The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-29

speaker hoped that by impartial observance
OF the conduct OF federal judges 1t would
be seen that they have not greatly lacked
In the two essentials of judicial moral char
acter and sincere desire to reach right
conclusions accompanied by firmness to en-
fore them.
plauded throughout. At its close, on recon-
mendation of the general council forty
four new members were elected. thirteen OF
whom are from Michigan. After receiving
reports from the committee on judicial ad-
ministration and remedial procedure. and
the committee on legal education, the con-
vention adjourned ur..l this evening. This
afternoon the delegates gladly escaped
from the heat Of the convention hall and
enjoyed an excursion on the river.
William Writ Howe, or Louisiana, read
the first paper at this evenings session of
the convention. His subject was The Rela-
ton OF the Roman Law to the Law of
profound and entertaining resume OF the
development OF English law He traced the
growth Of the civil law from the ancient
pandects of Justianan through the devious
course of the ecclesiastical canons, TO the
law of Blackstone's time. Mr.. Howe re-
garded the ecclesiastics as the intellectual
aristocracy of England, and gave them
large share of the credit for having pre-
served the liberties OF the people and the
integrity of the law The Roman law ,.i,; rs
law by which We are governed in the
Western world" said the speaker. 1T was
the Emperor Trajan who ,, deslared hn11d that
than that the innocent should be condemned,
and this provision of our own law is clear
ly OF Roman origin: The trial by Jury Is as
gin. but was brought into England by the
Niormans and was grobabi&y & distanty sranos re, e.
lated to the law OF Rome: Ihe presence IN
the Roman pandects of the rudiments OF
the law of habeas corpus is of interest,
and, in fact, all the study of the old
sources of law will help US to a. perfect
understanding of our present law.
The ether paper of the evening was by
Richard Wayne Parker. of New Jersey. on
present scope OF nd Ine Prvste Ppnal
erty." Mr.. Parker discussed the question or
whether there is in our laws, any vestge
strength of the Roman law in the greatness
Of Rome. "The constitutional guarantees
of liberty said Mr.. Parker, "such as
habeas corpus and the right to trial by
jury. are familiar to every one; they are
almost platitudes. 1t seems now at first
sight that we have no need for these pro-
visions, for where are the enemies or lib
erty? But the needs of a growing civiliza-
ton make constant encroachments on the
liberties of the people, and public sentiment
seems TO support these encroachments. 1t
is certainly a grave question how far the
right of eminent domain may be left un-
trameled. No other country knows such un-
of our committee Is so rapid that it can
only be compared TO a harmful at
times. but beneficial in the end. Nowadays
we feel that must go with the tide, and
submit without murmuring to all the re-
suits Of the advance of civilization and the
increase Of public improvements. Soldiers
should never be made military police
citizens do not want il. The question of to-
day is where the checks may be found to
abate the possible tyrrannical use of the
powers of government.
Both papers were profound efforts. and
were listened to with close attention and
literally applauded A motion to postpone
discussion of the papers until Tomorrow
was lost. but motion to adjourn until
tomorrow. which Immediately followed,
prevailed.