The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-18
MANY RADICAL LAWS
ARE NOW N EFFECT
Legislation Enacted BY Last General
Assembly Most Progressive
Ever Passed.
FEATURES IN CUSTER Law


Yesterday laws passed At the last
session Of the General Assembly
which have been characterized as the
mosts radical yet enacted, became ef-
fective. Esta blishing a record for pro-
9ressive legislature unequaled by any
General Assembly In the history of
the State, the laws now in force have
entered a new field up to this dme
| never covered.
The Custer law, which has been the
center of interest, lie not In itself diff
ferent from the law previously on the
books which requires that all officers
see to the proper enforcement OF the
statutes. While this new law does ia
cilitate this enforcement. It's peculiar
features have been overlooked. These
are that any public officer who is found
drunk In public. or is seen In a house
OF gambling. or engaged in any form
OF games Of chance or gambling, how
ever slight, forfeits his once. This
gambling feature covers election bet
ting, what is commonly referred % as
matching" or any of the other / eth
pds which heretofore have been looked
upon as innocent gambling
More drastic In its effect. perhaps.
Is the Red Light bill. Under This
enactment the penalty prescribed for
the use OF houses for immoral pur-
poses is imposed on the owner. any
house that Is shown to be one OF i'll
fame. or in which there is immoral
conduct, whether committed with n
without the knowledge of the owner
fhe law says must be closed for a
period of one year. and all it's furnish
ings sold, the proceeds to become the
property Of the government. This al
% applies to hotels. apartment
houses residences. or any building in
which the acts may be committed,
Food Protected by New Laws.
Numerous laws effecting the pro-
tection OF foods In cold storages gro
reries and markets became effective
yesterday. Products from storage
plants will he inspected and II thought
10 have been held for 100 long a per-
Tod will he considered UNIT .or use.
Green groceries will be required 10
keep their goods under cover rnd pro-
tected from unsanitary conditions,
these same requirements applying 20
the markets
Untrue advertising, or the use OF
statements in advertisement that are
not absolutely the truth. 10 considered
crime under the new law. Mislead-
Ing statements or anything that will
obscure the real meaning OF the adj
versisements will be punishable IN
der this law
The Blue Sky law ia one aimed -
hit promoters Of wild cat schemes Of
trading in stocks or hond~ Under
this Jaw soliciting subscribers 10
worthless stocks in gold mines oil
wells and similar fraudulent enter =
prises Is subject To a penalty.
law FOR the protection Of the far
raer also becomes effective. which re-
auires that all commission MERCHANTS
keep their books open in order that
persons sending their products 70 the
merchants may check up the amount
a. ntcuee received from sales, the date
on which the sale Is made, and see
that all settlements are made within
five DAYS Of such sale.
nrnnAa rds to He Sent to Hospitals.
That druakards he sent TO stat
hospitals and there kept until they I'M
lrove AID their desire for intoxicants
becomes less, is provided for under
Law thar considers drunkenness In
the nature If disease This iaw per-
n1if~ the Incarceration Of the sub
Jeet In the hospital as long as II Is
deemed necessary by the officiais
Another law provides for the EN-
rloyment Of women as deputy clerks
Of courts, and they may also act as
policemen 4---.---.--~
Agricultural employees will hereaf-
Of all contracts made hy them to work
- farm hands. IL being considered
In rceny under The law for the EN-
pIosee 70 accept money on a contract
and not com qlete his full term of ser
vice contracted for.
The age Of consent is raised 70 ff-
teen years ny Law which became eff
fective yesterday.
To drive an automobile while in
toxicated will he considered a crime
under the new law.
II will he considered larceny to
fail 10 pay for goods sent TO resi-
fences on approval
The Torrens system of land regis
tration became effective Yesterday.
Tuherculsr patiaents will be prose-
cnted for not taking every precau-
ton to prevent the spread OF the dis
ease by exercising the greatest care
In expectorating. and in no case will
this he permitted in public places or
Where the public health will he en-
dangered.
Voting ny mail. which permits
travellers and persons out of the city
on the day of election. to send their
ballots through the mails, liz now eff
fcctiye.
Roller Towel Law Explained.
The roller towel acts passed by the
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