The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-29
STATE CODE OF LAWS.
Georgia Modelled Hers After That Of
Alabama.

georgia Modelled Hers After That of
Alabama.
One of the most interesting papers read
at the annual meeting of the Georgia Bar
Association at Augusta on May Is was that
of Hon. Richard H. Clarke of Atlanta. It
was on the Code of &c 3rgia, and the following
extract from it makes interesting mention
of one who was distinguished citizen of
Savannah:
''At the time of the law providing for a
code, there were but few codes in the United
States; as l remember, five in number:
those of Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, Cal
ifornia ana Louisiana. Codes were not pop
ular-codes were deemed impracticable and
to some extent impossible. &c ,rgia had
been state nearly a century and had not
felt the need of code. Princes Digest of
1887, succeeded by Cobb's of 1850, seemed
all that was necessary, and when the legis-
lature of 1858 made provision for a code,
and code that would be such an innova-
ton. the whole state was surprised. Indeed,
the legislature itself was taken by surprise
The history of 1t is this: George A. Gordon
was member of the House from Chatham.
he was young lawyer, aged only rs years.
He had married in Huntsville, Ala, and of
course made visits to that place. There he
iutermingled with many Of the best lawyers
in that state. BE heard them extol the
OOoo VI AIdUdLld, duOpUeu IN lSOS. he 0X-
amined and fell in love with the Alabama
Code. particularly with its plan and style.
He determined, if he could accomplish it.
Georgia should have a code of the same
| kind. He went further. He conceived
the idea of embracing a codification of
the common law of force in Georgia. In
pursuance of this purpose it will be found,
by reference to the House journal of 1858,
| that on Nov. ~, among other bills intro
duced by Mr.. Gordon of Chatham, was one
| to provide for the codification of the laws of
| Georgia. By that bill the prospective code
was to be on the plan of the Alabama code
v hich should, as nearly as practicable,
embrace in a condensed form the laws of
| Georgia, whether derived from the common
| laws, the constitution, the statutes of the
| state, the decisions of the supreme court
or the statutes Of England in force in
| this state The law also prescribed that
| the legislature was to elect three commits
sioners to execute the work. 1t is manifest
| from this statement that the design of the
code, including the feature that distinguishes
| it from other codes, originated with Mr..
| Gordon. There is some doubt as to who is
the author of our judiciary act of 1899, that
distinguished Georgia from her sister states
by abolishing special pleading, but there is
no doubt that George A. Gordon origi--
mated the Code of Georgia, and that by
| lis efforts and influence secured the enact
menu requiring IT, 1hls, together with the
success of the code, make a
brief reference to his history appropriate.
| He was the oldest son of William w. Cor
don of Savannah distinguished lawyer
of that city, prominent official in city.
county and state affairs, and was the first
president of the Central Railroad and
Banking Company. he died as far,back as
the year 1912, and to his memory monu-
ment has been erected in the city of Savan-
nah. He (George) was born Sept 81, 1880,
and was admitted to the bar JAM 10. 1850.
He was a member of the Senate aud
the House. In the "War between
the states" he was colonel OF
the Sixty-third Georgia regi-
rnent. While at Kennesaw, his regiment
| forming part Of MERGERS brigade Of Gen.
| Johnston's army at Dalton, he contracted
| typhoid fever, from the effects of which he
| never fully recovered. In 1865 he moved
to Huntsville, Ala, and gradually declining
from disease contracted during the war, he
died in 1872. l had the pleasure OF his
personal acquaintance. Like his father, he
had superior mind, we'll adapted to law
was practical aud useful; and in his appear
ance and manners was fine specimen of
the thoroughbred gentleman of the tide
water region of Georgia and the Carolinas. y
SIN which yard did you lose the ball, my
boyf''
"The one with the dog in n-Netc YORK Sun.