Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-15

should enforce this, and preachers preach it,
however distaSteful. Let every citizen be-
long to some party and strive to purify it
by attending the primaries and by defeat
ing unworthy nominations. Perfection IS
impossible, but by such means as those
suggested much will be gained and the
world benefited.
Messrs. Gamaliel, Bradford and Wells,
Of Detroit, discussed this paper briefly.
This closed the exercises of the legal de-
partment.
In the general meeting paper by Prof.
Elliott on the treatment of the guilty was
read, showing that, generally, in proportion
to their severity, harshness and cruelty,
penal laws and prison treatment have a
poor effect, both on the criminal and so
ciety at large; and, in proportion as rational
and humane ideas have been introduced
and applied, the total amount of crime has
been lessened and the chances of refOrma-
tiOn increased. The progress of improve
ment is slow, and the reform of prison
laws and the treatment Of criminals out
side Of prisons must come only with time.
Prison discipline is meant to reform as well
as to punish, and to restore the criminal,
'clothed and in his right mind" TO the
world. These ideas have been partially
put in practice in several institutions and
success attained.
The Railroad Problem
A paper from DR.. ]. w. HOyt, Of Wis
cOnsin, on the railroad question, was read.
II afhrns and endeavOrs to prove the power
Of the State over corporations; to show that
the use OF this power in ways somewhat
= -
been without occasion; that the interests Of
all parties demand that il should be exer-
cised with wisdom and moderation, not ~ !
fixing arbitrary rules and otherwise inter
fering with the details of railroad manage
ment, but rather by wise general provision,
looking to honesty Of administra-
tiOn; that practical acknowledgment of
the rights of the public will naturally lead
to fair and friendly dealing on the part of
the people; that thus these corporations |
have, in fact, the practical solution of the |
railroad question in their own hands.
After the reading Of paper by Professor |
VIM. Watson, on River Improvements, and |
a short debate, the general session adjourn |
ed sine die. In the section Of
Jurisprudence,
paper WIS Itdu ny M Us hdul- Il
mOnd, Of Iowa, on Legal Educa- |
tiOn and the study of jurisprudence in |
the West and Northwest. Mr.. Hammond |
said, in substance, that the Jurisprudence |
Of the Northwest differs little from that of /
other sections of the Union. The Western /
States differ from Others, however, in that
they are remarkably free from ancient and
rigid forms. The great object of legal instruc-
lion is not to prevent a student from be-
coming technical, naTow-minded and
luibbling, which was formerly the
fault, but to restrain him from
loose, in accurate methods of thought.
The bar of most OF the Western States is
an unOrganized body, without fixed profess
siOnal traditions and with little legal train
ing. Mr.. Hammond showed the difficulty
which law students experience in attempt
ing to read and practice law in any but the
largest Offices. They must retain by sheer
'Orce Of memory what they read from text
books. This difficulty has originated law
schools, which are now rapidly advancing
IN public favor.