The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-09
SEATTLE. THURSDAY. MAY o.


The last wisconsin legislature took
etep IN the line of progress by auihoriz-
ing the appointment OF board 10 be call
Ell commissioners for the promotion OF
uniformity. of legislation In the United
States" II IL made the duty of the com
rnissioners to examine the legislation OF
the various states on the subjects Of mar
rage and divorces. insolvency. notariai
certificates. deseeue and distribution OF
property. acknowledgements of deeds. ETC..
execution OF wills. and mo probate there
OF. commercial paper. and In general all
subjects on which II is desirable that
there should be uniformity In the legisla-
ton Of the different states.
They are also authorized TO consult
with or meet In convention such commits
sloners with like powers. who may be APP
pointed by other states. and with such
other commissioners 20 jointly draft uni
form laws on these subjects. TO be sub
mltted to the legislatures OF the different
states.
II is high time that an earnest effort
should be put forth 10 secure some de-
gree OF uniformity In the legislation of
the various states on these and kindred
subjects There is nothing in the charac-
ter OF the population OF any one state
which would render II advisable or neces-
sary for them to have different code Of
laws from their neighbcrs. One compre-
hensive system. carefully prepared. would
answer precisely as well for one state
as another.
The truth IL that our Federal system Is
exceedingly huuglesome in its operations
with its forty odd legislative bodies meet
ing annually or hlennially. and In every
session altering. amending and changing
the various codes. The statute law Of the
various states Is In a most chaotic condl-
ton. 1t takes fair share OF the prac-
ticing attorneys time 10 keep himself In
formed on the changes which take place
every legislative session IN the laws OF his
own state, and as 70 the conditions OF
the statutes or the states even Immediate
~ adjoining his own. he never dreams OF
attempting to keep posted.
Tho Wisconsin idea Is a good one. IL
can he enlarged. however. on the same
general lines. much 10 tho benefit Of the
whole country. Every state at present
has separate code of civil procedure.
Not one OF these codes Is exactly salts
factory. Every session OF every leglsla-
turc takes a hack al amending them Is
Il not possible for concerted action 10
be had BY all or a fairly large number of
the states, Tor an Interstate code COM
mission. composed OF eminent lawyers. 20
meet and prepare = uniform system. SIM
pie but comprehensive. 20 cover the whole
field OF a civil code. which can be submit
TED 10 the legislatures Of the different
states end adopted ny them.
The advantages OF such a uniform sys-
tenn OF laws are too obvious to enlarge
upoa. No substantial reason can he
urged Why such uniformity should no, be
had. Tho only possible objection would
b the difficulty OF procuring the lcEiSla-
ton from the requisite number or states.
ard the further objection that even after
the uniform code was aaoptod g. woulI
he almost impossible Ter the various
ststos 20 refrain from amending them AZ
every session.
The first objection can - obviated II
there Is any marked pablo sentiment be
hind demand Tor s>ich a reform as this.
legislatures with quickly act THE cvca-
tiou % me public demand FOR uniformity
q legislation Is = slow presses hut Il can
Be done. The other objection f. a more
serSoas one. No tadueement has vet rrea
found strong enough % persuade Fho aver
age legislature 20 let good enough law
alone. SO that code of laws whsch costs
state an immense sum 20 compile BE-
comes obsolete almost as soon as &c
leaves the hands of THE printer. owing 20
tie numerous amendments added 20 Il.