National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-10-28
NATIONAL. UNIVERSITY.



Last evening, by invitation of the faculty,
Judge W. B. Smell addressed the past grad
uate class Of the law department Of the Ma
tional University. In introducing the judge,
Vice Chancellor Wedgewood said; Young
gentlemen, We shall have the pleasure OF
listening to gentleman this evening who
has given unwearied attention to the study
Of the criminal law. lie graduated at Bo-
doin College with the first honors In his class
studied law with one of the judges of the
Superior Court Of Maine-held the office Of
county attorney for six successive years, and
was elected to the House of Representatives
and twice to the State Senate Of Maine, where
he was made chairman OF the committee on
legal reform and also Of the committee on
education.
When the war Of the rebellion broke out
he raised u company and Joined the 18th
Maine volunteers, In which regiment he served
for three years. At the close OF the war be
returned TO his native State and resumed the
practice Of the law. When the present Police
Court was organized by Congress he was &c.
Judge Of that court. He has discharged the
duties Of his Office with such fidelity and dis
cretion that crime has decreased nearly one
half since he assumed the duties OF his Office
I now introduce to you Judge Smell.
The Judge was warmly received by the
large class OF students present. lie com
menced by a quotation from Euripides, thai
'there were three things worthy Of mcdita
ton: To honor the gods, 10 honor our pa
rents, and obey the common law OF Greece.
Similar To this was the sentiment Of Lord
Coke: mo jewel In the world Is compared
to learning, no learning so excellent u,
knowledge OF the law, and the knowledge o.
no law so necessary as the common law Of
England"
He then gave very clear and careful his
tory OF the early criminal law until 1t as
sumed fixed form under our present jury
system. After giving the history Of the com
mon law as Il existed In this District he de
scribed the peculiar condition Of our District
laws. He said: First we have tho common
law Of England and statutes so far as they
were made a part Of the Maryland laws prior
to January, liza. Second, we have the laws
Of Maryland in force at the timo OF the ces'
sion Of tho District to the United States.
Third, the statutes of the United States In
Producing now laws and modifying and re-
pcalIng both statute and common law. Fourth,
the ordinances Of the cities OF Washington
and Georgetown and the body known as the
Levy Court. Fifth, the acts Of the Teritro-
rial Assembly"
He then called attention to the fact that the
practitioner was unaldcd by tue construction
put upon this 'chaos Of law" by any court OF
the District; no publication Of the decisions
of the Supreme Court Of the District having
been made since Cranchs reports, which only
come down TO 1919.
The fact was admitted that these decisions,
covering thirty years Of rapid growth Of the
District aud involving very important ques'
lions, would be very valuable 10 tho prOfes.
sion, not only as showing what the law 10, but
also as being highly crcditable to the court
He hoped some competent jurlst would un'
dertakc the task OF placing these decisions in
the hands Of the profession, aided by the Gov.
eminent In their publication.
The lecturer concluded by forciblv stating
the importance Of this branch Of jurispru.
dencc, not only to the profession but to all
classes of citizens.