Arizona republican., 1900-08-30
AMERICAN LAWYERS
The National Bar Association
 In Convention
Chairman Manderson Reviews the Congressional Legislation During the Past Year and Addresses Him. self to the Goebel Law.

Saratoga Springs, N. Y, Aug. 29.- Leading jurists and members of the bar from all parts of the country filed convention hall at 10:30 o'clock this morning. when President Charles F. Manderson of Omaha called to order the twenty-third annual meeting of the American Bar Association. The roll call by Secretary John Hinkley of Bal timore showed an unusually large at tendance. After the usual formalities incident to the opening of the conven- ton President MandersOn proceeded with the reading of his annual ad- dress.
 After stating the purposes and re- suits accomplished by the American Bar association in the twenty-three years of it's history. President Mander- son paid tribute to the memory of Ed ward J. Phelps. William C. Endicott, Sherman s. Rogers, Lord Russell of KilloWen, and other eminent members of bench and bar who have passed away since the last convention. The president then spoke at considerable length in favor of the proposed inter- national bureau for the unificatiOn of the law, and quoted from the corre- spondence of Secretary Hay in relation to the subject.
 Concerning the enactments of con- gress at it's last session President Man derSon said
 Tt is doubtful if any congress has had to deal with problems more diff cult and legislation more important in it's results than the first session of the fifty sixth, which began December 1. 1899, and adjourned on June :, 1909. The law making mania is in evidence from the fact that in the senate there were introduced 4.96l bills, and in the house 2,220. Of these there were enacted 197 public and 729 private laws. Many of the bills bearing upon subjects of grave import are in the hands of the com mittees, or upon the over burdened cal endars of the two houses. and will re- ceive consideration at the next sas- sion. The legislation accomplish d has reached into the very heart of the oif- fult questions presented, and many of the unusual responsibilities that de- Volved upon the federal legislature have been met with fearlessly and with a wisdom that time will prove. Hawaii had come to us by voluntary action and the laws essential for her annexation and government were pressing. Alaska, with q greatly increased population, excited and feverish in their pursuit of the precious metals on the CO.'S line and on the Yukon, was, as she has been for many years, practically without law. The transition from disorder under Spain to order under the United States had to be accomplished in Porto Rico, and her relative status determined The condition of affairs in the distant Philippines were disturbing and the army and navy needed the legislation that would permit efficiency. Our guar dianship over Cuba brought up much Co disturb. fixed standard of value was needed to bring about stability in busi- ness. Active industry in all the trades was demanding a large VO,Ume of the circulating medium. Valuable treaties with other powers were pending for the consideration of the senate.
 An important eXtradition act, grow ing out of our peculiar relations with Cuba and the commission of grave of lenses there by those entrusted by the United States with important duties. is that passed on June 6, which provides that Whenever any foreign country or territory is occupied by or is under the control of the United States, any per son who shall violate the criminal laws therein. and shall have fled from justiC @ to this country. shall be liable to arrest and detention by the authorities of the united States and on request of the military governor, or other executive officer in control of such foreign coun- try. shall be suITendered for trial und=r the laws in force where the offence was committed. The proceeding prior to cXtradition must be had before Unit ed States judge and probable cause of guilt must be established. No person charged with political offenses shall be returned
 President Manderson then proceeded to review at length the federal legis- lation regarding Hawaii and Porto Rico, and followed with d review of the work in the several state legisla- lures.
 Reviewing the late conflict between the legislature and the governor of Kentucky. the speaker said:
 The last general assembly of the commonwealth of Kentucky was more prolific in that which was sensational than in that which was legislative, and for time the reign of the rifle was more in evidence than the reign of the law. The legislative and executive branches of the state government were III a condition of demoralization diff cult to depict. and it became the prov lnce of the highest federal tribunal to bring some degree or order out of the chaotic state that bid fair to wreck the local government. The prime cause of the difficulty is not far to seek Two years ago an act known as the Goebel law was passed, which was evidently intended to serve personal and party ends without reference to the wish of voters as expressed at the poIls. and was certainly a most pernicious and evil measure. It seemed to be framed on the idea, let who will cast the votes SO that l may do the counting
 'The law put the entire machinery of elections in the hands of three commi-- sioners, chosen by the legislature. Naturally they would be of the same political faith as the majority of the general assembly. These commission |