American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-01-10

ton Of the various states, particularly
ia the domain of commercial law.
Idaho has already benefited by the
work OF this commission In the adop-
ton of the uniform acts relating 10
negotiable Instruments, warehouse re-
ceipts and bills of lading. Our work
mems compensation act is also based
upon the uniform draft. II is time
that Idaho formally recognizes the
work OF the conference by making
legal provision for representatives at
the conference and by providing a
small appropriation to support TINS
work. Both houses of the legislature
might we'll recognize the Importance
of this interstate legislation by the
creation of permanent committees on
uniform laws.
The uniform commercial acts not
yet adopted in Idaho are the sales
act, the stock transfer act, the part
nership act and the limited partner
ship act. All of these can be enacted
with advantage TO the commerce OF
the state.
State Defense.
In view of the possibility of a new
congressional policy rather large dis
erection should be left to the governor
as commander-in-chief OF the militia
to organize ii or reorganize II at any
time TO meet the requirements OF
changing federal law and regulations.
A portion of the duties of the state
militia have heretofore been in the ma
ture of police duties. There is a
growing tendency, with which | am in
sympathy, to create a state eonstaDu-
larry.
Increase In Membership OF Supreme
Court
The crowded condition of the SUI
preme court calendar calls for a too
long-delayed remedy. This condition
Is in no wise due to any lack of ability
or industry on the part of the mem
bers OF the court. The rapid growth
of the state is reflected in an increase
both in volume and Importance of liti-
CATION. While new judicial districts
and new counties have been freely
created, thus multiplying many times
the number of trial courts existing at
statehood, the appellate tribunal is
still composed of only three members.
For a long time it has been more than
two years behind in its work, notwith-
standing its almost continuous ses-
sions throughout the year. The relief
recommended by those who have given
the subject serious consideration and
the only permanent relief which seems
to be available, is by constitutional
amendment to increase the member
ship of the court and Civ" it power tc
sit in departments.
Commission TO Study Judicial Reform
The lack of business-like promptness
and the unnecessary expense incident
to our present court procedure cal
for a searching study of their causes
and the application of some of the
methods of modern business. The
t subject matter, however, is such thai
I experimental legislative relief is APP
, to complicate rather than solve the
problem. / apprehend the members
of the Legislature will feel somewha
: as | do in these matters-handicappet
] by a lack of an intimate technica
: knowledge of the subject. | am in
clined to adopt the recommendation
of the American indicature society
. smade 10 all the states, II proposes tn
: formation of a commission In eacl
state, serving without compensation
| to inquire into the subject of the ad
ministration of justice and the expedi
ency of revising the constitution an
I laws relating thereto, the result of tn
! commissions work to be reported I
the next legislature. This should nc
. delay, however, the immediate propos
inf of a constitutional provision TO
!, an enlarged appellate court.
= Short Ballot.
The consensus of opinion among pc
t litical scientists is rapidly crystalil
= ing in favor of the short ballot. TIL
[ voters can more discriminatory choos
a the candidates for a small number
responsible positions than for a larg
number of minor administrative o.
? fees. Where elections are so frequer
I as in this state the administration
= the state government a better b
= intrusted to the general manager an
r his alternate than a six-headed e'
ecutive. The short ballot is not nev
: We have long been familiar with 1t
= the federal system.
S The State Executive.
The constitution provides, THE 81
q preme executive power Of the state
a vested in the governor" but other prt
Is visions of the constitution itself an
various acts of the Legislature bel
this declaration. The executive powt
g of the state Is scattered among sever;
s elective officers and numerous al
e pointive officers, boards, bureaus, d.
ma rtmapfe and romniaainns tho nj
v pointments being made by various o
! ticers for varying terms and witho'
any attempt to fix responsibility an.
$ where.
Governor Capper, of Kansas, in h
e annual message of 1917, made use
$ the following language which is equa
o ly applicable to Idaho:
Kansas has admittedly out