The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-09

held by one OF our late Circuit Judges
to be invalid. This bill. by which the
state 10 divided into seventeen cir"
cults. and which makes many changes
In the method of administering Justice
in nisi prius courts IL OF too much
Importance to receive criticism In an
address Of this character. but It 10
suggested that when the Legislature
be given this subject and It's defects.
IL any, remedied.
The bill as passed and approved, was
not the bill as prepared and introduced
into the House by the gentlemen whose
name 1t bears. and I feel sure that It's
imperfections. II they exist. are due TO
the various amendments to which 1t
was subjected, and its hurried passage
on the eve Of fnal adjournment.
CHANGE IN Laws
The principal other statutory
changes effected by the Legislature last
adjourned, In the last half OF the SEES
sion ARE as follows:
The section OF the Code providing
that when not otherwise stipulated,
December 25th. has been amended TO
read November 18th. 80 far as the rent
Is concerned. This act as printed IL
peculiar in its verbiase. 1t purports
to amend Section 1904 Of the Code and
and advances. Unless otherwise slip.
ulated such rent shall become due and
payable on the 18th day OF November
OF the year in which the crop IL
grown As the Legislature left out
the word advances In this act. there
is a question as to when they mature.
ut Is somewhat surprising on read
ing the last volume Of the acts to learn
that the lien heretofore created by the
issuance OF an execution has been
abolished. unless the Judgment or de.
the Probate Judge. except whore the
execution has been actually levied on
personal property. Such, however, 10
the provision of section four Of an act
found on page 273 Of the Acts Of 1903.
an amendment Of Section IL Of tho
Code Of 1896 as to the computation OF
time, by which 1t Is provided that the
first day shall be excluded and the last
included except when the last day Is on
Sunday. when that also shall be ex-
cluded.
"A very important piece of legislo-
ton Is that requiring the examination
of State Banks, and the appointment OF
a State Bank Examiner. This Act pro-
ing business under the State laws shall
be visited and examined at least once
a year by this officer; and, further.
that the treasurer shall, at least twice
a year, call for a report from each of
such banks as to its condition, on soma
day three days prior to the date of the
call. which report must be furnished
within five days. This Act is found on
provisions are designed to sfiord pro
lection to the public from the ill-ad-
vised or dishonest management Of these
institutions.
ITO facilitate the sale for division OF
whom some are minors. or persons Of
unsound mind. the statute now pro-
vides that in such cases 1t shall not be
necessary, as heretofore. to proceed in
but that the tenants who are sui jurls
and the guardians of such minors or
persons of unsound mind. may join in
conveyance which shall be valid,
confirmed by the Probate Court.
The last Legislature has relaxed the
strictness OF the common law rule, pro-
hibiting the wife from tsstifying
when the husband is charged with
abandonment, she Is competent as q
witness against him. The trend OF
modern legislation seems to be in the
direction of altogether removing the
bar against the wife as a witness In
all cases. Such a statute has recently
been enacted in Massachusetts,.
by an Act. approved February q
fees of the parties seeking relief are
to be paid as a part of the costs in all
cases In Probate and Chancery courts.
or courts of like jurisdiction. wherever
a trust. and in all partition suits
AND OTHER ACTS
That provision of the Constitution
which incites to the development 81
thrift, by withholding the suffrage
from those who lack these qualities, IN
supported not only by the Legislation
with regard to the prohibition of child
labor in factories or manufacturing es-
Establishments and the increased appro.
priation for public schools. but as well
by the adoption OF that stringent Law
against vagrancy. which is also prod.
uct OF the last legislature: In this bill
the law, which, IN the child labor law
has prohibited the employment OF those
whom nature humanity ana common
sense alike require should be acquiring
qualities that will enable them to be
useful and helpful citizens of the com.
monwealth. provides that those who
have reached an age when they should
be self-supporting. must work. The
class at whom this legislation 10 aimed
almost without exception. are to be
found within the limits of cities ard
towns. In these their natural habitats
their lack of employment RENTS them
for amusement to the cheapest resorts
where their entertainment is OF tn
most questionable character. and their
associates and associations necessarily
degrading. The rigid enforcement OF
this law will compel these characters
to either secure employment In the
towns or emigrate to- the country
where, of necessity. their influence and
surroundings can not be wholly bad
and where they will be obliged to work
to obtain means OF living.
"As an outcome OF demand Of sew
, eral years standing. the law relating
to the Railroad Commission has been
SO amended as to provide for the cleo
ton of the Commissioners by the pop
ular vote. instead Of their appointment
by the Governor as heretofore.
while this section of the United