PUBLIC GENERAL LAWS.

ARTICLE I.
Rules of Interpretation.

SEC. 1. The adoption of this code shall not affect or impair
any right vested or acquired and existing at the time of its adop-
tion, nor shall it impair, discharge or release any contract, obli-
gation, duty or liability of any kind whatsoever now existing.
All suits and actions pending and all prosecutions for crimes or
misdemeanors, including all civil and criminal proceedings what-
soever, shall be prosecuted and proceeded with to final determi-
nation and judgment entered therein as if this code had not been
adopted.

2. If any crime or misdemeanor or other violation of law hath
been committed before this code is adopted, and no prosecution
or other proceeding hath been commenced against the offender
before the adoption of this code, then such offender may be pro-
ceeded against by indictment or otherwise and punished, in the
same manner as if this code had not been adopted.

3. No rights, property or privileges held under a charter or
grant from this State shall be in any manner impaired or affected
by the adoption of this code.

4. Wherever the word administrator is used in this code it
shall include "executor," and so vice versa, unless such an ap-
plication of the term would be unreasonable.

5. The word decedent means either a testator or person dying
intestate.

6. The masculine includes all genders, except where such con-
struction would be absurd or unreasonable.

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