Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-08-24
American Bar Association,

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still more important cause of education7 X.
| American Bar Association.
At the annual meeting of the American Bar
Association, held last week at Saratoga, Thomas
f.. Franklin of this state was elected member of
the executive council Hon. Edward J. Phelps,
| the president, made his report which was an
account OF the most noteworthy changes OF statute
law on points Of general interest made in the
several states and by congress during the preced-
ing year. All the states OF the Union but six have
| had legislatures in session, and the California
legislature has been so busily engaged in wrang-
ling rs to fail in general legislative duties Only
two laws of congress are Of particular Importance.
One grants lands to territories for founding
universities and the other relates to the regstra-
ton Of trade marks. It is gratifying that many
states have passed laws, in various forms, for the
protection of human life In Vermont a law pro-
vides for the inspection OF water reservoirs.
South Carolina has passed law against dueling,
while Illinois, Arkansas and Delaware have pro-
hibited the carrying of concealed weapons Penn
syvania prohibits the sale OF weapons and gun
powder to minors Michigan, Mississippi, West
Virginia and New Jersey have allowed persons on
trial for murder to testify in their own behalf,
and in New Jersey wife can testify for husband
on trial. Several states have passed laws to pre-
vent the adulteration Of food and medicines also
regulating the practice OF medicine. In Missis-
sippi law prohibits the sale of intoxicating
liquors. In Pennsylvania Arkansas, Virginia
and Michigan state boards Of health have been
authorized. Laws against gambling and pool
selling have been passed in West Virginia
Missouri, Colorado, Rhode Island and Ohio A
law prohibiting the sale of obscene literature to
minors has been passed in Michigan but adults
may buy. Massachusetts allows the courts to
exclude minors from their sessions
The subject Of woman s rights has received much
attention. Vermont makes women eligible to
school boards and to vote for members; married
women carrying on business in their own names
can sue and be sued. In Wisconsin woman can
sue in her own name for personal injuries. In
Mississippi and New Jersey woman can testify
in her own behalf in divorce proceedings; wo-
man is also made entirely independent of her
husband after that she may contract with him
and sue or be sued by him for business contracts,
but woman cannot sue her husband for services
rendered. Missouri exempts husband from liza
biiy for debts of the wife contracted before mar
riage. These and other laws seem to make mar
rage sort Of qualified partnership. In West
Virginia very elaborate plan Of pablo in
struction has been established. 1t prescribes a
series Of textbooks 10 be used and prohibits all
others. In Minnesota a law for the establishment
Of public schools for higher instruction has been
passed Another law requires that 10 all the
schools in Minnesota, instruction in "social and
moral science " shall be given, including industry,
order, economy, punctualty, patience, self-de-
NAL, health, purity temperance, cleanliness hon
esty truth, poiteness, peace, fidelity, philan-
thropy, patriotism, self-respect, hope, persever-
ance, cheerfulness, courage, self-reiance graft
tude, pity, mercy, kindness, conscience, reflection
and the will. Oral lessons upon one OF these
topics must be given every day and the pupils be
required to furnish illustrations Of the same on
the following morning
The question Of the limits OF municipal corpora
tons is assuming great Importance and many
laws have been passed in relation thereto In
Vermont towns are relieved from liability for in
juries sustained on highways from defects. Mas
sachusetts exempts mortgaged property from
doubled taxation, the taxation being apportioned
between the mortgagor and the MORTGAGE
Railway legislation has been large crop Ne
braska prohibits charging any higher rates of
freight than were charged on November l. 1880,
and no discrimination rates for freight ara 10 bs
allowed Maine has a sin,i,ar ,a,v M;ssorr, 20
ouires every railroad N nrovide we,,.Iigb,ed and
warm waiting rooms at all stations and n Give
sufficient Recommendation for freigh, and Nos.
seppers. Alabama has an elaborate law for the
regulation Of RAILWAYS More than a inst com.
pepsation ia declared 10 he e.tortion nnni.bable
bv fine Whether e,tortion or determination ,e.
eardine freight has been made i. a question for a
iurv Anv reductions Or determinations in favor
Of apy individual ia made n misdemeanor as tn