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THE GREEN BAG

CURRENT LEGAL LITERATURE Thit department it designed to call attention to the articles in all the leading legal periodicals of the preceding month and to new law books sent us for review

Conducted by WILLIAM C. GRAY, of Fall River, Mass. To one who reads the current legal literature a most striking characteristic of the day is the frequency with which reference is made to the growth of the federal power. The essential unity of the United States under modern conditions of ease of communication makes variations in state laws a source of constant vexation and expense and the demand for uniformity continually finds expression. Mr. Jackson E. Reynold's article on railway valuation, reviewed below, shows the tendency to turn for relief to the national govern ment when perplexing conditions arise, even if that relief requires an elastic interpretation of the constitution. Hon. Richard Olney's article on discrimination against unions, valuable for its own sake is also interesting as containing an admission of the existence of the .tendency toward increased federal power, from which, however, he thinks he sees a reaction. Judge William Lahsfield's uncompleted article on " Uniformity of Law as an American Ideal " voices strongly the protest against uncertainty and variation in the law, although he does not refer to what may be called the political phase of the matter. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW. "The American Gaylord Cook, " Alexander Hamilton," by Government: Organization and Officials: with James Brown Scott, and " Robert R. Living the Duties and Powers of Federal Office Hold stone," by lames Brown Scott. This volume is really a history of the ers, by H. C. Gauss, New York, L. R. Hammersly & Co. 1908, pp. i-xxiii, 1-871, 8 vo. cloth. Colonial Bar. Concerning the statesmen of This should prove to be a useful manual for the Revolution there is much material, though those who want a first view of the actual organi not always about their legal careers, and in zation of the American administration. The these short essays free use has been made, as is arrangement is rather good, and some dis frankly confessed by Mr. Scott, of the longer crimination has been used in the handling biographies of their subjects. There was less of the material. It gives a straightforward to work on in preparing the accounts of account of the many phases of governmental Andrew Hamilton, whose successful, but for activity in the diverse forms of administrative gotten career as an advocate in the middle organization. This is not altogether an easy states had closed before the Revolution made thing to do as there are many departures in our Constitutional lawyers, and of George Wythe, our first professor of law, in the the Federal hierarchy from the typical forms. BILLS AND NOTES. " Liability of Bank College of William and Mary. The most Collecting Commercial Paper," by George I. interesting and best written of the essays is that on Patrick Henry. The author's brilliant Wooley, Bench and Bar (V. xii, p. 100). BIOGRAPHY. The first volume of the series style is most appropriate to Henry's dramatic of essays entitled " Great American Lawyers," life. The accounts of Jay and Hamilton edited by William Draper Lewis, John C. have already been published in periodicals Winston Company, Philadelphia, 1907, com and reviewed in this department. The story of Wilson was written before the recent prises the following: — "Andrew Hamilton," by William Henry interest in his life was aroused by the removal Loyd, Jr.,." George Wythe," by Lyon Gardi of his remains to Philadelphia, and our readers ner Tyler, " Patrick Henry," by Adelaide will find much additional information in^Mr. Cooper Scott, " James Wilson," by Margaret Alexander's manuscript which we published Center Klingelsmith, " William Paterson," by at that time. Mr. Parker's account of Courtlandt Parker, " John Jay," by James Paterson is marred by an involved style, Brown Scott, " Oliver Ellsworth," by Frank but Mr. Scott's essays are always clear and