The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-03-03
coRREspoNpExcE OF THE NoNPAREIL
DEs MONIES, Feb. eth, 1850.

Tho Legislature has, thus far, passed
nineteen bills which have become laws. Vi
these seven or eight refer to tho times OF
holding courts, one lesalizes the acts OF
some notary public or other, one has refer.
ence to the Keokuk, Fl. Des Moines, and
Minnesota Railroad Company, one declares
Little Sioux River nayigabls, and two or
three appropriate moneys for as many pur-
poses. Though so few bills have passed
through both branches, and received the
signature Of the Governor, the Legislature
has done great deal of work not in the
Buncombe line. About hundred and
twenty bills have been introduced into the
Senate, AID moro than two hundred into
the House. A great many Of these have of
course been killed by the committees or by
the house where originated. In this re-
specs u great dea! Of good has been accom-
plished by the presentation of useless, or
has.y legislation. Indeed, the committees
have firmly and wisely determined to report
favorably toward no measure, without hav-
ing given it diligent and careful study. II,
therefore, the statute book OF this winter
should not be burdenei with innumerab!e
laws, those which do pass will have the merit
of having received a careful consideration at
the hands Of the Legislature. And it will
certainly be admitted that few good laws
would be far better than great many OF
doubtful wisdom and utility. Too much
law is almost, if not quite as bad, in my
opinion, as too much whiskey. ~ rri.l.
The Civil Practice Act prepared by Mr..
DARWIN, is now considered daily by the
Senate, in committee Of the whole. This
act may be considered as perfection Of the
code Of 1851, and an adaptation thereof to
the provisicas Of the present Constitution.
1t contains, however, two or three very i'm.
portans reforms which ! may notice here.
One is, that parties may be witnesses for
themselves, as is the case in Ohio and some
other States. Another is, that the pleadings
shall be veriGed-that is, without thereby
being made testimony they shall be sworn
to by tho parties or their agents. This is
a very important change, and, in my view,
. wise one. It will have q tendaDcy to
prevent this g eternal lying in courts Of
justice, and 90 much useless md frivilous
pleading Is may now be found on filein our
courts. II is possible it may not be liked
at first, but will grow in favor as its uses
become known by practice. There is also
a similarity between law and chancery
practice. 1t is wisely provided, too, tina,
it party mistakes his jurisdcticn-thas is,
IL he brings suit at Law in case coguizable
by the cbancery side Of the court, or
rice versa-he shall not on that account be
kicked iucontinently out Of court, but the
casss shall merely be transferred to the
proper docket, and proceeded with in course
Mr.. DAWN has given much labor, study
and thought, to this acs, and has produced
. work Of which hs may we'll feel proud
The changes which will be made in il vii
bsfor the most part verbal, and viii in nc
degrees a6sss the spirit Of the aot. s.f
The House has been occupied . coed dsa
Of the time for several days ID che consid.
GRAFTON Of bill for county government OF
the Nsv York system Of supervisors.
thisk that system will be adopted. 1t seen
to be conceded that it 10 the one bes, adapt
cd to our wants and our people. 3.
The Senate, on Saturday, passed CON
current resolution, TO adjourn sine die, o.
The 18th Of March. Tho House will proba
bly, put the resolution on the table.
rs I. D. !.