The teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1876-1878, 1876-12-09
NEEDED LEGISLATION.

Territory which will be required for the en-
suing two years. We are not fally advised
as to the sagacity and ability of the mem
bers of the present legislature, but as they
have been the choice Of the people for the
purpose of legislation, they are and ought
to be presumed to be competent.
Notwithstanding the recent compilation
of our laws by the authority of q former
legislature we yet fall far short of what is
needful to make our laws as perfect as they
should be. We hear much complaint in
relation TO the recent compilation, aud
some lawyers 60 so far as to say that the
late volume of the laws compiled and pub
lished only tends to render confusion con-
founded, that we were better off with the
severa! volumes be fore published than we
are with the new. How much truth there
may be in this assertion we are not pre-
pared to say, having never critically exam
,ined the new volume. 1t is claimed for
the new volume that it contains all the
laws of Idaho that are operative, and that
persons having the new volume need never
consult any Of the old ones to find the law
Of the Territory upon any given question.
To nuke the laws complete in one volume
was the original design of the legislature
in having them compiled. Butupon exam
inaton and comparison of the new with
the old volumes very many say that the
new is far from embodylng the full laws of
the Territory, and others ella i'm that inter-
polations exist in the new that were never
authorized.
This is matter in which the whole pub
lie of Idaho are deeply interested, and a
matter to which the present legislature
should give Special attention, and adopt
means to have our laws plain and unmis-
taxable in their meaning, and as compact as
possible for the convenience of those who
have to resort to the laws. Several laws
of general nature need changes to sub
serve the ends of justice and the convent
'ence Of parties litigant, The law of ap-
peals needs some changes. The law regu-
lating. new trials in our courts needs amend
ing in cases where causes are originally
tried by judge who holds conrt out of His
district by reason of the disability of the
resident judge to try the causes, and pro-
viding for settling statements, bills of ex-
ception, and disposing Of motions for new
trials at chambers and out of the district
where the judge who tried the causes re-
sides out of the district. A wan. Of some
provisions Of this character, often works
great hardship to parties litigant and in
some cases entirely defeats the end Of JUS
ticeo in bringing causes to final issue.
Many claim that our taxes should be ma
terially reduced, certain it is that we pay
far higher taxes than our sister and border
ing Territory of Washington. This greatly
retarls the settlement Of the country, es-
pecislly the northern portion. AT the last
session Of the Legislature the county of
iNez Perez was divided and large and pop
ulous portion ofit annexed to Idaho county.
But no provision was made for transferring
causes then existing in the Probate courts,
and estates, which formerly belonged to
Nee Perez, but by reason Of the new county
lines are now in Idaho county, to the juris-
diction Of said county for settlement This
! provision should be made.
Other localities may have necessity for
some special legislation. We opine tia,
our legislators will find something more to
do than to speculate upoC the present Pres
idential muddle, drink whisky, play pool
nd 81,
hour of their time during the sitting of the
Assembly will be required to properly trans
act the business that is needed aud ex-
pected. at their hands, and then they will
be forced to adjourn sine de with much un-
finished yet important business on hand.
No man should consent to go to the legis-
lature unless he expects and is willing to