Following Contents quoted from “CRAWFORD’S STATUTORY
CONSTRUCTION interpretation of Laws”
Gender, and
Number.-"Fourth.
Words importing the singular may extend and be applied to several persons or
things, words importing the plural number may include the singular, and words
importing the masculine gender may include the feminine I neuter. "17
Joint
Authority.-"Fifth.
Words purporting to give authority to, or direct any act by, three or more
public officers other persons, shall be construed as giving such authority to, or
directing such act by, a majority of such officers or persons." 18
Definitions, Generally.-"In construing
statutes the following words shall have the meaning herein given, unless a con-trary
intention clearly appears." 19
Fiscal Year.-"Ninth. 'Fiscal year,' when used with reference
to the commonwealth or any of its offices, departments, boards, commissions or
institutions shall mean the year beginning December 1st and ending with the
following November 30th, both inclusive." 20
Grantor.-"Eleventh. 'Grantor'
may include every person from or by whom a freehold estate or interest passes
in or by any deed; and 'grantee' may include every person to whom such estate
or interest so passes." 21
Highway,
Public Way, etc.-"
Twelfth. 'Highway,' `townway,"public way' or 'way' shall include a bridge
which is a part thereof." 22
Insane
Person-Lunatic, etc.-"
Fifteenth. Insane person' and 'lunatic' shall include every idiot, non compos,
lunatic and insane and distracted person." 23
Issue. "-" Sixteenth. 'Issue' as applied
to the descent of estates, shall include all the lawful lineal descendants of
the ancestor.” 24
Land, Real Estate, etc.-" Seventeenth. 'Land," lands,' and 'real
estate' shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments, and all rights
thereto and interest therein and 'recorded' as applied to plans, deeds or other
instruments affecting land, shall, as affecting registered land, mean filed and
registered." 25
Month and
Year.-"Nineteenth.
'Month' shall mean calendar month, except when used in a statute providing for
punishment, 'one month' or a multiple thereof shall mean a period of thirty
days or the corresponding multiple thereof ; and 'year' shall mean calendar
year.7) 26
Oath.-" Twenty-first.
'Oath' shall include affirmation in cases where by law an affirmation may be
substituted for an oath." 27
Person.-" Twenty-third.
'Person' or 'whoever' shall include corporations, associations and
partnerships.), 28
Preceding and
Following.-" Twenty-fifth.
'Preceding' or 'following', used with reference to any section of the statutes,
shall mean the section last preceding or next following, unless some other
section is expressly designated in such reference." 29
Spendthrift.-" Thirtieth. 'Spendthrift'
shall mean a person who is liable to be put under guardianship on account of
excessive drinking, gaming, idleness or debauchery." 30
State and United States.-" Thirty-first. 'State,' when
applied to the different parts of the United States, shall extend to and
include the District of Columbia and the several territories; and the words
'United States' shall include said district and territories." 31
Town.-" Thirty-fourth. ' Town ' when
applied to towns or officers or employees thereof, shall include city." 32
Written, In Writing, etc.-" Thirty-eight. ' Written '
and 'in writing' shall include printing, engraving, lithographing, and any
other mode of representing words and letters ; but if the written signature of
a person is required by law, it shall be by his own handwriting, or if he is
unable to write, his mark." 33
Population.-" Forty-one. ' Population ' when used
in connection with the number of inhabitants of a county, city, town, or
district, shall mean the population as determined by the last preceding state
or national census." 34
Computation
of Time-Sunday-Holiday.-"Except as otherwise provided, when the day or the last day for
the performance of any act, including the making of any payment or tender of
payment, authorized or required by statute or by contract, falls on Sunday or a
legal holiday, the act, may, unless it is specifically authorized or required
to be performed on Sunday, or on a legal holiday, be performed on the next
succeeding business day.- 35
