The third Tuesday of February of each year, and the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November of each year, be and the same are hereby designated as legal half-holidays from twelve o'clock noon until midnight of such days, and shall for all purposes whatsoever as regards the presenting for payment or acceptance, and as regards the protesting and giving notice of the dishonor of bills of exchange, checks, drafts and promissory notes, made after the passage of this act, be treated and considered as the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, and as public holidays, and half-holidays, and all such bills, checks, drafts and notes otherwise presentable for acceptance or payment on any of the said days, shall be deemed to be payable and be presentable for acceptance or payment at or before twelve o'clock noon on such half-holidays.