EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
I6S
LITERATURE. From an entertaining and fecundity in law making, as compared with every other civilized country on the globe, but instructive essay by Ex-President Grover not for all. Candor must compel the admission Cleveland in the Youth's Companion (V. Ixxx, that there is something radically wrong with a p. 63), entitled " The Country Lawyer in system which produces such lamentable re National Affairs," we quote the following: sults. It has gone on without a protest "The struggle for a livelihood from the because public opinion has not been sufficiently practice of law in the country, and the almost directed to the subject. A spirit of paternal endless number of practical things which the ism has been encouraged which looks to the country lawyer must learn in contests involv legislature as the panacea for all our ills. We ing every social and business question, prepare have yet to learn that there are some incon him, as not other conditions can, to deal veniences, annoyances, and even faults which intelligently and usefully with the various and cannot be remedied by law." widely separated questions met with in the For remedy, he urges some care in the selec public service. ... I believe that, in the tion of legislators, less frequent sessions, and absence of too many labor-saving devices, in longer term for executive officers, who would his profession, and with more dependence upon thereby become more familiar with effects of hard work, the country practitioner, as dis over-legislation and would more freely veto tinguished from his city brother, develops greater self-reliance and homespun industry, the excess. "The remedies thus far suggested, even if all and greater tenacity of wholesome, clearly were in operation, would be but tentative and wrought out convictions — all of which are temporary. The real remedy lies much deeper exceedingly important traits when carried and can only be found in an aroused and into public life. enlightened public opinion. When once the "I am also of the opinion that the study of people begin to think on this subject, when individual ways and means, which the mod they appreciate how intolerable the present erate income of the country lawyer makes system is becoming, they will find the remedy necessary, and a familiarity with the simple, and insist upon its being enforced. They will inexpensive manner of living prevalent in elect only men of high character and education rural communities, tend to foster ideas of to represent them, and will keep them in office frugality and economy which, although too so long as they represent them honestly and frequently left at home when public instead faithfully. They will insist that the laws be of private expenditures are under considera drafted, not by mere tyros, but by skilled tion, ought to be inexorably insisted upon as experts; that no special legislation be tolerated; indispensable to a satisfactory discharge of that few acts shall be passed making radical official duty. changes in the municipal law, and that no "It may not be amiss to intimate also in this measure which has worked well in the past connection that the close personal intimacy shall be amended unless the amendment be and neighborliness of rural life and a conse demanded by clearly expressed public opinion. quent sensitiveness to the interests of those The people must insist that the watchwords with whom they dwell, more easily persuade for every legislative session be honesty, lawyers in the country that they should be frugality, simplicity. We can, if we will, willing on patriotic grounds to devote time demand and secure a government, economical and effort to official work." without being penurious, progressive without LITERATURE. " Bits of Quaintness from being empirical, and enlightened without being the ' Doctrine of Libels,' " by L. C. Howard, visionary." Law Notes (V. ix, p. 212). LEGISLATION (Practice). " The Law An LITERATURE (see Criminal Law). nual, 1906," edited by R. Geoffrey Ellis and MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS. " Munici Max A. Robertson, William Green and Sons, London, 1906. A convenient reference manual pal Benefit and Pension Funds," by Glenda of English practice and of statutes frequently Burke Slaymaker, Central Law Journal (V. referred to. 62, p. 85).
