The age-herald., 1898-02-22
special to The Age-Hera1d.

lne SuDJecI or conSldefaDle IaVofaDle cOitk- ment here. All of the attorneys acknowl- edge 1t Is vastly superior to the old code in almost every particular. An Age-Herald correspondent today interviewed Code Commissioner Martin relative to the most important changes provided for in the new compilation of the laws. Among other things he said:
 Much attention was given the statutes relating to the administration of estates of decedents. A representative Is not nec- essarily required to give bond to cover the value of real estate unless sale is de- sired (66). All claims must be sworn to Q33). The act of Dec. g, 1S96, amended section 2081 of the code of 1886. so that claims must be presented within twelve months instead of eighteen months after grant of letters. The joint committee amended other sections of the code to carry out the policy indicated by this amend ment, the result being to cut down from eighteen to twelve months the time within which estates are to be administered and settled. Corresponding reductions as to time are made in reference to insolvent estates. The statute of limitations is suspended when a claim is duly presented (2S1O. But, upon notice suit must be brought on a disputed claim within six months (2S1S). Other changes are found in sections 51, 66, n, IS, S1, S2, S3, S5, S6, S7, 90, 91, 92, 12S, 129 13O, 1S1, 133, 145, 14s, l49 159 162, 163, 167 169, ITO. ITS, 190 191 192, 194, 254, 3O1 3O6, BOT, 316. 327 and 359, besides those made by the joint committee and noted at the bottom of the page.
 Agriculture.
 Among the changes in this chapter at tention may be called to sections 3S1-3S7, providing safeguards against fraud upon the state in the purchase, sale and use of tags for commercial fertilizers.
 Chancery Courts.
 "The sheriff, instead of the register, is re- quired to certify the absence of the chan cellor-647, 64S. The chancellor is reduced to half pay while his place Is filled by an- other, in certain cases-652 Women are made eligible to the office of register in chancery-653. The register is given pow CT to administer paths generally-657 The rule requiring two witnesses, etc., to over come a sworn answer is modifed-6S0 Sum- mons may issue and be served on a non : resident defendant if found in the state 6S7. A defendant who has been personally served may be attached and compelled to answer-692. Provision is made for the ex- animation of parties by interrogatories very much as at law-715-719. The com- pensation of commissioners to take depo- sitions Is fixed at twenty cents per hundred words, besides one dollar and half per day and five cents per mile for necessary time and travel-73S.
 Chooses in Action.
 Sealed instruments are made negotiable the same as promssory notes when they possess the other requisite qualities-S69.
 Circuit Courts.
 Some slight changes are made in sections 89S, 910, 913, 917, BPS, 929 and 930, relating to the place of holding courts, time of talk ing up the criminal docket, the return of process issuing from an adjourned term, and compensation of the judge when place filled by special judge.'
 Conveyances.
 Power of attorney to enter satisfaction of liens or mortgages are admitted to re- cord Contracts for conditional sales must be in writing and recorded in thirty days else they are void as against creditors and purchasers without notice-1017 In this connection may be noted a provision in sec tion AFT which authorizes the defendant when sued for the property by the vendor to have the amount of the debt ascer- tained and to pay the debt and costs and keep the property"
 Corporations.
 Slight changes are made in sections 1893, HOO, 1101, 1103, 1105 1145 1166 11SS, 11s9 125o, 12S6, 1287, 12SS, 12S9 1290 1316 1921, 1922 1923, and 1924; section 12S6 prohibiting the use of the name of another corporation, or the name of a person or firm as a corpo- rate name.
 Costs and Fees.
 "A rule is prescribed for calculating fig ures, initials and abbreviations Q369) And all special or local laws giving greater fees than those prescribed by the code are repealed, so that the public may know where to look for cost bills without search ing legislative acts of past generations
 Descents and Distributions.
 "The rule is so changed as to put the husband or wife above collateral relations, except descendants of brothers and sis ters of the intestate Q453)
 Detinue.
 Section 1477 is rewritten to include the case of conditional sale, as hereinbe- fore stated section 147S is rewritten so that any defense except the statute of limita- tions may be pleaded in the action of deti- nue that might be set up to a suit for the debt. nr
 Evidence.
 "A witness may be examined touching his convictions for crime without producing the record of his conviction s11796). The execution of an instrument may be proved by the maker without producing or ac- counting for attesting witnesses Q79D. Transcript of books and papersx kept in any public office are admissible when certified by the paper custodian QS16). The secretary Of state may certify transcripts of statutes deposited in Supreme Court library dS2D. The deposition of any state officer or head of a department or bureau ef the state government may be taken CS33). The fees of commissions to take depositions are prescribed the same as in chancery QS49).
 Exemptions.
 "The statute exempting the wages or salary of laborers to the extent of $25 per month from the levy under writs of gar nshment or other process, is thought to be rendered efficacious by the joint com mittees amendment to the effect that every such levy is void (203S). Sections 2092-2096 are intended to remedy a defect in the existing law and to provide for ex- emptions to. the widow and minors when the homestead, after being rendered to its lowest practicable area, is incapable of allotment. Section 21O1 dispenses with the necessity of actual residence on the homestead after being set apart to widow and minors. in order to avoid forfeiture.
 Frauds and Perjuries.
 "Section 2154 makes the report oN sale by a judicial officer sufficient memorandum of the safe under the statute of frauds"
 GarnIshmcnt.