The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-08
CoMMENDs THE COMMISSION.
State Bar Thoroughly I'm Sympathy
with Work of Codifyfng Statutes.

with Work of COdifyfng Statutes.
The State Bar Association is thoroughly
in sympathy with the labors of the COM
mission provided for by the recent General
Assembly to codfy the corporation laws of
the State. In adopting the report of its
committee jurisprudence and law reform
yesterday the association warmly approves
the purpose Of the Legislature and COM
mends the action of the Governor in Sc
lecting such men as Judge Howard and
Judge Chapman for members of the COM
mission. The commission is acting wisely,
the committee believes, in seeking the coun-
sci of lawyers of the State as TO the task
Ii has before II.
The report Is made by the following gen.
tlemen. members of the committee on juris-
prudence and law reform: Edwin z. Ham
Bays. Charles L. Jewett, Lincoln Dixon.
]. T. Beasley, Ephraim Marsh. John r.
Wilson, William III. Echhorn, John II.
Gould. U. S. Lesh. Waipole c. Colerick
The report in full is as follows: ''The
committee congratulates this association
that the report of the committee on juris-
prudence and law reform, submitted at the
last annual meeting of the association, SO
far as adopted by the association, was In
all substantial respects favorably consid-
cred by the Legislature at its last session,
in the passage of an act concerning pro-
ceedings In civil procedure (Avts 1903. Page
$780,.
as a valuable advancement in simplifying
the methods of practice In trial and appel
late courts, doing away with useless bills
of exceptions and avoiding technicalities
pertaining thereto, which have grown up
in the practice. greatly TO the Inconvenience
of the bench and the bar. and often pre-
venting the decision on the real merits or
the case on appeal.
THE Legislature at its last session (Acts
1908, Page 1917, passed an act entitled An
compilation, revision and codification of the
statute laws of Indiana concerning public,
private and other corporations. including
statutes concerning combinations and
trusts, and also statutes relating to high
ways and drainage, and such other statute
laws OF the State of Indiana as such COM
appointment Of the commissioners, preserib-
ing their powers and duties, the compensa-
ton OF the commissioners, and providing for
the expenses OF the said commission and
declaring an emergency
TWO EMINENT LAWYERS
Under this act the Governor of the State
has appointed two eminent lawyers. Hon.
Timothy e. Howard and Hon. Marcelus A.
Chapman. who. with the secretary of state.
also a lawyer of ability, constitute the COM
mission to perform the work provided for
in the above-entitled act. The commission
has selected as it's clerk Hon. George Shirts,
also competent lawyer
1.-The act in question is very broad in it's
terms, and while specifically making 1t the
| duty of the commissioners to compile re-
wise and codify the statute laws of the
State concerning public, private and other
corporations, including statutes concerning
combinations and trusts, and also statutes
relating to highways and drainage it fur
| Their authorizes the commission to compile
revise and codify such other statute laws
| of The State as it shall deem proper The
| act, though brief, containing only seven
| sections, ic comprehensive, and confers
great powers upon the commission, sub
| ject, of course, to the approval of the next
! regular session of the General Assembly.
1.-THE laws of Indiana lrelating to the sub
| ject matters to which the commission is es-
pecially charged to devote its labors, name
| ly, public, private and other corporations,
| combinations and trusts, highways and
| drainage, are in terribly chaotic condi-
ton, and it is confidently expected that the
able, learned and industrious commission
will be able to bring order and symmetry
! out of the confusion in which these statutes
are now involved.
| ut is we'll, also, that the LEGISLATURE did
not confine the commission to the compila-
| ton, revision and codifcation of the stat
utes upon the subjects expressly men,
| toned, but gave 1t plenary powers with re-
| spect to other statutes. The Code of 1852
| was a great Improvement as well as an in
novation upon the common law methods of
pleading and practice. The Code of 1881 was
| an Improvement on that of 1852 but IL still
contains imperfections which may be great
ly remedied through the work Of the COM
mission.
| 1.-The commission has sent and is sending
| TO lawyers of the State circular communi-
| cations inviting suggestions and recon-
J mendations as to the work placed before II
| by the Legislature In view of the statute
providing for the appointment of this COM
| mission, and also in view of the fact that
a most judicious and satisfactory selection
| has been made of the members composing
| It, your committee does not at this time
| deem 1t necessary to report any recon-
mendations for legislation, but respectfully
| invites the members Of the State Bar Asso-
citation cordially to cooperate with the
commission and give 1T, by way of sugges-
| ton and recommendation, the counsel, aid
| and assistance that they, from their learn
| ing, practice and familiarity with the stat
utes of the State, are so well qualified to
| give, to the end that when the commission
shall have completed its work 1t will meet
the approval of the bench and the bar and
| the people, and commend itself to the next
| General Assembly of the State"