Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-01-04
BIG ATTENDANCE At
VI. BAR MEETING
Does Our Legislation Improvc?"
Is Question Raised in Presi-
dent GordOn's Address.


dent GordOn's Address.
Montpelier Jan. The annual meeting
Of the Vermont Bar association was held
this afternoon and tonight in the Wash
ington county court house with an TN
usually largo attendance, followed by =
banquet at the Pavilion. The business
session and election Of officers win be
held tomorrow morning at ten O'clock
President John W. Gordon's address to-
night on "Lcgislation' was followed By
memorial sketches OF tho late John H.
Scntor of Montpelier and the late John
Young of Newport written by George
Wing in the first instance and cx-Gov.
Josiah circuit on the ifa Of MIR. Young
| EX-Govcrnor CIRCUITS sketch was read by
John ". Redmond. who added brief re
mark in supplement-.
Tho supreme court and superior court
Judges We're tho guests of tho associa
lion at the exercises and az the banquet.
s. HolliSte- Jackson OF Barre proved
an entertaining toasunaster and brief re-
marks wcro made by Governor elect
Horace +. Graham. Chief Justice Love
land Munson. Frank G. Archibald, Justice
William H. Tavlor and Marvelle e. Web
Der. Io'tcrs we're read from cX-Chicf
Justice john W. Eowoi Judge W. =.
S''for1 of WASHINGTON. n g.. and OK
Jrstic james NJ Tylo- of Erattlehoro.
Governor Gates vas unable TO he present
bo"arsc cf t'"rse.
Mr.. "ui.rONs ADDRESS
Nr Gutdone address on "IDcis;ation"
dWc!t principally upon the vast amount Of
laws which seem necessary for the proper
7 Ia n o. in ho "yit
today as compared with the fewer and
less complex laws Of our forefathets lie
cndeeVorcd 10 explain why We arc so bur
acncd and suggested possible remedies
Tho world" said Mr.. Gordon. has
made remarkable strides in the progress
Of intelligence and naturally we would
conclude that this progress would drnin-
lsh the number Of laws. Granted sufii-
Gent intelligence to each unit Of popula-
zion ther" ought to result "A sufficient
amount % Intelligent conduct TO mini
MIC, if not eliminate. tho necessities of
imposed social regulations. But the re-
verse appears to be true. so that the
more you educate the Individual. the more
'"u must regulate him BY law This par
adoN springs in part from increased COM
pi"Niiy OF affairs due TO increased intoli-
Eenco itself"
W., STAND ALONE.
"Rut while the complcxity Of modern
lfe and tho worlds sweep Of commerce
may, q first. seem sufficient explanation
for the multiplication of laws. it does not
account Tor tho fact that our own country
Is conspicuous among nations for the num-
Dor of it's laws and legislative proposals
some causes are operative in this country
that are not found elsewhere"
The same condition does not obtain in
h
said. In Congress 5000 bills are intro
duced yearly. In he English Parliament
IT Is many thousands less. The difference
may he explained in the practice and GUS
toms of the two countries. In England all
bills must originate with or receive the
approval OF tho ministry. With us any
Legislator can introduce a bill These bills
are considered before Introduction. Here
trey are considered afterward.
Action upon any bill with us. docs not
aNH't a members term of service while
~ En- ID il may If n congressman
term of Office depended upon his vote upon
Dill, he would naturally he more careful
~ ScrutniZing it. This Difference in nrac-
tl'e between the two Legislative bodies in
q measure accounts for the difference in
tho number of bills introduced and laws
passed"
Candidates for Legislative office in this
country promise 20 stand for many bills IL
ol"'jcd IF no desires reelection he points
10 his record Of the number Of bills he in
troduced.
OUR FAITH IN Laws.
Tho faith our people appear to have in
IN" power Of legislation is another source
OF many laws. The people arc sovereign
ana feel that nothing is impossible 70 SOW
ercigntv.