The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1906-08-31
DELIVERED ADDRESS OF THE
DAY AT ST. PAUL
Takes to Task All Legislative Bodies
Saying That They Choke the Chan
nels Of Justice Flags the Dema-
gotue for 1nsincere or Misdirected
Activity in Reform.

81. FauI, Mlnn.s Aug. Sl.-Ihe
feature of the American Bar Asso-
citation yesterday was the address
delivered by Judge Alton Parker.
The various committee reports were
considered and In the afternoon, the
association was entertained at the
Town and Country club. Last night
Thomas J. Herman and General
George B. Davis, Judge advocate gem
eral of the army addressed the con-
vention. Judge Parker spoke as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Parker took for his subject,
"The Congestion OF Law" his aim
being to show that the great number
OF new laws that are being added
daily to theh statute books are chok-
ing theh channels of justice. He
said in part:
1t was one OF the many wise say
ings Of Montesquieu that:
st sometimes is necessary to
change certain laws, but the
case is rare, and, when 1t does
occur, one should touch them
only with q trembling hand
fIf this were taken to heart by the
members Of congress and of the state
legislatures OF the American union,
who annually turn out on average OF
nearly fifteen thousand laws two-
thirds OF them devoted to private or
special interests It Is certain that
there would be greater satisfaction,
both individual and public; more
knowledge of what the law ha sdone
and can do, and more respect for It;
fewer regulations and ambitions
built on the shifting sands; and a
general recognition of the fact that
quality Of laws, and not their num-
ber, counts. Fewer aspiring young
men might seek seats in these bodies
merely as stepping stones to some
thing deeme dbetter; the amateur,
the incompetent, and the blackmailer
might be less in evidence; the boss
who orders legislation, in order that
he may sell 1t or exchange 1t for
personal power, might gradually be-
come extinct; the sensational news
paper that outward sign of inward
popular corruption or hysteria
might have less authority; and men
of recognized character and success
could be relied upon to keep our laws
in harmony with our progress, and
thus to promote and insure their eff
citncy without an overproduction
that sometimes makes them con-
Itemptible.
"Over-legislation is afforded in
many ways One OF the most eff
cient agencies is popular clamor.
This may be produced by the dema-
gogue, whose interest It is to make
the part appear to be the whole. II
may be started by the robbery of a
savings bank, or by adulteration on
the part OF some manufacturer, or
dishonesty by the head OF a business
corporation, or in any one of a hum
dred different ways Such an agita-
tion will naturally be encouraged by
sensational newspapers, and by the
oftentimes scarcely sensational pull
pit. At is goes on 1t gathers force
until 1t passes into one or the other
Of the many forms Of that hysteria
which demands nothings so much as
q victim. In sue ha period the re-
curring session OF a legislature
comes in Its due course, or an am
bilious or sympathetic governor calls
an extra session. Thus dozens of use
less laws are plcaed on the statute
books. everyone Of which chokes the
channels OF Justice.
another fruitful source Of legisla-
tion Is the neglect or failure to en-
force existing laws. A lax public
sentiment, plus an incompetent exc
|cutive, renders Of no effect whole;