The Legal World
451
USELESS BUT ENTERTAINING Willie. — "Was Jonah a high-priced lawyer, pa?' Father. — "What a question! Why?" Willie. — "It seems the whale couldn't re tain him." — Boston Transcript. In an Ohio case the judge had sentenced the
prisoner, convicted of murder in the second degree, to thirty years' imprisonment. Counsel jumped up with the cry: "But, your Honor, my client is an aged man. He won't live thirty years." "In that case," responded the judge, imperturbably, "I'll shorten his sentence to life imprisonment, if you prefer it."
The Legal World Monthly Analysis of Leading Legal Events The month seems to have offered few significant developments outside the field of party politics, in which too great importance must not be attributed the views expressed by political leaders. If however it is proper to assume that political speeches represent the actual attitude of political parties, it may be inferred from the moderate tone of Mr. Wilson's nomination speech on political questions such as those of the initiative, referendum, and recall, to which topics scant attention was given, that most of the obstructive political radicalism from now on will be sup plied by the National Progressive party. The questions of the recall of judges and of judicial decisions are giving lawyers throughout the country more profound concern than the social or economic .proposals of the Democratic and Progressive platforms. Just how much support Mr. Roosevelt may be able to count on, for his proposal that the people be given the right to overturn court decisions, remains to be seen. Apart from political speechmaking, it is pretty safe to say that there are few evidences of definite leanings toward the recall. The bar of the country con tinues, however, to denounce the re
call with undiminished zeal even though few forceful protagonists of it come for ward. The work of Congress as it approaches the close of the session affords little occa sion for congratulation. We seem to be no nearer than we were some time ago to an unqualified acceptance of the sound ness of the interpretation of the HayPauncefote treaty advocated by Sena tor Root, or to a positive determina tion that the Commerce Court shall not be abolished. The failure of the Stan ley Committee to agree on a broad, constructive scheme for the regulation of monopoly is likewise unfortunate. Judiciary reform has received an im petus in Ohio in view of the endorse ment of the Ohio State Bar Association, and the constitutional amendment to be voted on by the people this fall will have an influential backing. By re lieving the Supreme Court, it will if passed accomplish much for the removal of the law's delays.
New and Proposed Legislation.
Announcement is made of the appoint ment of a special committee by the American Bar Association to propose legislation to Congress for an increase
