The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-29

JOHN GARLAND POLLARD.
the conduct Of public institutions. and
such other subjects as would seldom CAIN
the attention Of the practitioner 'hele
ara still numerous and important changes
Of which no lawyer can anord 10 oe
ignorant. They are not, OF course loi
the most part radical IN their nature
out relate principally TO details OF pioce-
dure. ,
The laws. public and private. passed
b.. the General Assembly recently ad-
tourped Will probably cover about l'Ve
oar.s The scores OF charters granted
Ia CORPORATIONS indicate that concenua-
ton Of capital is the tendency or the age
and that independent individual enter
,rise IS waning while the usual large
lumber OF acts FOR the prolecuOh ga
nsh. oysters and game attest the e7lcu-
rean proChviues OF our legislators
The object OF this article is 70 give
resume OF the changes IN our general
statutes made by tho last assembly oul
space will not ermit even mention
of each new law. Only therefore, some
OF the laws OF most common apphcauo"
will be referred 10. And II VIII not DC
attempted in 50 short an article 10 give
accurately tho fun purport OF the laws
referred 10, but simply TO call attention
10 the fact that they are on our statute
books. and 10 siye some slight idea Oh
their nature
LIEN OF SUPPLY MEN.
Among the most important acts Of the
legislature were the statutes rendering
more effective the liens Of mechanics
iaborers and those furnishing materials
in the construction of buildings ana ran
roads The first were IN amendment 10
section 2i1J and 4l6 OF the Code' 10
statute is broadened by the Introduction
M the word 'laborer." who is specifically
given the same lien as general and SUI
contractors. Tho lien under these sec
lions is also made 10 apply 10 railroads
ag well as 10 buildings or structures. 1Ae
lime within which the lien must be claim
ga fs extended from thirty 10 sixty days
Under section 24s6 OF the Code as
amended by chapter oH or the Acts en-
ulovees and persons furnishing suppile9
10 railroads, canals ana Lanspoi 'I.,o 80
comnsuies are entitled 10 lien Wlthlh
ninety dsvs after the last iten OF their
biu becomes due instead Of, as formerly
ninety DAYS from the time the service
WAS rendered or supplies furnished. but
uerhaus the greatest protection iurhlsH-
al workinemon by the legislature was
the passage of chapter sol, Whlch ilaSe7
an assignment or tranfer OF any cebt oue
tho general contractor invalid, unless
aud until the claims Of all suO-coht ac-
Tors surnlv men and laborors are tuily
satisfied. and also makes such debts due
the general contractor not SUBJECT ~
execution or rarnishmcnt until suo-coh-
tractors. supply men and labors are palu'
CORPORATIONS.
Cbaoter 4 provides that in granting a
charter 10 company whose maximum
capital stock does not exceed N1WV the
court may in its discretion Tx tne mum
her a. directors az three, lnciualns nv
rreelaort. and chapter 293 ratiies al
sucn charters heretofore. granted Win a
like number Of directors ChapleF =
vg.ser.nss chat AIN motions or suits
fro.elt for the recovery OF unpaid sun
ecriprIona To- stock shall be brought jill
courts OF common law, and that an peas
atfcnscs and evidence shall be as adiniS
sIll. and have the same cnecl Nh''I0
al tho time The action was brought 'he
company Was solvent or ln1oiNe"'' anu
tlat Che act shall apply 90 all suits mere
,of.~. or hereafter brought. where no
FINAL fudcmsnt or decree on ITS merits
las hrrn rendered. This act IS very I'M
r.riaut and tho wisdom OF the chahs'
b. doubted There may also 10
en-r. doubt as 90 the constitutionauty OF
IT'S retroactive feature.
ghaptor il6 amends section $50 so az
Il, make .hc law relating To- the service
~ process OH "NAf'N ''N''l''t
OFT OF the state. the same as now eNisu
nrder sections 1876 and i2is concerning
service Of process on foreisn insurance
companies.
INSURANCE. COMPANIES.
In ehsuter ga 10 i1 made unlawful 10
aro insurance companies. not incofpo
rated in Virginia. but authorized 20 d'
business here. 20 make contracts or IN
snrance EXCEPT through regularly con
hunted agents of such companies. M
,,.r,itv Tor violation Of the act Is a nm
81 NOT less than 500. or more than S2t
and revocation of license for ninety Gays
Chanfer al prohibits fro insuranc'
comnanios FROM carrying any single ~
f1r more than ten per cent OF ''9 N'tl'
tai or assets or III a mutual company 10
an amount boo excess on i've per N'"'' y
its cash assets 49,
Hereafter hy amendment 20 section llf'
insurance companies. fire and me- can
not he chartered hy the courts. but mus
apply to the legislature. tchap'er -
Chapter Gi3 provides that proceeds IL
weekly or monthly installmcnts 10 IN
solder OF an accident insurance or siti
benefit policy. shall not by any legal pro
cess b. taken for "a debt
Chapter 6i9 makes an important chang
IN section sol whereby no particular form
~ action or declaration shall be neces
sarv on "A policy OF insurance. Thi
change grew out Of the fact that man.
companies were issuing policies In such
forr, that IL was Impossible definitely 4
10 determine whether they were seale'
or unseaicd instruments, and consequent
~ whether an action Of covenant or as
sumpsit would lie The act was passe
10 obviate this difficulty.
LIMITED LIABILITY ON BONDS.
surit.es on bonds required 10 taken
approved by or given before any cour'
board or officer may under chapter IL
OF the Acts limit their liability TO such
sum as they may require and under cnAp
ter sos judgment against a surety sns
No, exoeed the amount thps LIMITED. TIL