Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-05-27
A Legal Fiction.

Among late contributions to current
literature is a very amusing sketch OF
Scott, which appeared few months
ago in the Albany Lar Journal, and
which, by the way, we understand IL
is soon to be published in book form,
written hy Phil Skillman, Esq, Of this
city. 1t is listed in the contents of
that publication as \ Living Dead
Man, or the Strange Case of Moses
Scott" and is classified rs legal ro-
nance an assignment commanding
admiration for that precision which
the profession OF the law always en-
Joins and requires. The legal points
presented, the author in his preface
Declares the reader will readily class
under the head of fiction, along with
the records, decisions and proceedings
of the several courts through which
the case passed and from which copi-
Gus citations are made All other
matters, related or described, includ-
ing the death of Moses Scott, his ex-
perienceS beyond the grave, his return
to earth under the influence of that
wonderful "Immortal Matcrializer,"
and his re.translation to the land of
the blessed after he had lost in the
depths of Puget Sound the flask Of
that elixir by means of which he had
been enabled to materialize Gas the
spiritualists have iD and return to
earth, while engaged in the invigorat-
ing sport of fishing for salmon, he just
as solemnly asserts care facts, pure
and simple" of which lie has personal
knowledge!
The perfect adaptation OF the word
romance" by the publishers, in CLASH
flying the sketch, commands admira-
ton. Romance" an eminent au-
thority affirms, ais pure fiction, dis
tinguished from novel or tale by its
freedom from verisimilitude or reality.
while giving scope to imagination and
idealization. Romance proper is a
product OF the fancy rather than of
the creative imagination" That is
precisely the realm in which Mr..
Skillman has labored in presenting us
with the life, death, reincarnation and
second passage over Styx, of Moses
Scott.
Aside, however, from its fanciful ma
ture, it will serve an excellent purpose
in exposing the freaks and foibles of
bench and bar that pass unnoticed
from their frequent occurrence in legal
procedure. The many professional
qu:rks and statutory perversions are
made the subject of satire so smooth
and keen that, like razor whetted in
oil, it cuts to the bone without inflict-
ing the slightest pain. Every para
graph fairly sparkles with scintilla-
tions from this skilliully handled IA.
pier, and we hope and believe that the
legal profession will be immeasurably
benefited by the scars so pleasantly
made.
In the authors statements of fact"
it is pity that he did not give wide
enough rein to his fancy to have in
stalled heroine as we'll as a hero, and
extended the plot 80 as to have en-
braced few acts which respond from
that master MISREPRESENTATION
which no narrative of earthly Cor ce-
lestiaD life is perfect. Had this been
done, it would doubtless have found
much favor outside the legal profess
sion, and have served to amuse. as
we'll as to instruct, those learned in
the law. 1t would have had a mission
outside OF the circumscribed service it
will perform of mentor on many legal
points seldom presented, ably argued
and emphasized by that master power
wit.
1t may be that the authors venera-
ton for "facts, pure and simple"
handicapped him in his first literary
venture, or he may have omitted ex.
traneous matters to render more plain
and conspicuous the truthful narra-
ton of incidents in the strange case
and to present more forcibly the legal
points therein raised, which, of course,
professional pride would justify, and
it plainly shows the leading disposition
of all good lawyers, to strike" all
allegations that were insufficient or
immaterial, from the record.
1t had been the intention of the
writer to give a review of GA Living
Dead Man." but space will not now
admit of fair presentation of the
subject, and we must be content with
an expression of appreciation rather
than demonstration of the quality of
the feast spread for the special delec.
tation of the legal fraternity.
The monitor Monterey, ordered
from Puget Sound to Manila, will have
to be towed all the way to her new
field of labor. Her coal capacity is
barely sufficient for a two days supply.
She is now in the drydock ut San