Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-06-13
common law states, as are Massachu-
sets, Pennsylvania, Michigan and In
Law Not ON Books.

SettS, pennsylvania, Michigan and In
diana
Law Not ON Books.
Mr.. Searle showed~that but little of
the law which actually regulates the
affairs of the people of Illinois is to be
found in any single statute books. He
declared that not / per cent of the law
Is to be found in the statute books, but
that it is scattered throughout thous-
ands of volumes that are multiplying
at very rapid rate. Much of the law
is III the form OF opinions of the var
ieaIs courts, which construe and inter-
pref the application of the old laws.
Explains Court system.
The speaker at this point explain ID
Briefly the court system of the coun-
try, and showed the falsity of the i'm
preston that any case may be taken
into United States from state courts
He outlined the different state court
IL Illinois, and the functions of each,
and showed the peculiar intricacies
of the common law practice, wher>'
chancery and law cases are tried TN
der separate practice. He contrasted
this with the operation of the code
law, showing how New York, in the
40s adopted the code Law. and how
many OF the other states have follow
ed suit. until now many of the eastern
states and practically all of the states
west of the Mississippi have code law
systems
Fnvors Code System.
Judge Searle advocated a code sys.
lem as more eXpedient and more
nearly meeting the aim of all law.
and of all courts, the administration
of accurate and speedy justice" He
objects to the complicated forms that
allow judges to lose sight of the real
merits of case in the study of its
forms.
Mr.. Searle also registered a COM
plant against the court system of this
state. He argues that the appellate
court is an institution that has just
the opposite tendency TO that expect
ed, and that it does not reduce liti-
cation, but merely retards Justice
He cited from personal experiences to
illustrate his point. and showed that
the appellate court has the authority
to absolutely reverse a decision of a
jury, and find for the opposite side.
These matters, he pointed out, are
o. the most vital Importance, and yet
not one citizen in 100 knows anything
about them.
Praises jury system.
In concluding his remarks, Mr.
SeaIle spoke enthusiastically in praise
Of the jury system prevailing i'll the
United States. He declared it to be
the best system ever devised by man
for the administration of justice, and
that even though juries make mis-
takes, the system should not be
blamed
He declared law to be an evolution,
and declared that, strange as it may
seem, the court opinions. and even
common law, reflects public sentiment.
He declared that law is what the gov
erned make it, and that the great Sc.
cret of American progress lis in the
fact that American law has maintain
ed the practical equality Of all citi-
zens.
He declared it to be the chief duty
Iof the American people to see that
The laws and institutions are so ad
jGsted that this equality before the
law and equality of opportunity may
remain.
Methodist Greetings.
Following Mr.. Searle the members
of the club were addressed by Rev
H. B. Williams, pastor of the First
Methodist church, who extended tC
the Broadway club the greetings OF
| the Methodist church. DR.. Williams
introduced some pleasantries into his
remarks The session adjourned with
patriotic selections by the men, and {
benediction by DR.. w. S. Marquis
pastor of the church.
During the evening patriotic ant
popular music was furnished by Wal
do Schoessel and Kinney E. Leins
The dinner arrangements were in the
hands of committee composed of E
IL. Golf. Ralph Haverstick and DR.
Smith. The club will discontinue tine
monthly dinners during the summer
| months.