Evening star., 1901-12-03
TIL E DISTRICT CODE
AMENDMENTS PROPOSED IN sENA-
TOR PRIrCHARD's BILL.
Number OF Justices of Peace Reduced
TO EiHht-Duties More
Clearly Defined.

A hlll was introduced in the Senate yester-
DAY by Mr.. fritchard embodying numer-
Gus proposed amendments to the District OF
Columbia code of laws, which goes into
effect January l. These amendments were
proposed by the Bar Association of the
District of Columbia. 1t is expected that
the bill will be acted on before the code
goes into effect.
The bill provides for eight instead of ten
justices of the peace and sttpulates that
no justice of the peace, during his term OF
Office, shall engage in the practice of the
law. subject to a penalty of removal from
his office. 1t also strikes out at the end
of the section relating to justices of the
peace the words: I'm any suit brought be-
fore a justice of the peace the defendant,
his agent or attorney, may have the cause
removed to the next nearest justice, upon
filing an affidavit with the justice issuing
the writ, on the return day or day of trial
of the action. that he does not believe said
justice will give him a fair and impartial
trial"
Wrfts of Execution.
Section II is also amended by adding the
words: Justices of the peace are au-
thorized to issue writs of execution in
all cases in which they are authorized
to render judgment. judgment en-
tered by justice of the peace shall re-
main in force for three years and no more
after its rendition, unless the same shall
have been docketed in the Supreme Court
of the District of Columbia as provided
by section 29.
Provision is made regulating the conduct
of justices of the peace in the discharge of
their duties. 1t provides terms in which
the affairs of infants, habitual drunkards
and lunatics shall be adjudicated in court
In the case of persons shown to be habitual
drunkards the court may appoint some fit
to nnrfHy Inxxy
relating to the probating of wills is amend
ed. The appointment of "crier and mes
senger' to the courts is provided for
The duties and responsibilities of admins
traitors and executors of estates is more
fully defined. The release of dover,
acknowledgment of deeds or contracts out
side of the District and towns when deeds
shall take effect and manner Of recording
mortgages defined. Section 621 is
amended follows:
Section 621. Loans to stockholders.-No
loan of money shall be made by any COM
pany upon the security, in whole or in part
of its own stock; and if any such loan shall
be made, the trustee officer authorizing
the same shall be responsible to the cor
poration therefor: Provided, That nothing
herein contained shall be held to release
the borrower in such case from liability
to the corporation"
Life Insurance Transactions.
The following amendment relates to life
insurance transactions:
Each life insurance company, benefit
order and association doing a life insur-
ance business in the District of Columbia
shall deliver with each policy issued by it
a copy of the application made by the in
sured SO that the whole contract may ap-
pear in said application and policy, in de-
fault of which no defense shall be allowed
to such policy on account Of anything con-
tanned in, or omitted from, such applica-
ton
Penalties are provided against persons
stealing. destroying, mutilating, secreting
Withholding a will. Causes for divorce
are defined. There are numerous amend
ments to the law applying to real estate
transa ctionS.