The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-03-07

Thereby making each opinion n complete
digest Of tho principle therein decided.
Now and thorough indexes will DO made
which, combined with other improvements
contemplated, will mako the Reports the most
valuable published. and establish the juris-
prudence Of Tennessee upon q permanent
basis.
Tho singular and wonderful fitness Of Judge
Cooper tor this undertaking Moods no com
mendation to tho profession. lilo offers his
editorial labors to tho State gratis. And when
tho large discount on State warrants and tho
cost Of copyright are deducted from tho low
price at which the books are offered. 1t is OBJ
yious tho publishers have left themselves an
insufficient margin for full compensation in
tho enterprise.
As the books will only be paid for whom de.
liyered, and tho republication extended
through q period Of several years, the cost
will DO insignificant and impcroeptible.
The Decisions of the Supreme Court are im>
portan as the Statues; they are the law in
its last analysis. And the carly Decision em'
body tho pith of the law and practice. In
consequence Of inability to get tho Decisions,
the profession. as o rule, are more familiar
with those Of other States (some with one,
some another, rs is most practicable to OBJ
tain them) than their own; and tho jurispru-
dence of Tennessee is rapidly becoming a
mere mosaic. Tho attempt to cObble such
composite, chaotic material into an enduring
system of Jurisprudence is a scandal to the
State.
Il g., perhaps, mot disloyalt to say that in Ten
nessee there is sufficient native ability to
maintain q distinct system Of Jurisprudence
Independent ofthe adjudications Of Massachu-
sets. Pennsylvania. New York. etc., which,
printed in ''eheap FORM" are hawked and
hucksterod as the proper source Of all legal
reasoning and analogies, while our own Re-
ports, out of print. and objects daily Of specu.
lation. and bought and sold At fabulous prices.
The law requires each Court to DO equipped
with records Of the State Decisions; yet not a
Court In the State is supplied with a set of Re-
ports. The confusion, Inconvenience, delays,
errors. needless litigation, etc., etc.. daily
arising from this cause. ore fearful, Our
Judges, absent nine in tho twelve months
from home, are compelled to'psy from stinted
salaries the cost Of transporting their libraric
wherever they 90, or guess at tho law In at.
tempting to decide 1t. 1t may. with! safety, be
alleged that the State would, one year. in liti-
cations alone, savo twice tho cost of repub-
fishing its Reports.
No sensible and truthful man can assert
that this is a project for the benefit Of lawyers
On the contrary. 1t addresses itself to intelli.
gence in every caste, and is ono which the hum
blest citizen is as deeply concerned as the ju'
rist; for the Decisions Of the Supreme Court
ore public records and property Of the State
And tho government that refuses to perpetu'
alto records is derelict and reckless indeed il
its administration. 1t would be unworthy thu
great commonwealth of Tennessee to force hel
e~itixons into Court, and have their rights o
person and property interpreted and deter
mined according to the adjudications Of Mas
~sachusstts or some far-away State. most con
venient to tho Court and coun sol trying thu
cause, while those OF 0vorton, Catron, Green
Turley, Mckinney, and her other eminen'
sons, exist.
Tho Cooperative NECESSITY" for republica'
ton ofthese records to the existence, and in
t~elligcnt administration Of one Of tho co-ordi
nate branches Of the State government ha'
been attcsted by hundreds of the most trusted
worthy, md distinguished citizens of thu
State. No paltry, demagosic clamor Of econ
omy should DO permitted to defeat a moasur'
of such vital concern to tho dignity. indepcn'
denco. and sovereignty Of Tennessee.
NorE.-This measure was introduced abou
the close of tho last session of the Legislature
Thebill passed the Senate, snd.was transmitte'
, to the Houss.four days before thcldnul adjourn
mont. On its third and last roadinS-the da
of adjournment-there were thirty-two vote
. for it and twenty-five against it. Many Of tn
members having left for their homes. it failet
for want Of q constitutional majority.