BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES 491

Such person is called the "referee in case of need." It is in the option of
the holder to resort to the "referee in case of need" or not, as he may
see fit.

Chapter XL—Acceptance of Bills of Exchange.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 151. 1912, sec. 151. 1904, sec. 151. 1898, ch. 119.

151. The acceptance of a bill is the signification by the drawee of his
assent to the order of the drawer. The acceptance must be in writing and
signed by the drawee. It must not express that the drawee will perform his
promise by any other means than the payment of money.

See notes to sec. 160.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 152. 1912, sec. 152. 1904, sec. 152. 1898, ch. 119.

152. The holder of a bill presenting the same for acceptance may re-
quire that the acceptance be written on the bill, and if such request is re-
fused, may treat the bill as dishonored.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 153. 1912, sec. 153. 1904, sec. 153. 1898, ch. 119.

153. Where an acceptance is written on a paper other than the bill
itself, it does not bind the acceptor, except in favor of a person to whom
it is shown, and who, on the faith thereof, receives the bill for value.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 154. 1912, sec. 154. 1904, sec. 154. 1898, ch. 119.

154. An unconditional promise in writing to accept a bill before it is
drawn is deemed an actual acceptance in favor of every person who, upon
the faith thereof, receives the bill for value.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 155. 1912, sec. 155. 1904, sec. 155. 1898, ch. 119.

155. The drawee is allowed twenty-four hours after presentment in
which to decide whether or not he will accept the bill; but the acceptance, if
given, dates as of the day of presentation.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 156. 1912, sec. 156...1904, sec. 156. 1898, ch. 119.

156. Where a drawee to whom a bill is delivered for acceptance de-
stroys the same, or refuses within twenty-four hours after such delivery,
or within such other period as the holder may allow, to return the bill
accepted or non-accepted to the holder, he will be deemed to have accepted
the same.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 157. 1912, sec. 157. 1904, sec. 157. 1898, ch. 119.

157. A bill may be accepted before it has been signed by the drawer,
or while otherwise incomplete, or when it is overdue, or after it has been
dishonored by a previous refusal to accept, or by non-payment. But when
a bill payable after sight is dishonored by non-acceptance and the drawee
subsequently accepts it, the holder, in the absence of any different agree-
ment, is entitled to have the bill accepted as of the date of the first
presentment.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 158. 1912, sec. 158. 1904, sec. 158. 1808, ch. 119.

158. An acceptance is either general or qualified. A general acceptance
assents without qualification to the order of the drawer. A qualified ac-
ceptance in express terms varies the effect of the bill as drawn.
See notes to sec. 160.