The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-27

patent Office The discussion that fol-
lowed inttmated that the members
thought the suggestion impracticable
Francis Forbes. Of New York. read a
paper in which he reiterated the history
OF the movement for the protection OF in
dustrial property. The papers Of Messrs.
Reed. Raymond and Forbes were referred
10 the committee Of fifteen OF the patent
laws section 10 report next year.
The committee on uniform state laws
submitted the following. Thirty states
and one territory have now appointed CON-
missioners on uniform state laws. Caiifor-
MIA and Arizona having joined the confer
ence during the past year. The negotiable
instruments act, copied substantially from
the English act on bills and notes revised
and recommended for adoption by the con-
ference Of the commissioners last year. has
become Law in the states of New York
Colorado and Florida. IL has passed one
branch of the legislature in several states
but failed in the other branch, chiefly as
has been reported, because sufficient time
had not been given for the consideration OF
50 important measure
The conference az its session this week
formulated no new measures. An act on
divorce and one on sales are being pre-
pared.
Federal Criminal Laws.
The committee on Federal code of Grim
inal procedure reported that soon after
their appointment at the last meeting OF
the American Bar Association an inter-
change Of views OF the members OF the
COMMITTEES was sought as 10 the best meth
DDS of reaching the objects in view-action
by congress, directly or indirectly inifiaf-
ing reforms and improvements in criminal
procedure In the Federal courts Sugges-
tons have been received from quite a
number of United States district attor-
neys, but no report was made in view of
the fact that the president had recently
appointed commissioners to revise and
codify the criminal and penal laws of the
United states under an act of congress.
The same committee. TO which was re-
ferred the question. reported that they
were Of the opinion that il was not expe-
dent 10 provide by law for the compen-
sation OF counsel for accused persons on
trial in the United States courts in all
cases, bat that, in the case of persons in
dicted for crimes punishable by death or
imprisonment for life. some provision
OF law should be made for the employment
and compensation of counsel for the de-
tense. such as is found In some Of the
state statutes. The revised statutes of the
United States provide for the assignment
Of counsel in capital cases. not exceeding
two. as the accused may desire. but no
provision is made for the compensation of
such counsel
The committee on patent laws submitted
an interesting piece of legislation
Mr.. Francis Rowel. of Philadelphia,
treasurer of the association. reported a bal
anee of S3.062 in the treasury.
Al the evening session a telegram was
read from United States Senator G. f.
Hoar- asking that a committee of five be
appointed by the association to investigate
the United States circuit and district
courts and TO formulate plan whereby
the two can be consolidated or entirely
separated, 50 that it will be impossible for
the judge of one court TO sit in the other
A resolution was adopted authorizing the
appointment of the committee as sug-
gested.
Robert Mather, of Chicago. read pa
per on Constitutional Construction and
the Commerce Clause" Eugene Wam-
baugh OF Cambridge, Mass. read a paper
on The Present Scope of Government"