The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-11-01
THE NEXT LEGISLATURES. |
will 1t be a Long or Short Session
Tho New Code.

Tho New Code.
We see no reason why the work o
the next Legislature should not be per
formed, and the session closed in com
paratively very short time.
True, very grave and important mat
tiers will come before that body; yet
they may be dispatched without loss o
time, and the sooner the better, in oul
judgement. The election of United
States Senator and the adoption of tho
revised Code of laws are the great apC
absorbing matters of interest that viii
demand the attention of the next Leg
islature. In fact these two items COM
prise the work it will have to perform
1t is to be hoped that successor to Mr.
Bruce will be chosen without leaving
any wounds or bitterness to estrangt
old friends, after the contest is over
From the distinguished names from
whom the choice must be made, Sen
ator may be elected who will be 4
worthy colleague and compeer of the
gifted Lamar. Let not the race degen'
crate into mere personal contest, but
let the Legislature feel that high pub
lie duty must be performed in the selec-
ton and election of the best man fol
the office.
In regard to the Code, it is known
that under the Act of the last Legisla-
ture, the Hon. J. A. p. Campbell, OF
the Supreme Court, has been faithfully
and almost constantly at work for
nearly two years, "revising and codify-
ing all the laws Of general natures"
and it is believed by those who are
most familiar with his work, that Judge
Campbell will submit to the Legislature
one of the best, most finished and com
plete codes of public laws, that has
ever been offered to Legislature for
its adoption. He has not only brought
to his aid in the discharge of this inn
portant public trust the Vast store of
his own experience and legal lore, but
he has also eagerly awaited himself, OF
the legal learning and experience of
the best lawyers in the State i'll his
earnest desire to make the work thor
ough, and present as perfect code as
can reproduced. He has invited sugges-
tons from perhaps every Circuit Judge
and Chancellor in the State; besides
many able and distinguished practicing
lawyers. Thus it will be seen from the
patient and thorough work of Judge
Campbell, the Legislature will have
presented for its adoption, q code OF
laws that will challenge the approval
and admiration of the ablest jurists of
the country.
1t will be conceded by all that the
Legislature acted wisely in committing
this very important work to a gentle
man at once so able and faithful.
The practical question now-and that
is the gist of this ARTICLES, will the
next Legislature permit the State to
reap the benefit of this thorough and
almost perfect work, or will they reck-
IessIy throw it away? This depends
entirely on the course they may adopt.
Also on this depends, in great measure,
the answer to the question, "Shall we
have a long or short session. If
they take the code up chapter by chap
ter, and section by section, and begin
to amend, and change, and alter,
the result will be, that many months
perhaps will be consumed, and Judge
Campbell himself, would scarcely re-
,ognze what is left of his code. If
hey will refer it to joint select COM
composed of the best lawyers
N both houses, this committee can,
lided by the systematic and admirable
of the work by the codi-
fer, very rapidly examine the entire
work. When they have done this,
hey can report the adoption of the
code as it stands. Thus the whole mat
or can be disposed of in very short
ime securing the advantages of the
earning, experience and labor of the
listing uiseed codifier, and Others whose
nd he has sought.
The revised code adopted will en-
1race all general laws, and hence there
will be nothing Of that nature left for
he Legislature to do. As to private or
pecial legislation, it has been u great
vii in the past, and it is earnestly
loped it will not be INDUCED in the fu-
ure. Therefore, we say, there can be
10 need for a protracted session Of the