The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-28

city OF New York. the frapoSsihslsty of r
general and equal enforcement Of TIE laws
and the revolving injustice of partial e.
fort have had the effect Of leading thc ex-
ecutfve officers u wholly abandon any
serious attempt AZ rigid enforcement
The condition OF what arc called
sumptuary Laws Is equally discre6itaSle 10
our knowledge. both Of the science
Of legislation ard the teachings Of expert
ence The task % enforcing them against
the passions. the beliefs and the interests
% raultitudes can b. accomplished only
bv A despot armed with unlimited power.
II know OF nothing more needed among
rs than a Geepe1sd conviction that the
sphere Of legislation. like that OF other
forms OF human activity. has its proper
limits which can never be exceeded with
out mischief. Tire science Of legislation
should embrace. as I conceive. two prin-
cipai branches: First. the Just limits OF
the province OF legislation: that is 10 say
what subjects are really II for legislative
action as distinguished from those that
should he left TO the disposition OF the
courts. or 10 the discipline that proceeds
from the moral agencies Of society The
other important branch is tho study of the
proper manner in which subjects fit for
legislative action should be treated: that
Is TO say. the art OF framing appropriate
and effective laws. Fhe laws of The peo-
PIE should of course. ne devised and
shaped IN accordance with their traditions
and their character. and so far as these
differ IL is neither possible nor desirable
10 have entire uniformity in laws. But the
resemblance in character and traditions
between the people OF the states Of the
Union are far greater than the differences,
and this renders uniformity in many par
ticuars practicable. Is there no way in
which a people essentially one can secure
TO themselves the prodigious benefits that
in
"Our unwritten law is already suhstan-
TALLY the same. and that I have always
regarded as an impressive reason for ali
staining from any attempt TO reduce il
into written forms. which would at once
tend 10 plunge IL into diversity. What
ever can be done 10 secure this desired
uniformity must be done by voluntary
concerted action. The appointment made
by several states during the last year of
commissions designed 10 forward this ef-
fort affords us much encouragement So
far as the unwritten law is concerned,
this uniformity will be approached as RAP
idly as should be desired by the operation
Of the unconscious forces OF human so
ciety. But the positive legislative deter
limitations OF nations can be assimilated or
reconciled only by conscious and concerted
action. Much has already been accom-
plished in this direction by treaties and
by those concurrently adopted regulations
operative upon the sea, the common do
main of all nations The wise furtherance
OF this benefcent work depends upon the
intelligent oversight and cooperation OF
the enlightened Jurists Of the world
Following the presidents address the
executive commissioner announced the
election Of twenty-seven new members
during the past year. The general coun-
ell reported its approval OF 119 nomins
tons for membership. all of whom were
thereupon elected unanimously. The sec
rotary reported liza members on the roll.
beside those elected today and during the
year A balance of So, 700 was shown by
the report of the treasurer.