The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-06-11
valuable Suggestions Of the State
bar Association.

important law reforms, which will he
recommended by the State Bar Associ.
alton
Al the November session Of the State
iSar Association committee on law re-
TORN was appointed, who, through a
large number Of subcommittee. obiain-
icu suggestions upon needed reforms in
The law. and reported these suggestions
10 the May meeting, which occurred
Tuesday last
Several important matters were pre-
sented by the reporter Of the general
committee 10 the association and were
discussed, amended or approved and
Irecommittcd with directions "a prepare
the appropriate bills 10 be submitted n
the Code Commissioners now engaged n
the codification OF all The Indiana Stat
utes. The chairman of the committee
has kindly furnished us with synopsis
of the proposed reformatory legislation.
most important TO the bar and the peo-
pie; al the same expressing the hope that
The members Of the bar will not be back
ward in making suggestions TO the CON-
niittecs upon the various topics in
|volved:
4. Divorce-On the subject Of divorce
Iit Is purposed to shorten the term OF
failure to provide for the wife by the
husband. which shall be a good cause Of
divorce in behalf OF the wife. and make
liz six months instead OF two wears. and
Ito provide that judgment for alimonv
may be rendered IN favor OF the wife
upon constructive service where the
husband has property or debts due him
in the State. 10 be satisfied by sequestra-
tion OF the property or debts.
The preparation of the amendment
law Is committed TO Hon. Il. B. Elliott.
w. p. Fishback and Edward Taylor, In
|dianapolis.
? Probate Business-A careful re-
vision Of the probate laws is proposed
with numerous amendments 10 harmon
ize conflicting legislation with an i'm
proved set OF forms. This work il COM
United to Hon. N. r. Malott, W. III. De-
Wolf and Henry Cauthorn, Of VIM
cennes.
3. Selecting Juries-An improvement
in the method Of selecting jurors, radical
in its nature is also proposed. The plan
is 10 have two jury commissioners ap-
pointed by the judges, in each county.
w ho upon a plan Of selecting and placing,
and constantly keeping In box . large
number OF names Of suitable persons for
jurors, shall periodically draw not only
the regular panel but reserved list TO
cover challenges and TO supply vacancies
Of persons excused. But the plan con-
templates limiting excuses 10 disability
In case OF the necessity Of having present
large number Of jurors for some i'm
portant case the commissioners are TO
draw from the box for the venire.
The plan. the details Of which are too
extensive for this outline il properly car
ried out will accomplish two objects. Iii
will eflectually prevent professional
juries and packing juries. The plan in
legislation is committed to Hon. Rob't
Taylor, Of Fort Wayne. and his associ-
ates. who reported the same.
4. County Commissioners-It Is pro-
posed TO make change in the mode of
selecting County Commissioners BY hav-
ing them elected all al once and adopt
ing the Illinois rule giving option of|
the voter 10 cast three votes and to cast
them either for three candidates or forl
one, or to divide them, ard cast two forl
one candidate and one for the other.
This plan would always give the mi |
nority in politics one representative on
the board.
This was reported by one Of the spec
ial committees. TO whom il was referred l
back for perfection aud approval Of the
codifiers.
5. Mode Of Trial Causes ~ One Of the
most important of the changes proposed
is that relating to the mode Of trial Of
causes, formerly known as chancery
causes and in which are embraced con-
growing out Of partnerships,
accounts. the marshaling OF
liens and many other cases unfit for trial
by jury. The plan proposed is to pro-
vide for the trial OF all this class OF cases
BY the court without jury. except that
BY consent Of parties cases may lie tried
before jury, or referred to master to
axe the testimony and report his find
ngs Of facts and conclusions OF law. with
he evidence 10 the court, both reportI
md evidence becoming upon being filed
Dart Of the record without bill Of ex.
'eptions, and such report to be disposed
II as in the chancery practice. And in
'pecial cases TO be pointed ont the court
% have the power 10 refer the case to .
master TO take tho testimony only and
-eport the same TO the court. An actl,
these propositions will be
prepared and submitted to the codifiers
'or approval, by Judge Rowland. Col. /
A. w. Hendricks and Judge Kibby.
6. intermediate Appellate Courts,
The standing committee in lieu or the |
,lan proposed by the special committed
eported . plan for an intermediate ap-
'ellate court embracing the following
propositions;
rIl nivsi. -. c...~ 49,. III