The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-31
DIGEST OF THIS
YEARS LAWS.
New York State Library'S
Twelfth Summary.
WORK OF THE AMERICAN SOLOHS.
Progress Made by the State Legis-
latures During 19o1-Thirteen
States Want Senators Elect
ed by Direct Vote.

The New York State Library has Just is
sued its twelfth annual comparative sum
mary and index of legislation covering
the laws passed in 1901 This bulletin,
prepared by Robert Il. Written, Pm. D.,
and J, B. Phillips. Pm. D., digests the
enormous annual output OF legislation SO
as to render available the most recent ex-
perience of other States, enabling those
interested in any specific law to End read
lily what States have recently passed sim
liar laws.
The table of statistics shows that A.
2SS laws have been passed during the past
year
The constitution of Alabama contains
provision to disfranehise the iIliterate ne
gro somewhat similar to the provision
contained in the Louisiana constitution of
1898 and the North Carolina amendment of
1900. The Virginia constitutional conven-
ton, now in session, will doubtless adopt
a similar device. With view to decreas-
ing the negro vote, Maryland has adopted
a ballot law which in effect provides an
educational qualification.
Pennsylvania has adopted greatly
needed constitutional amendment en-
abliEg the Legislature 10 require personal
registration, and West Virginia has sub
mitted a similar amendment
Where Caricatures Are Unlawful.
California has enacted exceedingly dras-
tic laws relative 10 SANDER and carfca-
lures Published articles fmpesehing the
reputation or exposing the natural defects
Of any person were required to be signed
by the author and it was made unlawful
10 publish caricatures of residents of the
State which in any manner reflected on
| the honor, virtue, reputation or business
or political motives of the person cariea-
tured, or intended to expose him TO public
hatred, ridieuIe or contempt.
California has also made it misde-
meanor 10 write, print or distribute an
unsigned circular OF pamphlet intended TO
in3ure or defeat any candidate for nomi-
nation or election 10 any public Office by
rejecting on his personal character or po-
! lItfcal action
| California, Connecticut, Maine and Wis
consin have been added to the list OF
States having voting machine commissions.
/ Election of Senator'S by Direct Vote.
| The Legislatures of Pennsylvania, Geor-
gta and Arkansas appointed committees to
confer with the Legislatures OF other
States TO secure the submission OF an
amendment TO the United States Constitu-
/ ton providing for election Of Senators by
direct vote Of the people. AS result Of
| this movement 13 States have applied to
/ Congress to call convention TO amend
| the Constitution TO accomplish this result.
The decision of the United States Su-
/ preme Court sustaining the illinois Dro-
| gressive inheritance tax has had a
marked effect IN bringing about similar
] legislation in other States. During the
/ past year the inheritance tax has been
| adopted by Minnesota, Utah. Arkansas,
i Washington, Nebraska, North Carolina,
and Colorado.
! Four antitrust laws were passed in 1901,
as against sixteen in 1893 All of the
| laws Of the present year however show
! tendency TO grapple with what is ad-
mittediy the great evil: the driving out
| of competition by unfair means, such as
| factors agreements and local price cut
| ting
New York has abolished common law
marriages, and Minnesota has prohibited
marriage between persons afflicted with
| imbecility, feeble-m indedness, epilepsy, OF
| insanity.
Probation for Lawbreakera.
A number of States have provided pro-
baton officers. who may recommend that
convicted juvenile offenders be released
! On probation, and shall exercise super
| vision over those so released.
| Texas, where the gambler once -four
ished like d green bay tree, has prohibited
| card-playing at any place except a pri-
vate residence.
| The baneful cigarette IS exiled In toto
from Oklahoma. even as a gift. and its
sale prohibited in Massachusetts and Yer
| mont 10 minors.
| During +,e mast year f.oIorsdo bar m
| acted the most thoroughgoing employers
| liability law yet enacted by any American
| State. The act makes the employer.
| whether a person OF corporation. liable
for all injuries resulting from the pegli-
/ gence of any co-empIoye,