The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
KANSAS COMMENT
HOW Laws ARE MADE.

4
One of the most difficult jobs which
confront Legislators is to make a law
which will stand the test-f1rst, of the
courts. and second, of continued en-
forcement.
The moral law which is recognized
in all countries and which has become
part of the statutes of civilized ma
tons, was the result of years of study
and observation on the part of states
men covering centuries of time.
No doubt penalties at times have
been too severe or too lax, and en-
forcement has been neglected, but in
the main the Thou shalt not" of the
moral law has become pretty well ac-
knowledged and reasonably wei en-
forced.
Statute or code laws are made every
year or two in congress and in every
state of the union, and it is these laws
which require severe test to make
good. Often the principle or main
point OF the statute is good. but care
less wording or an unforeseen emer-
gency renders the law ridiculous or
enforceable.
Then comes repeal or amendment,
and in time the Just part of the law
becomes established. while the weak
parts are eliminated. There is no ma
chine, structure, implement or en-
cheering feat SO difficult as the crea-
ton of q, perfect legislative enactment.
appears at Russell, Kan, where the
trustee is away from home on a. visit
to Germany. Under the law he must
select the election board, and the law
has made no provision for deputy in
case of his absence. Should he die,
the vacancy could be filled, but his
absence leaves no lawful remedy.
OF course, a way will be found to
lature will have to provide against
future emergencies of the kind. And
it will not be surprising If the election
develops many points wherein the
primary and regular election laws are
unjust to the voters.
A perfect law is the work Of more
than one eneration.-Wichita Bea-
con.
WHICH IS THE MORE DESIRABLE
Charles w. Morse the New York
fnancier has been convicted of a vio-
lation of the national banking laws
and faces a Is year prison sentence.
Morse is one of the men who year
ago was UP near the top in New York.
Then came the panic. And with the
panic came an investigation into his
affairs and after the Investigation
came his indictment and arrest.
So it seems that people will learn
after awhile that they must not vio-
late the law no matter how much
wealth or influence they may have
The law is for all and all must obey
it. Morse played the game to win, as
does every man who plays 1t but he
has lost and his example will be
warning to men whose greed tempts
them to violate laws.
Incidently Mr.. Morse, while the jury
was meditating on his case, broke the
camera of a photographer, and as
saulted the man in charge of it, Nice
of him, wasn't it? The photographer
was probably the representative of
newspaper, working on a salary and
the camera probably represented his
own savings. OF course it was proper
for Mr.. Morse, convicted of violating
the laws of his country to assault a
man on salary. Morse showed then
and there his Inability to control his
temper and probably thinks he did
right in assaultirg a man of less fame
and influence than himself. But the
chances are that the photographer, in
as he is in New York is a
great deal more desirable citizen than
Mr.. Morse, with all his strength and
influence. And the photographer does
not face a term in the penitentiary for
violating the laws of this country
Salina Journal.