The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-25

gerOus and NAV be as despotic and abso-
lutte az too much executive power
.'lt has been asserted that the courts
not only make laws by their rulings but
make much law as the legislative
branch. A great English justice IS quo
ted as saying. III make more laws than
both branches of parliament. The leg
islatlve is prospective the Judicial Is
retrospective.
In speaking Of the veto power. DIR.
Rodgers said that Washington vetoed
two measures, Lincoln three and Cleve-
land s0l. "Ihis prevents not only bad
laws but defeats good ones.
he question suggests ITSELF DIT
Rodgers continued, whether the law
making powers should be lodged in
legislative Assem- Dlage composed Of
large or small number representatives..
The ratio for representation Ia the l nit
ec states is smaller than in most foreign
countries. W are sometimes told that
IT'D multitude of counseI0rs there IS safe
II. It is also claimed that it Is easier to
corrupt a small body than a larger one,
and therefore there is less likelihood IF
corrupt and scandalous legislation where
the laW-making assembly IS composed of
many members. Bur it may be doubted
whether our experience liza
the United States iustihes
the claim thus made. In some of our
legislatures where the membership has
been the largest the most venal and in-
The big membership theory has not
everywhere worked well as q safeguard
against corruption Alexander Hamilton
expressed the opinion that the greater
the number in all legislative assemblies.
the fewer viii be the men who in fact
direct their proceedings. On framing
the fundamental law Of our states this
statement Of HamiltOns should be ac
cepted as a sound principle of political
science and one that can not be disre-
b. 4rsf4f stnf frt rtr4r ash rINf l-s1l
The speaker said that legislatures had
degenerated in late years, and nearly all
the questionable legislation has been
enacted since 1916
DR.. Rogers address was greeted with
applause. and he closed before c0mplet-
too late III will be printed in fun 10 the
minutes of the association. A vote of
thanks was rendered Mr.. Rogers.
Among those admitted to the society
we're WI H. Bishop. Salina. j. McCabe
Moore, Kansas City; ID. W. Mulvane.
Topeka, Hon. j. w. Davis, kiowas Judge
h. B. Spilman, Manhattans III. a.. Branf,
Hays City; Judge William Thomson,
Burlingame, Robert Brock. Manhattan;
Associate Justice S. ii. Allen. and Ralph
Ingalls, OF Topeka.
Among those present last night weres
Chief Justice A. II. Horton and daugh-
ter. Associate Justices johnson and
Allen; Frank Doster. j. b. Larimer, "a. As.
GODDARD. j. I'D. Mcrar4anQ, Judge Handy
w. s.. S. Bird and Mrs. Bird Arthur Me
Cahe. j. w. Day, James A. Troutman. II.
q. Root, WI al. shook, Judge Stebbins, Is.
Is. Welch and Mrs. 81 elch, Attorney Gems
eral j. T. Little, j. 6. Wood. John Guth-
rie. A. B. Campbell. G. j. Brown, A. b.
y gilmore, j. I'll. Dennis, Judge " aIentnes
w. S. Ferry, a. N. Dana, u. 1T. D0rans
Pat Coney j. IT. Guy, f. II. Foster, j. T.
Fulton, Scott Rice Rev Dr. Anderson.
Bernard Kelly, Rev. Dr. Embree. Dr. H.
W. Boby, S. r. Howe, Martin Mohler,
Rev j. b. Thomas
Among those from out of town who are
present are: John W. Roberts, Hutehin-
son John d 1Iillikin, Mcpherson. il. IL
Martin, Hutchinson; j. r. Mcclure.
Junction City: Chas. w. Webster, Nc
Phers8n: Judge al. j. abbott. Garden
City. Judge Lucien Earle, Mcpherson:
Sam kimble. Manhattan; NcCahe Moore,
Kansas Citys W. s. Roark, Sharon Springss
ill., Il. Alden, Kansas Citys Ihos. T. Bond,
Salina; Il. S. Beriram. Council Grove. III.
w Gleason, Hutchinson. o. j. Miller,
Kansas City. 81. B. Nicholson Council
Grove; W. ii. Morris, Girard. Judge Il.
B. Spilman, Manhattan: @ O. Coleman
Clay Center. Judge I'm. Thomson, Bur
lingame; i. II. Perkins. Lawrence: Frank
Doster, Marion; #. j. White. Kansas Citys
Dr. NJ. Picker. Smith Center