Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 July 1895 — ABOUT THE NEW LAWS. [ARTICLE]

ABOUT THE NEW LAWS.

The following is a brief abstract of the features of generaUinterest in the acts of the last which by the Governors prodamation have just gone into effect. Chapter 15 exempts cemetery corporations, which can derive no pecuniary benefits from their incorporation, from taxation. Chapter 16 provides that where free gravel roads are built along the lines of existing highways, and by making cut-offs, or detours, abandon parts of the old highways, the parts so abandoned shall revert to the parties over whose land they pats. Chapter 19 amends the tax law. It defines real-estate and personal property. It also provides some searching interrogatories for assessors to propose to tax-payers, to ascertain if in any manner they are administrators, guardians or agents etc., of other’s property; also to ascertain if the tax payer is trying to cover his property by temporarily converting it into nontaxable U. S. securities. The act is quite extensive and specifies at length what kinds of property are to be listed for taxation and the forms of assessment sheets.

Chapter 20, a very voluminous act, provides a system of pensions for firemen in cities. The act is compulsory in cities of more than 30,000 population, and may be adopted voluntarily by cities of less population. Chapter 21 established a state soldiers’ home, which has already been located at Lafayette. Chapter 33 says that hedges or other live fences on dividing lines of different owners shall be trimmed every year, to not higher than 5 feet. If the owner don’t trim them the township trustee must have it done, at the owner’s expense, on complaint' of any adjoining property owners. Chapter 36 is also in regard to taxation, and more especially it regulates the method of equalizing assessments. Chapter 42, provides for the refunding of debts of cities and towns.

Chapter 45 is the new libel law. If the article was published in good faith, and proper retraction was made when the mistake was brought to the publisher’s notice, then the injured party can collect only actual and not punitive damages. In trials for criminal libel, all circumstances connected with the publication can be shown, in mitigation, including proof of mistake, and of explanations or retractions subsequently published.

Chapter 46 is the horse racing law. It forbids winter racing, and also forbids more than three race meetings a year, of not more than 15 days each. This law has already been sustained by the Supreme Court, and is calculated to wipe out the gambling institution at Iloby. Chapter 48 gives the Governor, Auditor and Treasurer of State power to borrow money to pay state debts. Chapter 51 compels railroads in towns of more than 100 population to provide and maintain separate water closets for men and women. A fine of $25 to SSOO for violation. Chapter 52 extensively amends and adds to the law concerning voluntary associations, for all Borts of business, social and charitable purposes. Chapter 53 is to organize the Indiana Militia, and is 24 pages in length. It appropriates $45,000 each year for a military fund. Chapter 54 amends the school law in regard to the method of enumerating children of school ages.

Chapter 51 is the senatorial and representative apportionment act Benton, Newton, Jasper and White are joined together as a senatorial district Newton and Jasper are left together to form a representative district The proposition to pot Jasper, Newton, White and Pulaski together with two joint representatives, having been abandoned.

Chapter 57 reorganized the State Soldiers’ Monument Commission. Chapter 58 makes it unlawful for fire insurance companies to insert in their policies what is known as ( the co-insurance clause. Chapljr 63 amends the township free gravel road' law. When several roads or parts of roads are included in one petition, they must be voted on as a unit. Bonds issued under this law are hereafter to run ten years, instead of six, as heretofore. These roads are to be kept in repair by the counties, the same as other free gravel roads. —~ Chapter 73 makes it the duty of Township - Trustees to keep a register of township orders and warrants issued by them, and a full showing of the townships’ business ip general, and to publish the same annually, in some newspaper of general circulation in the county. A penalty of SIOO is prescribed for failure to comply with this law.

Section 74 places the control of the State’s prisons in the hands of a Board of Prison Directors, to be appointed by the Governor, Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Attorney General. Chapter 85 exempts from work on the highways, persons physically unable to work and too poor to pay. Also all bonafide members of legally organized fire companies. Chapter 87 directs that hereafter convicts in state’s prisons shall, on the expiration of their sentences, be taken back to the county they were sent from to be released.

Chapter 88 defines and enlarges the powers of incorporated cities, in many ways. Such, for instance as to designate where saloons may be kept, to confine them to the business portions of the city, and to regulate and control them in many ways. To regulate speed of horses and vehicles; to compel 100 owners to plant shade trees etc. etc. ' Chipter 94 provides that when the only justice in a township grants a change of venue, a disinterested attorney may be appointed a special justice to try the case, if the. parties to the suit agree. Chapter 100 repeals the law for the enrollment of ex-soldiers, their widows and orphans. Chapter 101 fixes the pay of County Assessors at $3.00 per day, and limits the number of days in each year, of their official employment. In this county the limit would be 150 days. Their pay cannot exceed the amount of taxes on property they place on the duplicate.— . Chapter 102 changes the time of electing County Superintendents from Ist Monday in June to Ist Monday in September. Chapter 103 is the Congressional bill. The 10th district as constituted by this act, comprises the counties of Tippecanoe, Warren, Benton, White, Jasper, Newton, Lake, Porter and LaPorte.

Chapter 106 provides for the appointment of shorthand reporters, in all cases where either party requests it The pay is 5 cents a 100 words, to be paid by the party requiring the transcript. Chapter 109 forbids any person selling, offering for sale, giving away or circulating in any manner papers of the character of Police Gazettes. Penalty fropa $lO to SIOO. Newsdealers take note of this. Chapter 114 requires railroads to properly grade or plank its street crossings, in towns and cities, to make them safe for life and property. Chapter 121 provides that honorably discharged Union soldiers shall have free county licenses to peddle goods, fruit, etc., in any county, upon application to the county auditor. Chapter 124 provides that a meridian line of not less than 100 nor more than 1000 feet, shall be marked at each county seat, by order of the Commissioners, on application of the County Surveyor. *