New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

mn, ,r,cs An introduction to the Study of Compare
tive Constitutional Law by oo W. W ph pNn.m n
The authors of this thoughtful little volume have
undertaken an outline analysis of the growth ana
tendencies of political forces They proceed partly
on the lines laid down by Bagehot in his Physics
and Politics" tracing the development OF the nation
aud noting the various agencies which tend 10
create institutional government and to modify it,
One conclusion reached is that the political evou'
ton. in nation apo ars to be always toward the
concentration of the law-making power and the
control of ts physical force the executive power
in one and the same person or department" In
England this tendency is shown in the concentra-
ton of power in the House of Commons. whlch mas
come to dominate the Crown and the Lords anu
which to-day virtually rules the British EMPIRE
and does not in the opinion OF many rule IL we'll
In the United States this tendency is manifested Ill
the constant expansion of the power ana )urisdic-
ton of Congress, which expansion is 1achi'aeu ny
coincident tendency in the judiciary TO reau Ih'o
the Constitution new meanings. Our authors are OF
opipion that the inevitable drift OF Congress Is
toward the exercise of powers not expressly gwen
nor auxiliary TO any enumerated in the Constltu-
ton; powers which Judge Story styled resulting
powers arising from the aggregate OF the powers OF
government, and Congress will be always naturally
inclined push its claims III those helds OF legsla
ton constantly widening under the general clauses
of the Constitution. when the judiciary from a very
early day have decided that is the Judge OF what
is proper and necessary"
And if il be said that this theory makes or the
Constitution but sheet of rubber to be stretched
to suit every occasion, our authors answer: =" In a
sense it is 1t will always be worked in the interest
of those having control of the Federal Governments
In times of peace the encroachments will be step
by step in one instance after another. perhaps at
long removes The States. as States, Will mpercepti-
bly lose power and Importance, and the federal
Government will as imperceptibly become stronger
and more important. Forms Will remain, but the
substance of power will concentrate In Congress-
IL is to be noted that Messrs. Crane and Moses do
not regard this Capitalization as harmful or
ominous They look upon it as the normal and IN
evitabe consequence of the action of those forces
which are building a compact. homogeneous nation
out of q confederacy which at the beginning
possessed but a feeble vitality Just rs despite of
State lines National character has developed
among the American people, SO also in despite of
State lines a strong National Government will be
developed. The arguments and illustrations by
which this theory is supported and reinforced are
ingenious and Apostle The tone of the book
throughout is cautious and temperate. 1t is indeed
q work much of which may have been suggested
by the writings of Lieber, Bagehot, Buntschli, May
anu Others Dut tne llHc OF luOuShl IL luOlOuSul9
modern and philosophical ana there is no trace of
partisan feeling or prcpOssessiOn In it. AS very
suggestive contribution to political analysis it can
be recommended to all who wish to acquire COM
prehensive view of the tendencies and forces of
modern political action.
"Hnts to Our Boys" by A. j. Symington Thomas
4. Crowell & co., are conveyed in a pleasant way
in a neat volume introduced by DR.. Lyman Abbott.
The hints" are all in the direction of clean and
honest manhood.
The Bowsham Puzzle" Funk & Wagnallsl, by
Mr. John HabbertOn, is an exceedingly poor speci-
men of a novel Its characters without vitality,
its plot is the cheap tragedy of Bowery stage and
its style is only worthy of the weekly newspapers
of the baser sort 1t is not credit either to the
author or the publishers.
"Bristling with Thorns" Detroit News Com
panv) is the title of a story of the Civil War aud
Reconstruction by Oct. Beard. 1t is full of vulgar
horrors the reorganization Of which serves no good
puTpOSe,