instruments within twenty years. On an ordinary contract within five years, excepting on a "retail store debt," it must be brought within two years. If the creditor is an infant, a married woman, or insane, the period of such condition is additional, excepting that in all cases the action must be brought within twenty years. All real actions within fifteen years, east of the Allegheny Mountains: within ten years west of same. No new promise will take an obligation out of these periods unless in writing.

Married Women.-The real and personal property of any female married after April 4, 1877, owned at the time of her marriage, and the rents, issues and profits thereof, and any property, real or personal, acquired by a married woman as a separate and sole trader, is not subject to the disposal of her husband nor liable for his debts; but is her separate and sole property. Any such married woman has power to contract in relation thereto, or for the disposal thereof, and may sue and be sued as if she were a femme sole, except that her husband must join in any contract in reference to her real or personal property other than such as she may acquire as a sole trader, and must be joined with her in any action by or against her.

Qualifications for Voting.-Every male citizen of the U. S., residence in State twelve months, in county three months, in town or district three months, and twenty-one years of age.

Wills. Any person over 21 may make a will of real estate; any one over 18 a will of personal property. Wills must be in writing signed by the testator, or by some one in his presence by his direction. If the will is wholly in the handwriting of the testator no witnesses are necessary. Other wills must be signed, or the will acknowledged in the presence of at least two witnesses present at the same time. These witnesses must subscribe the will in the presence of the testator.

SPECIAL LAWS OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

Arrest. The defendant may be arrested and held to bail in a civil action for the recovery of personal property unjustly detained, when it has been concealed, removed, or disposed of, so that it cannot be found, or with intent to deprive the plaintiff of the benefit thereof; where he has been guilty of fraud in incurring the debt or obligation, or in concealing or disposing of the property, for the taking, detention, or conversion of which the action is brought; where he has or is about to dispose of his property with intent to defraud creditors; or in an action for injuring or wrongfully taking, detaining, or converting property; or in an action for money or property embezzled or converted.

Assignments.-The debtor must petition the District Court. There must be annexed to the petition a sworn schedule of the creditors and the debts owing to them; also an inventory of the property. The creditors elect the assignee, who gives a bond. The debtor is discharged, unless he has been guilty of fraud.

Chattel Mortgages must be accompanied by the affidavit of the mortgagor that it was made in good faith and without design to hinder, delay or defraud creditors.

In a mortgage of property exempt from execution the wife must join.

The property may be taken into possession by the mortgagee, when the debt is due, or, if it is not due, when he has reasonable ground to believe that his debt is insecure, and that by leaving the property in the hands of the mortgagor, he is in danger of losing the debt.

Chattel mortgages are binding until six years after they become due.

Stock-in-trade may be mortgaged, but the mortgagor can not sell, if the mortgagee prevents him, and goods subsequently purchased would not be covered by the mortgage.

Descent and Distribution of Property.-Real estate as follows: If there is a husband or wife surviving and

only one child, in equal shares to each; if more than one child, one-third to surviving consort, and residue to children equally; if there are no children, the surviving consort takes one-half, the other half going to the decedent's father and mother; if none, then to brothers and sisters; if no children, father, mother, brother or sister, the whole estate goes to surviving consort; if none of these, to next of kin. No dower.

Personal property goes the same way as real estate, except that if the intestate leaves a husband or wife and issue, the husband or wife takes half; if no children, the surviving consort takes the whole.

Executions. Against property issue of course within five years from recovery of judgment, and afterwards on notice to judgment debtor when affidavits show that judgment is unsatisfied. Real property sold under execution may be redeemed within six months.

Exemptions. To a householder, all wearing apparel; private libraries; family pictures and keepsakes; beds necessary; other household goods to value of $150; two cows with their calves, five swine; two stands of bees, twenty-five domestic fowls; provision and fuel for six months. A farmer may keep one span of horses and harness, or two yoke of oxen, one wagon; farming utensils worth $200. Mechanic's tools of trade are exempt to value of $500; a physician's library, horse and carriage, instruments and medicines; the libraries of attorneys and clergymen to value of $500; fire-arms; small boat not worth more than $50; team of drayman. To a person engaged in logging, three yoke of work oxen and implements to the value of $300.

