quarter

A measure of length, equal to four inches. See Measure. In the Law of War. The sparing of the life of a fallen or captured enemy on the battlefield. By the end of the seventeenth century quarter became a recognized usage of war. It is forfeited only under exceptional circumstances. 1. In case of absolute and overwhelming necessity, as where a small force is incumbered with a large number of prisoners in a savage and hostile country, and may be justified in killing them for their own self-preservation. 2. Where belligerents violate the laws of war they may be refused quarter. 3. By way of retaliation against an enemy who has denied quarter without a cause. Risley, The Law of War; Spaight, War Rights on Land, 88-95. In former times it was considered justifiable to refuse quarter to the garrison of a fortress carried by assault, especially when a w r eak garrison held out against greatly superior numbers, the justification being that the attempted defense of an indefensible place Involved an unnecessary loss of life to the capturing party. But this rule is now obsolete. adopted at The Hague in 1899, provides that' QUARTO DIE POST (Lat. fourth day aftbelligerents are forbidden to declare that no er). Appearance-day, which is the foyrth quarter shall be given.: day inclusive from the return of the writ;

The fourth part of anything, especially of a year. Also a length of four inches. In England, a measure of corn, generally reckoned at eight bushels, though subject to local variations. See Hospital St. Cross v. Lord Howard De Walden, 6 Term, 348. In American land law, a quarter section of land. See infra. And see McCartney v. Dennison, 101 Cal. 252, 35 Pac. 766.

— Quarter-day. The four days in the year upon which, by law or custom, moneys payable in quarter-yearly installments are collectible, are calied "quarter-days."

— Quarter-dollar. A silver coin of the United States, of the value of twenty-five cents.

— Quarter-eagle. A gold coin of the United Slates, of the value of two and a half dollars.

— Quarter of a year. Ninety-one days. Co. Litt. 135b.

— Quarter-sales. In New York law. A species of fine on alienation, being one-fourth of the purchase money of an estate, which is stipulated to be paid back on alienation by the grantee. The expressions "tenth-sales," etc., are also used, with similar meanings. Jackson ex dem. Livingston v. Groat, 7 Cow. (N. Y.) 285.

— Quarter seal. See Seal.

— Quarter section. In American land law. The quarter of a section of land according to the divisions of the government survey, laid off by dividing the section into four equal parts by north-and south and east-and-west lines, and containing 160 acres.

A fourth part or portion. Quarter of a year: ninety-one days, the additional six hours not being regarded.

In English law. Quarter sessions: a criminal court held before two or more justices of the peace, one of whom must be of the quorum, in every county, once in every quarter of a year.

See Coin; Sessions; Treason.

One-fourth part; also specially used to designate the fourth part of a year. By statute in New York (1 Rev. Stat. 606, § 3), as well as by old common-law authorities (Co. Litt. 135 6; 2 Rolle Abr. 521), a quarter of a year is reckoned as composed of ninety-one days, the surplus six hours being disregarded. Quarter-day. The four days in the year upon which, by law or custom, moneys payable in quarter-yearly instalments are collectible, are called quarter-days. They difler in different jurisdictions. In New York city, as between landlord and tenant, they are the first days of May, August, November, and February. In matters influenced by United States statutes, iinder which the fiscal year commences July 1, they should be, it seems, the first days of October, January, April, and July. According to Mozley & Whiteley, they are, in England, the 25th of March, being the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called Lady Day; the 24th of June, being the Feast of St. John the Baptist, otherwise called Midsummer Day; the 29th of September, being the Feast of cember, being the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, commonly called Christmas Day. And in Scotland, the 2d of February, being the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Maiy, otherwise called Candlemas Day; the lijth of May, called for this purpose Whitsunday; the 1st of August, otherwise called Lammas Day; the 11th of November, otherwise called St. Martin's Day, or Martinmas. Quarter sessions. The courts of general sessions of the peace, in England, held in each quarter year before the justices of the peace in counties, and before the recorder in boroughs. Quarterly court. The name of certain courts in Kentucky of very limited jurisdiction, which includes, however, appeals from justices of the peace.