ART. 27 ] FRAUD—CONVERSION OF CONSIGNED GOODS. 163

imprisoned in the penitentiary for a term not more than ten
years or less than one year, or be fined not more than five thous-
and dollars or less than five hundred dollars, or both in the dis-
cretion of the court.

Fraud—Conversion by Factors of Consigned Goods.

1890, ch. 619.

92 A. Every factor, commission merchant or consignee, and
every person selling on commission any farm products of persons
within this State, such as vegetables, fruit, grain, tobacco, poul-
try, eggs, cattle, swine or any other farm products whatsoever,
shall require of every purchaser at the time of making such sale
or sales to deposit with such factor, commission merchant, con-
signee or agent the full market value of all vessels such as crates,
boxes, barrels, bags, baskets, casks or any other vessel or vessels
used in the packing and transportation of any such farm products,
to be fixed by such factor, commission merchant, consignee or
agent. Such deposit shall be refunded to such purchaser or to the
person entitled to receive the same in case he brings back within
five days and delivers to such factor, commission merchant, agent
or consignee the aforementioned vessel or vessels in as good con-
dition as when he received the same; and if any purchaser shall
fail to return such vessel or vessels within five days after receiv-
ing the same the said deposit shall be considered as forfeited, and
the said factor, agent, consignee or commission merchant shall
pay the same over to the owner of such vessel or to the person
entitled to receive the same at the next ensuing settlement of
accounts with such owner or person; and it shall be the duty of
every such factor, agent, consignee or commission merchant
whenever such vessels are returned to him to deliver the same
to the transportation agent or carrier that brought them to the
place of sale and to take a receipt therefor; the legal responsi-
bility of the factor, agent, consignee or commission merchant for
such vessels shall thereupon cease and determine, and the trans-
portation agent or carrier so receiving the same shall become
responsible to the owner or person entitled to receive the same
for the full value of all such vessels until they shall have been
deposited at the landing or station at which they were received.