The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-14

EssAzt - A-At fAEAA
active practice of hts profession. Mr..
Field attained special promlnenee in con-
nectfon with his labors IN the cause of law
REFORM As early IS $50 he wrote Let
ter on the Reform OF the Judiciary Sys-
TEN" and afterwari addressed . committee
Of the New York legislature or the subject.
In 1871 ne prepared three bills, which were
introduced, but the Judiciary committee,
TO whom they were referred, failed
to take any action on them. In
ls46 he wrote series Of articles on "The
Reorgani xztion of the Judiciary which
were widely distributed in pamphlet form.
His influence was felt in the constitu-
tienai convention OF 1886. and the report
OF that convention called for q general
code and the reform Of the practice"
Before the legislature met in January, iS47.
he published What Shall Be Done With
the Practice of the Courts? Shall II Be
Wholly Rsformed7 Questions Addressed
10 Lawyers" In September. ls47. he was
appointed commissioners on practice and
pleadings. and as such took part in the
preparation Of the code of procedure. The
commission reported the first installment
TO the legislature in February, and 1t WAS
enacted in April. ls4a The remainder
was reported IN four sections at different
times until January. 1sJ0. when the COM
pleted Codes Of Civil and Criminal Pro-
Both these codes were enacted into law.
The radical design of the new system of
civii procedure was TO obliterate the dis
tinction between the forms Of action and
between legal aud equitable suits, so that
all the rights of the parties in relation to
the subjects OF litigation can be deter
mined In one action, instead OF dividing
them between different suits. This sys-
tenn has been adopted in twenty-tour of
the states and territories. and 10 the basis
OF the legal reform established by the new
judicasure act in England, aud of the
practice in several of the English colonies,
including India. Eighteen OF the states
and territories adopted Fields code of
criminal procedure. For some years fol-
lowing the enactment of these laws
he continued to publish numer-
Gus pamphlets. including the
LAW Reform Tracts" also frequent
articles IN the journals, and drafted bills
that were introduced into the legislature
for the purpose OF etfecting the completion
pointed by the state OF New York head of
q commission TO prepare political code. =
penal code and civil code. These. with
the two codes of procedure previously
made, were designed 10 supersede the IN
written or common law. They were conn.,
pieted in is6o and covered the entire
province OF American Law. and presented
law by which they were governed. Other
states have drawn largely from the civil
code in their legislation, and California
and Dakota Adopted the codes in full. In
1856 he brought before the British Associ-
alton tor the Promotion of Social Science,
at its meeting in Manchester, England, q
proposal tor general revision and reform
of the law of nations similar to that which
he had before undertaken in regard 10 the
civil and criminal law. He procured the
appointment of committee consisting of
eminent jurisis OF different countries
charged with preparing and reporting to
the association the outlines of an interna-
tional code. 10 be first submitted to their
careful revision and amendment, and,
when made AZ compete as pos
ssbie, TO be presented TO the atten-
ton of tho different governments, in
the hope of receiving at some time their
approval aad adoption as the recognized
Law OF nations. The distinguished jurists
composing ihis committee resided in
different countries. aud hence it was diffi-
cult for them TO act IN concert In conse-
quenee Mr.. Field took the whole matter
upon himself, and in 1873, after the lapse
OF seven years, presented to the Social
Science Congress his Outlines OF an In
ternational Code. F" which attracted the at
iension Of all iarists and has been trans
later into French. Italian and Chinese.
Ii resulted IN the formation af an associs~
ton for the reform and codiiieation of The
laws OF nations. also having for its object
the substitution Of arbitration for war in
the settlement of disputes between coun-
tries. The membership Includes jurists,
economists, legislators and politicians
and of this organization Mr.. Field was
elected first president. An eminent cham
celior Of England said that Mr.. Dudley
Field, of New York, had done more for
the reform OF laws than any other man
living" Mr.. Field took much iaseres. IN
politics. Originally Democrat. he voted
with that party. although he persis,entiy
opposed It's pro-siayery policy, un-
tii the nomination Of John C.
Fremont in 1855, whom lie sur
ported In the pres dental canvass
OF that year. Daring the ciYll war he Vas
a siaaneh adherent of the administration.
and vas active with voice, pen and purse
in All 81 his country. For eight weeks in
lsib he tilted the unexpsrci term In con-
gFess OF smith Ely, who had been made
mayor OF New York city. He then acted
with the Democratic party. aAd sss one OF
the advocates on that aide IN the dispute
over the presidential election. He deliv-
bred numerous addresses and contributed
very largely 10 carrent literature on polif!-
cal topics. Gss ''eSesehes Over the Sea-
appeared in the Des4oevotie Reasesr at the
time OF bis iirss trip abroad III lssa6 and lie
published speeches. Arguments ana Ms