Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 25.pdf/262

 The Legal World During the progress of a heated debate a mem ber arose and began a tirade against universities and education, thanking God he had never been corrupted by contact with a college. "Do I understand the speaker thanks God for his ignorance?" in terrupted the Chief Justice.

"Well, yes," was the answer; "you can put it that way if you want to." "All I have to say then," said the Chief Justice, in his sweetest musical tone, "is that the mem ber has a good deal to thank God for." — Path finder.

The Legal Monthly Analysis of Leading Legal Events President Wilson, by delivering his first message before Congress in person, by announcing his plan to consult with members of both houses with a view to perfecting the details of important legis lation, and by the keen interest he is showing in the tariff bill, makes it clear that the Administration will assume its full share of responsibility in matters of legislation. The legislative machinery of the nation is likely to move with greater speed and sureness in conse quence of this policy. A perfect tariff bill is an impossibility, for experience alone can show where a reduced tariff succeeds in equitable adjustment of the many conflicting interests affected and where it fails as a broad statesmanlike measure. It is impossible to determine positively at this time that the tariff bill evolved by the co-operative action of the Executive and Congress will cer tainly prove superior to such a bill as Congress might enact without advice or "interference" from the White House. Yet Mr. Wilson's intelligent watchful ness, and his occupancy of a lofty posi tion which serves to focus public opinion of every shade, are likely to count for something, and if the aims of the Presi dent are realized the Executive may be able to exert a steadying and salutary effect on the legislation of the next four years. The enthusiasm of an idealistic President is likely to be curbed some

245

World

what by the magnitude of the practical problems facing the nation, and the out look for sound, carefully drawn currency reform and anti-trust legislation, after the tariff has been disposed of, cannot be said to be distinctly unfavorable. The attitude of the President as a definite factor in legislation may give the country a more efficient legislative machinery than it has had for some time, with beneficial effects on the laws of the land. But it is too early to predict the probable course of the new Administra tion. The reform of judicial procedure has made few gains during the past month. The most hopeful sign comes from Illi nois, where the state bar association, by its unanimity of action in support of a carefully framed proposed practice act, has brought very powerful pressure to bear upon the legislature of Illinois. A measure is before the Massachu setts legislature on which there is some hope of securing favorable action. It is designed to lessen the frequency of new trials by permitting the framing of separate issues and taking of special verdicts, to enable the appellate court to correct errors of the trial court with out sending back the case for a second trial. Some encouragement may be found in the fact that trials of civil actions in the Superior Courts of Massachusetts have been expedited during the past few months by the action of the justices in