The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-01
Revising the Laws.

At the last session Of Congress an act was
passed "to provide for the preparation and
publication 81 a new edition Of the Rev isod
Statutes Of the United States 1t author
lied the appointment Of one Commissioner
learned in the law 10 incorpurata into the
text of the Revised Statutes. as already
published all tho amendments which have
been made since Dec. /. 1870. and up TO the
close Of the last session, with marginal ref
erences to the amcndatory acts and 10 all
the decisions of the courts of the United
tates subsequent to those heretofore cited.
and of the State courts, if deemed sufli-
GENTLY important.
This new edition is To- TO completed in
manuscript by the lst Of January. 1878. and
then presented to the Secretary OF State for
his examination and approval, who shall
duly certify the same under the seal Of the
department, and when printed and promul-
gated as provided by the act, 1.-THE printed
volume shall be legal and conclusive evil
dence Of the laws and treaties therein con-
tanned in all the courts of the United States
and Of the several States and Territories"
Mr.. GEORGE :. boutwell, of Mnssachu-
SOFT was appointed the Commissioner. with
compensation If $1,000 though he was
never suspected Of being very learned in
the law His fidelity and his competency
for this important task are yet 10 be proved.
MANY changes in the Revised Statutes have
been made in the last four years and some
Of thcnl affect large and material interests.
A few words may radically alter the mean
ing O! a statute. when ii comes 10 hc con-
strlNl by the courts, though Ostcusibly
thcr" u0N scon. TO hc no change
II remains TO hc seen whether the exam
inGdon and approval Of this revision by the
Scefetaryo Of State Will cover the intention Of
Congress to have work sufficiently perfect
t. :, used a. evidence in the tribunals OF
Ju5u,'. No one supposcs the examination
VIII be made 10y the Secretary personally.
il must Ice delegated TO subordnates. who
do LOt claim to Ice learned in the law. and
wii' ai" not "Fp"cted to have the technical
In fl'dgn which is so necessary for a work
Of l.i+ professional character
Too much caution cannot be exercised in
III final sup"rN ision, after the experience Of
tie present Revised Statutes That revision
was ntru-ted toa committee Of the House
of Representatives, with authority 10 en-
ploy assistance. The details were really
worked out by clerks, many of whom had
neither experience nor qualification for such
service. Between the committee, the
counsel called in, and the clerks, many laws
Affecting In" tarlf and other subjects were
m"''li" aud in some Instances iuterpola-
u"h0 were made without any warrant OF
law l"give them color of Justification.
SILVER was domonetizcd by the Revised
statutes and not 10y the act Of 1873. as has
been generally believed. although that act
imposed certain restrictions which nrc-
pared the way for the contamination If that
policy in 1874 The law OF Feb r. 1873. ac-
rIdlnS TO its title, was ".tn act rrll-inl,
hhd amending the laws relative 10 the
h"h'7' assay Offices, and coinage Of the
'ihl'd states" At that time Taper money
"as ne general currency and this measure.
"il''h was supposed to- be confined to the
operations Of the mints and assay Offices.
hltlacl'd very little attention. There wna
iI''' discussion IN the House upon il and
ApIi' al all IA the Senate
me SILVER dollar was fun legal tender
when this legislation took place Tin. met