary Miller case, providing for the
trial of minor ollenses without q jury,
again passed both houses and will be
submitted to the people next fall.
Husband and wife will now be com
petent to testify for or against each 9TH
er in civil cases, except suits to set
aside conveyances from one to the 9TH
er on the ground of fraud, and divorce
proceedings. Either may testify in be-
half of the other in criminal proceed
ings, but the failure Of either so to tes-
Gfy shall not create any presumption
against the accused, nor be the subject
of comment before the court or jury by
the prosecuting attorney. Commune
cations during marriage from n to
the other cannot be introduced with
out mutual consent.
Tne list of exemptions from jury
service has been much reduced.
When a corporation is in the hands
of a receiver, process may now be
| served on the receiver.
Some minor changes have been made
in the laws as to the return of attach
ments. The county courts are empow-
| cred to correct certain errors in appeal
ed and removed warrants for small
claims, without remanding them to the
Justice.
A creditor is now allowed to insti-
tute a proceeding under section 2460 of
the code to set aside a fraudulent con-
veyance, whether his claim be due or
not.
There has been the customary tinker
ing upon the mechanics lien law and
some amendments have been made.
The recent decision of the Court of
Appeals that q deed of trust or mort
gage upon personal property in another
State need not be recorded in this State
when the property is brought here, has
been met by a law providing for the
recordation of the deed of trust or mort
gage in this State under such circum-
stances.
1t has been decided that a judges
law partner shall not practice law in
the county in which the judges court
is held, and a clerk or deputy clerk of
a county court cannot practice law in
the Circuit Court of his county, nor can
a clerk or deputy clerk of a Circuit
Court practice law in his County Court.
The present system of personal sure
tyship for fduciaries and public officers
is felt to be a hardship upon the surety
and an insufficient indemnity to the as
sured. Laws have therefore been pass
ed allowing any person required by the
laws of the State to give bond, to fur
nish as surety a surety company and
providing stringent regulations to Sc
cure the solvency and accountability OF
such companies.
Among the laws of general interest
which have been passed are the cruelty
to animals bill; the Withrow bill pro-
viding that legislative charters shall be
void unless the tax thereon is paid in
ninety-days; a dog law from the opera
ton of which many counties were ex-
cluded by their members; and bills to
regulate the practice of medicine,
dentistry, embalming, and pharmacy.
A fertilizer bill was passed, provid-
ing among other things that the license
tax for manufacturing an annual out
put Of less than ten tons shall be $40.
The present license tax of 500 will al
low q manufacturer to register ten
brands: after that he must pay $40 ad-
d tional for each brand.
Building and loan companies have
been the objects of legislative attention
in two bills passed in reference to them;
one prescribing their duties, powers,
and limitations, and the other impos-
ing a license tax upon them, graded &C
cording to their capital. 1t is estimated
that the tax bill will bring into the
treasury some $50, 900 to $685. 900 ofaddi-
tional revenue.
The Nicol bill for the organization of
State banks of issue when the 10 per
cent. tax shall have been repealed, pas
sed both houses.
Under the head of important legisla-
ton touching legal matters may be
mentioned the following bills which
were passed:
Reducing period in which divorce
may be granted for desertion from five
to three years.
Declaring certain fees paid on court
charters properly and rightly the money
of the State, saving-some $4,000 to the
Commonwealth.
Allowing appeal to county or cor
~poration courts in matters of $ or
under $40.
To make the property Of infants who
engage in mercantile or other business
liable for their debts.
The State Bar Association bills went