The homestead of a householder with a family is exempt to the value of $1,000. The word "homestead" must be entered in the margin of the record of title.

Interest. The legal rate in absence of express agreement is ten per cent., but the parties may contract for any

rate.

Judgments.-Are liens on real estate for five years and lien may be revived on affidavit and notice.

Limitations.-Actions to recover real estate must be brought within ten years; on written agreement or contract within six years; on oral agreements three years.

Married Women.-Hold property owned at time of

marriage, or acquired afterwards by gift, bequest, devise, or descent, free and clear from control of husband, or liability for his debts. All other property acquired by either husband or wife during marriage is community property.

Wills. Any male person over 21 and any female over 18 may make a will. Wills must be signed by the testator or by some person under his direction. A will must be attested by two or more witnesses, who must subscribe their names in the presence of the testator. A nuncupative will of more than $200 in value can only be made in testator's last sickness, and must be proved by two or more witnesses. Such wills must be proved within six months.

SPECIAL LAWS OF WEST VIRGINIA.

Arrest.-An order for the arrest of a defendant in an action or suit may be made by the court in which the action is pending, or by the Judge or clerk thereof in vacation, upon the affidavit of the plantiff or some credible person, showing satisfactorily the nature and justice of the plaintiff's claim, the amount affiant believes the plaintiff entitled to recover in the action, and the existence of one or more of the grounds for arrest, to wit: 1st. That the defendant has removed or is about to remove any of his property out of the State with intent to defraud his creditors; or 2d. That he has converted or is about to convert his property or any part thereof into money or securities with like intent; 3d. That he has assigned, disposed of or removed his property or any part thereof, or is about to do so, with like intent; or 4th. That he has property or rights in action which he fraudulently conceals; or 5th. That he fraudulently contracted the debt or incurred the liability for which the action or suit is brought; or 6th. That he is about to leave the State and reside permanently in another State or country without paying ti e debt or liability for which the action is brought. When sufficient cause is thus shown, upon plaintiff or some one for him giving

bond with good security in penalty double the amount sworn to, such Court, Judge or clerk shall make an order for arrest of defendant, and that he be held to bail for such sum as is proper. The defendant will be committed to jail unless he gives bond conditioned to disclose all his property and transfer the same to satisfy the judgment or decree, or in case of failure to satisfy the judgment or decree. So after judgment the defendant may be compelled by arrest and imprisonment to disclose all his property and transfer to the officer having execution sufficient to pay the same. Having done this, he must be released. The right to an order of arrest extends no farther than this. Assignments.-Preferences are allowed. The assignment must be acknowledged, and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County Court of the county where the property assigned is situated. No inventory is required to be filed, except, on the sale of property, an inventory of the property sold. The assignee is not required to give a bond, nor any notice for creditors to present claims. The assignee has a reasonable time in which to declare dividends. He is entitled to five per cent. commissions. The debtor is not discharged.

Chattel Mortgages are seldom, if ever, used. Deeds of trust take their place, and the trustee will sell the property when required by the creditor, after the debt is due.

Descent and Distribution of Property.-Real estate: first, to children and descendants; if there is no child, etc., to father; if no father, then to mother, brothers and sisters, and descendants; if none of these, one-half to the paternal and the other half to maternal kindred, as in Virginia. The widow has dower.

Personal property goes the same way, except that a husband, if there are children, takes one-third; if no children, he takes the whole; if there is a widow and children, she gets one-third; if no children, she is entitled to the whole.

Divorce. The plaintiff must have resided in the State one year. Causes: (1) Adultery; (2) impotency; (3) willful abandonment for three years; (4) sentence to penitentiary; (5) pregnancy of wife at time of marriage by another person without husband's knowledge; (6) where wife had unknown to husband been notoriously a prostitute before marriage; (7) where the husband had been notoriously immoral.