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 The Supreme Court of Missouri. and to assist that body by preparing reports upon cases referred to it, which, however, were required to be approved and adopted by the court before being promulgated or of force. The act was limited, by its terms, to remain in force for two years only. There had always been serious opposition to this plan as not providing for a judicial body, and its constitutionality was boldly challenged.

The adoption of the Amendment creating the Kansas City Court of Appeals at the pre ceding election ena bled its opponents to defeat the re-enact ment of the act provid ing for a commission. This body was un doubtedly a great aid to the court, and its members were happily selected. The first appointees were Alex ander Martin, John F. Philips, and Charles A. Winslow. Judge Winslow died after a short service, much lamented, and was suc ceeded by H. Clay Ewing. Judge Philips resigned upon being JOHN F. appointed to the Kan sas City Court of Ap peals, and was succeeded by David A. D'Armond. The questions which the Supreme Court of Missouri has been called upon to decide have been as great in variety and importance as those which have fallen to the lot of any court in the land. A part of the Louisiana purchase and previously a Spanish posses sion, Missouri contained many land titles, having their origin under the laws and cus toms of both France and Spain, which pre sented questions of the most intricate nature. Titles and questions equally as difficult arose

under the legislation of Congress for the relief of persons damaged by the New Ma drid earthquake. Some of the cases have become leading ones in the annals of judi cial utterances. This is notably true of Chou teau v. Eckert, 7 Mo. 16, Affirmed, 2 How. 344; Barry v. Gamble, 8 Mo. 88, Affirmed, 3 How. 32; Den v. Bingham, 8 Mo. 579; Page v. Hill, 11 Mo. 149; Page v. Scheibel, 11 Mo. 167; Lessieur v. Price, 12 Mo. 14, Affirmed, 12 How. 59; Landes v. Perkins, 12 Mo. 238; Affirmed, s. p. Landes v. Brant, 10 How. 348; Burgess v. Grey, 1 5 Mo. 220, Af firmed, 16 How. 48; Harrison v. Page, 16 Mo. 183, Approved, 16 How. 494, 512; Kissell v. Public Schools, 16 Mo. 553, Affirmed, 18 How. 19; Gabache v. Piquignot, 17 Mo. 310, Affirmed, 16 How. 451; Carondelet v. Dent, 18 Mo. 284, Af firmed, 14 Wall. 308; Soulard v. Clarke, 19 Mo. 570, Approved, 16 How. 494, 512; State v. Ham, 19 Mo. 592, RYLAND. Affirmed, 18 How. 1 26; Hogan v. Page, 22 Mo. 55, Reversed, 2 Wall. 605; Milbourn v. Hardy, 23 Mo. 532, Affirmed, 1 Black, 595; Bertholdf. McDonald, 24 Mo. 126, Affirmed, 22 How. 334; Carondelet v. St. Louis, 25 Mo. 448, Affirmed, 1 Black, 179; Magwire v. Tyler, 25 Mo. 484, Affirmed, 1 Black, 195; O'Brien v. Perry, 28 Mo. 500, Af firmed, 1 Black, 132; Dent v. Sigerson,29 Mo. 489; Gibson v. Chouteau, 39 Mo. 536, Re versed, 13 Wall. 92; Public Schools v. Risley, 40 Mo. 356, Affirmed, 10 Wall. 91; Maguire v. Tyler, 40 Mo. 206, Reversed, 8 Wall. 605, Public Schools v. Walker, 40