Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-18

There is hardly a person. lawyer or layman,
who has business in our courts who does not
realize the almost absolute necessity for a COM
pilation of the laws i'll force in the District of
Columbia. We have in operation here now
not only the laws enacted by Congress. but
some inherited from Maryland. besides acts OF
the late city councils of Washington and
Georgetown, the Levy court of the county, and
the legislature of the District, and III addition
10 all these the common law. Consequently
there has always been more or less of
muddle, and it has required considerable
study To determine what Is really the law. In
the early part of the century there was more or
less friction, and the old records show a few
cases where Offenses punished by magistrates
were prosecuted before the old Circuit Court
of the District of Columbia. Among the laws
inherited are a number passed by the general
assembly of Maryland and since repealed by
that body; but the repeal being after the ces-
sion Of the District 10 the general government,
these old laws are still in force here. although.
for the most part. they are not enforced. Yet,
being the law. and of "A date when the branding
iron. the whipping post, the pillOry. and the
galiows were used In cases of stealing or bur-
giary, these sections of the law seem sadly out
of place III this more enlightened age.
Among the laws now on the books is one
which. II enforced. would subject every Uni
tartan and hosts Of other people to trial for
blaspheMy, and on conviction to a sentence of
being burned ON the tongue.
The passage by Congress of the act looking
20 a compilation OF the laws gave much salts
faction 90 the bar generally, but the meager
sum appropriated for the work Will not induce
many applicants for positions commissioners
To present themselves. III fact none seem 10
have come forward so far.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT
are a. follows:
''Bs aer.acted. &c. That the Supreme Court
OF the District Of Columbia be, and is hereby,
authorized and directed to appoint two persons
learned IN the law ~ commissioners to compile,
arrange, and classify, with proper index, all
statutes and parts of statutes in force in the
saId District. including the acts of the second
session Ot the EIttlcth Congress, and elating to
al such matters as would properly come within
the scope Of a civil and criminal code: and the
saId court shall have power to Ill any vacancies
occurring IN said commission.
See. ?. That each OF the said commissioners
shall receive for his services such sum. not ex-
ceedIng $3.50. as said court shall deem reason
able; said sum 10 be paid upon the completion
Of the work and the approval thereof IN writing
BY the court, which sums, together with the
reasonable costs incurred by the commission
for clerical assistance and incidental expenses
not excee ding the sum of 81 zoo, shall be paid
By the Secretary of the Treasury out Of any
moneys not otherwise appropriated One-half To
lie paid out VI the revenues of the District Of
Columbia
Sec. 8. That Of said compilation. when COM
Ylct,d. upon the order Of the supreme Court of
the District OF Columbia. there shall be printed
J.UoO copies at the government printing office
saId copies " be sold al ~ per centum above
SO-t"