Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 February 1909 — LEGISLATIVE DOINGS. [ARTICLE]

LEGISLATIVE DOINGS.

The state legislature is now getting down to business a little and a few bills have been passed in both branches. Among those of general importance passed by the senate are the following: Increasing the amount of mortgage exemption from S7OO to SI2OO. Providing that jury commissioners shall fill all vacancies arising on any jury panel by drawing names from the regular jury box, thus putting the professional juror out of business. When the names in the box have all been drawn, and it is necessary for the commissioners to obtain a new list of men eligible for jury service, thereby delaying the trial, the court would be empowered to select jurymen to fill vacancies. Men selected in this manner, however, can not serve longer than the time necessary to try the case in hearing. At the completion of the case in hearing the jury commissioners must fill the vacancies, those selected serving the remainder of the court term. The following Mils of general interest have been passed by the house: Providing for the re-establish-ment of abandoned country schools when attendance warrants. Increasing the per capita appropriation for the Lafayette Soldiers’ Home from $12.50 to $16.00 per month. Providing that the costs follow the case in an appeal from a justice of the peace to the Circuit Court. Up to Saturday night about 250 bills had been introduced in each branch. About 100 of these in each house were for the repeal of present laws, most of which were passed by the legislature of two years ago.