New-York tribune., 1900-04-21
ENDING Statutory REVISION.


One of the most important bills passed in the
last days Of the Legislatures session was that
one abolishing the Statutory Revision Commits
sion. So many other measures of greater popu-
lar interest attracted attention and comment
that the Legislature has probably not received
its due share of credit for overcoming easy
going, good natured impulses and doing duty
which was no doubt ungra teful to many mem
bers. The Statutory Revision Commissioners
were well intrenched in power and official IA
vor. They have been able TO do many good
turns to Senators and Assemblymen. and have
a natural and creditable hold on their respect
and goodwill. One of the Commissioners Is
also the Governors official legal adviser, and in
that capacity. OF course is influential, not
merely in the Executive Chamber. but among
lawmakers who have anything TO be passed
upon in the Executive Chamber That under
such circumstances politicians should have
listened TO the voice of professional opinion
against the continuation of statutory revision
is highly gratifying.
The passage of the bill also shows the great
strength of the legal profession when il is
united any matter of public policy even
| though strong political interests may be work
ing in the other direction. The bar associations
of this State and city. and also associations
In several of the smaller cities. were unani-
nous IN prOnouncing the work of statutory
revision as not merely useless. but harmful 1t
has been in progress for many years. much
longer than any previous effort in the same
direction, and has accomplished nothing Of
substantial value Laws which, whatever their
defects, had been construed by the courts so
that the meaning of their language was known
were subjected to arbitrary verbal changes and
clouded with uncertainty. Successive acts
some of which operated to repeal parts of
others. were Jumped and re-enacted all to-
gether of the same date, thus giving re-
pealed sections equal force with repeating sec
tons. Instead of giving the State a compact
body Of revised statutes. the Commission has
left its work buried in the mass of session
laws and almost inaccessible in any authori-
tatve form This has finally become unen-
durable, and, brought face TO face with the
same confusion threatening the code. the legal
profession has aroused itself to action
The Governor at present has the abolition
measure in his hands among the thirty day
bills Some lawyers who believed they had as
surances that it would be Immediately signed
If passed are beginning TO watch its fate with
some anxiety. but doubtless without reason
The Governor is wise 10 study the thirty day
bills with care and delberation. His grea test
danger is Of jumping at conclusions and sign
ing some plausible bill in the rush which larger
knowledge would show TO be vicious In the
matter OF appropriations, for instance Gov
ernors have habtually held back as long as
possible and scrutinized them item by item to
give the people the full benefit Of the salutary
provision of the State Constitution allowing
the Governor TO exercise the veto on parts OF
supply bills The Statutory Revision measure
is, however. one that Will stand all possible
light and cannot fail to commend itself TO the
Governor when its turn comes for his atten-
ton. Ii makes liberal provision for legal ad-
vice OF the Executive. n function hitherto at
tached to one of the Commissioners. that in