Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 May 1893 — The New Laws In Force [ARTICLE]

The New Laws In Force

The magnificent hew war vessel New York, received its official speed trial Monday, and proved to be the fastest, as she is no doubt the finest war vessel of the cruiser class afloat. The question of the validity of the new fee and salary law is now before the Marion county .jfitcuit court From there it will be pushed to the Supreme Court. The law is so evidently unconstitutional in several particulars that its overthrow is almost a certainty. Chauncey M. Depew says President Cleveland appears to hinrliko a baby with a. locomotive. He adds: “When Mr. Cleveland took the reins of government we were moving along prosperously. The government was on a good solid footing financially. Industries

were flourishing and we had the World’s Fair in prospect, with the belief that it would bring hundreds of millions of dollars into the —eountry from -other- parts of th e world. In spite of all that we, find ourselves in the midst of a financial crisis that is making havoc with everything. But the people wanted a change in the government and they got it..”

Monticello has just had a postoffice election notwithstanding Congressman Hcmmond’s reccomwendation. The election was called by the county chairman and is supposed to be sanctioned by i Postmaster General Bissell. Gustav Lowe, recommended by Mr. Hammond, refused to go into the election. John M. Turner was elected, receiving 288 votes. Union township in which Monticello is situated cast 446 votes for Cleveland last fall, and supposing that all not voting were for Lowe he would only have 158 to 288 for Turner. Such elections always run very light, however, and it is not likely that over fifty democrats are for Lowe. Monticello is only a part of Union township, and the figures given make the best possible showing for Lowe. It is apparent that Congressman Hammond was not consulting his constituents when hemadehfs postoffice recommendations and it is likely that most of them will be set aside.—Logansport Journal. “ We are going to try England’s magnificent policy of free trade and compete with her for the commerce of the world under the natural laws of demand and supply.” So declares the Atlanta Const iiiifion. This talk about “natural laws of supply and demand” is simply absurd, in view of the fact that England pays some $4,000,000 yearly in Subsides to their merchant marine, thus making it possible for British steamers to trade with every port in the world and to fetch and carry to the ends of the earth. A doleful cry would be’raised by this Democratic organ if it was proposed to pay subsidies, or decent mail carriage, to our ships. The Democracy would imitate British free trade, because England wants them to, but they will not follow the British ship subsidy plan, because England does not want them to. Strict fidelity to foreign interests, but treason to our own.

The cry of pessimists of the I Henry George school that while “the lich are growing richer the poor are growing poorer,” a cry which spreads gloom and dangerous discontent, starts with the assertion of Henry George that wages are lowest where capital is abundant and where the best machinery is used. This assertion, like all his main statements, is contrary to facts. Here is the truth from that fair and reliable |

etatistscian, Carroll' D. Wright: “It may be said that machinery has increased the number of unemployed. This, I think, is not true. England has the most maefiinery and the greatest ratio of people employed to population. Russia has the least machinery, and the greatest ratio of unemployed. Machinery means the survival of the greatest number in th e greatest comfort. Wages have doubled since the day of handwork, and while prices of some necessities have increased, most have decreased.”

A BRIEF SUMMART OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTS. The acts of the last State Legislature has been printed and distributed, and are now all in force. Below we give a brief summary of the provisions of those of general interest, and not heretofore noticed at length in these columns: MOVING SCHOOL HOUSES. Township Trustees must get permission from Co.T Superintendent before moving a school house, and must have petition signed by the Trustee and a majority of the school patrons. Must also post notices for 20 days.

CHILDREN AND TOBACCO, . It is unlawful for any person to sell or to give, directly or indirectly, any tobacco or preparation of tobacco, to any child under sixteen, or to persuade, advise or compel any such child to chew of smoke tobacco. Penalty, $lO to SIOO fine and 10 to 30 days in jail. RELEASING MORTGAGES. Holders of recorded mortgages which have been paid off must release them upon the records, when requested, or be compelled to forfeit the sum of $25, to the mortgageor. TOWN& IN DEBT. Towns and cities in debt are authorized to issue bonds to the amount of the debt, and not to exceed the constitutional Inn it. Interest not exceed 6 per cent., bonds not to run more than 15 years, and not to be sold below par. A special tax levy must be made to pay interest and provide a sinking fund for the bonds. The constitutional right of the Governor to appoint the officers for benevolent, penal, reformatory and others state institutions, which was taken away from Governor Hovey, because he was a Republican, was restored to Gov. Matthews, because he is a Democrat. The “age of consent” in femalps was raised to 14 years. It was 12 years, before. It is made unlawful for any agent or officer of any company or corporation to prevent employes from forming or joining labor organizations. It is unlawful to work a child under 14 years, in manufacturing iron, steel, nails, metals, machinery or tobacco; or to work such children more than 8 hours a day, inauy manufacturing business. TOWN AND CITY PARKS. Cities and incorporated towns are authorized to levy a tax to buy land for public parks, and to run in debt for improving the same. As the limit of the levy is only one cent on the SIOO of property, the law is worthless as applied to towns. Not more than S9O a year could be raised in Rensselaer, or not enough in ten years to buy 5 acres on the outskirts.

THE GAME LAW. The lawful quail and pheasant season is now only from Nov. 10th, to January Ist Of wild turkeys from Nov. Ist to Feb. Ist. The gravel road law of 1885 was extensively amended. The most important amendment required the petition to be signed only by a majority of resident land owners a majority of the land being no longer required. TOWNSHIP ELECTIONS. All township officers are to be elected at the general elections in November, hereafter, and hold oifee 4 years. A separate ballot,

on yellow paper in a yellow ballot box, is required. J. TOWNSHIP HARD ROADS. A new law permits one or more townships to vote for the constrution of gravel or paved roads, the election to be ordered by the Commissioners, on petition of 50 freeholders. The roads, when built, are to be paid for in 5 years, for which a tax is levied on all the property of the township or townships building the roads. Towns or cities of less than 30,000 are included in the law, and the tax. BUILDING AND LOAN COMPANIES. Foreign building and loan associations are practically excluded from the state; by onerous restrictions. Domestic associations are placed under state supervision. They must report their condition in July every year to the state auditor, and that officer, if he thinks things look shaky, or his deputies are out of a job, can have the affairs of the association examined into, at the association’s expense, ($5 per day), and if he then deems necessary can order the association wound up. If president and secretary of assccia-' tions fail to make reports, they can be. fined not to exceed 8100. DEPUTY TOWN MARSHALS. Town Boards may appoint deputy, town marshals, not to exceed one for each ward, to have the

powers of constables in executing the orders and ordinances of the Board, and their terms, salaries, &c., to be regulated by the Board. They are subject to the orders of the Town Marshal, under the"“general direction of the Town Board. TRAINS AND CROSSINGS. Freight train conductors who leave trains standing on street, road or farm crossings, can be fined from $3 to S2O. They must cut their train and leave 60 feet space at the crossings. ROAD SUPERVISORS. All Road Supervisors are hereafter to be appointed by Township Trustees. Terms the samp as now provided by law.