Arizona weekly citizen., 1891-01-10
SLEEPING BEAUTIES.
Prominent Legal Opinions on the
 Lest Laws.

As the legal.machinery of the territory is practically at a stand still pending a decision of the supreme court on the pocket veto laws of Gov. Zulick much interest in manifest on the subject. A CITIZEN representative gathered the subioined opinions of leading legal lights as a matter of public interest
 UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEY
 JEFFoRDS
 stated that us he was not on the bench he would not adjud;cd:e the question or attempt to for the reason that he had talk en such steps in the habeas corpus case of Jeffords and Wilson as would within 30 days draw an opinion from the su- preme court of the United States which concluds every question in relation to the lost laws-and, which would be au- lucrative.
 DISTRICT ATTORNEY LOWELL.
 In my opinion the resurrected laws are of no force. I have no doubt but the supreme court will hold them in- valod, and will also decide that 60 days session means Go days and nothing else
 FRANK H. HEREFORD.
 The lost laws think for many reasons will be be lost to the territory, not only on the question now before the supreme court out on mInor matters. In my judgment the laws were killed by Gov. Zullck's pocket veto.
 JUDGE VIM. H. BARNES. 1.-the session of the legislative after 60 days was legal the laws may be legal. I think, however, the spirit of the statute on that point means 60 suc- cessive working days. There is point, however, which I have not observed in the papers; neither has it been brought out elsewhere. It is this. All laws must be submitted by the legislative as- sembly to congress and if disapproved become null and void It has been the practice of course to consider the laws operative at once, but in my opinion this neglect in this case vitiates the law.
 COL. JAMES A. ZABRISKIE.
 I believe the spirit of the law regarding the session of the legislature means 60 successive working days. If it were not so the bars are down for all sorts of chlcanery. It would open the doors for fraud and place premium for shirking duty. Arizona legislators do not re- quire any such premium. Law is sup posed to be the perfection of reason. Common law is common sense. l do not thlnk the lost laws will be sustained by the Supreme Court of the United States.
 GEN. THOS. E. WILSON.
 When the contest as to whether the legislature should hold 60 consecutive days or more came up was inclined to think the actIGn then taken was right. I have since changed my opinion. To illustrate. If man were elected to office for one year and chose to absent himself from his office any number of days, he could not be permitted to over-run the allotted time. Therefore l am of the opinion that any laws enacted after 60 days, or which the governor did not have in his possession 10 days Sunday excepted) before the expiration of 60 days are invalid. This question has been passed upon by attorney: Gen. Devins and Attorney General Miller who de- cided that the legislature could only;hold a session of 60 consecutive days. With these opinions I most heartily concur. I believe ln the question now before the supreme court this view will be sus- tained.
 JUDGE WRIGHT
 Believes the laws are legal because he construes the privilege sot legislative bodies to meet and adjourn until they have sat 60 days not necessary consecu- tive.