New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-22

is settled on the other hand a considerable body
obscure and poorly expressed code provisions by
clear and concise expressions as to practice ana
ali to determine the theory on which they shall
They will find so great difference OF opinion
among members OF the bar that they probably VIII
not be aided much in reaching conclusion on TINS
subject by the answers to MOUTHS h Whrh 'nes
reached the revisers WILL however. be assisted by
round '' minor defects Existing in the code which
have not thus far been remedled by legislation
The Torrens system of land transfer has made
such progress that cases In which land transfer
acts have been construed already collected in
separate volumes and will soon form consider
able body OF judicial literature. The first volume
OF collected by W. Howard Hunter, OF
OsgCode Hail. Canada, contains an interesting
summary OF the legislation on the registry OF land
titles Robert Richard Torrens who held legal and
judicial appointments under the Government OF
South Australia prepared the early statutes which
have formed the basis of all subsequent legisla-
ton. The first act was passed In 1858 The real
property act OF 1861 largely superseded that OF
three years before. and has remained with only a
few changes IL followed upon the report OF a
royal commission. of which MIR. Torrens was a
member, and which examined carefully the whole
Sers who We're IN favor or opposed to the system
The Colony of Victoria adopted the system in 1862,
quickly followed. New Zealand passed transfer
act in 1870. and West Australia In 1874 The sys-
1876. and by more comprehensive acts in 1894 The
provinces of Ontario Mant S and British cE
acts being passed In the years from 1885, TO 1883.
IN LAYS sa ba h9 the Sf
instead Of compulsory provisions and the
general adoption OF the system. Illinois is the only
State of the Union which has yet passed laws for
the registration of land titles The Illinois statute
OF the present year allows any county to adopt the
system upon majority vote IN Its favor The
pal arguments In favor Of It's adoption.
The abolition OF the Court OF Common Pleas and
the Superior Court have among their consequences
the retirement from office OF OF the officials
who have been In faithful service for many years
Among the most conspicuous OF these Is Chief
Clerk Thomas Boese. OF the Superior Court. who
has held once In that court for over twenty years
and was also for many years connected with other
courts He has TO remarkable degree the con-
fdence of the judges and has been able to make re-
forms In the office until II is now one OF the most
The members of the bar have met with courtesies
at his hands and he has trained his deputies to like
efficiency ard pouenesS.
The assistant engineer OF the Criminal Court in
Chicago has recently suffered a penalty for dis
courtesy toward Jurors The Chicago drinking
water Is not In itself object be greatly desired
II other liquids be obtained, but the Jurors who
locked overnight to deliberate upon their YER
diet do get thirsty. and sometimes find 1t difficult to
obtain water. The supply is pumped to a cstern
in the Court Building, and after the usual labors Of
the day the workmen about the building unwill-
ing to keep the pumps In motion. Two OF the
juries compelled to remain ali night without
water. A third jury. having a similar experience,
recently complained to the assistant engineer. who
answered them roughly and refused TO aid them.
The Jurors afterward complained to Judge Payne
and the Judge called the engineer before him and
fined him s25 Even under the most ancient
toms Jurors were allowed TO have bread and writer
while considering their verdict The variety OF
food allowed Is now greater than in ancient times.
but the only liquid still allowed IL water. The
cruelty OF depriving the Jurors who
thirsty enough 10 desire Chicago water was evil
dent and the Judge justified In finding the city
ofiica, guilty OF contempt OF court
Judge Gibbons Of the Cook County Court OF Hi
nois has recently considered the question to
whether a building and loan association can make
voluntary assignment He decides that II cannot.
The association. ne says does not need to create
debts and the board OF directors has power only
70 manage It's affairs. The drectors even II the
ma jOriy OF the stockholders consent. cannot begin
proceedings for the voluntary assignment Of the
association The question which Judge Gibbons
answered Is one that has not TO hts knowledge
been previously considered by any court but may
be OF interest TO the officers OF similar associations
who have not known Of their lack Of power to