Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-02-18
|VEEDAEN sISTE|N0f
MAK||VGSTlIE LAWS.
Justice Morgan says Present
System Anticipated and Not
Satisfactory in Address to
Club Women.

\ That the present system Of lawmak-
ing is as old AZ the council Of Indian
tribes, and il the one branch Of gov
eminent which has continued in Its
antiquated form since the Pilgrim fore-
fathers landed on the shores Of Amer
lea. was in substance the statement
made Monday night by Chief Justice
Morgan Of the supreme court in an adj
dress to members Of the Columbia club
and their friends on the subject, Inn
proved Methods in Law Making"
Justice Morgan pointed out that tho
legislature, which met every two
years. was composed Of men and wo-
men from all walks Of life. few Of whom
had had any experience in lawmaking,
and yet in 60 days were supposed To
draft and pass numerous laws to meet
changing conditions, remedy evils ana
for the maintenance Of the state gov
eminent and its institutions creating a
tax on the people.
| He declared such a system was anti
quated, that it confuses business and
that the statutes were heavily burden
ed with confusing and unintelligent
| laws as far as Interpretation was con-
cerned.
4 While Judge Morgan gave no definite
| plan of changing the present antiquat-
ed system, which he criticized, he sug-
gested that the state be divided into
three districts, the election Of five
men and five women from each dis
trict, making council of Is, num-
Der Of whom were to be versed In draw
ing laws and the others representatives
Of industries, the chief interests Of the
state and humanity welfare. He ex-
planned such a council could be elected
for term Of six years, one members
term expiring every two years, thus
making legislative body in continu-
GUS session able to pass legislation ds
required in cases of emergency, one
which could meet with committees from
various organizations and consider
matters presented by them Under such
system, he pointed out, laws need not
be rushed through, all sides could be
heard before any legislation affecting
certain lines of business need be passed
and then the law could be drafted right
and in the interests of the greatest ma
jority of people.
Another suggestion made by Justice
Morgan was that larger legislative
body could be elected, possibly every
|, 10 years. for period of so days to 80
over laws which have been passed and
present laws for the future to be con-
, sidered by the council.
He pointed out that such plan
would have to be worked out by ex-
|, perts, but felt that it would be expedi-
ent, less expensive and more satisfac-
tory than the present system.
In bringing his address to a close,
Justice Morgan advised women not TO
confine their demands entirely to laws
: for the benefits of women Oh children,
but to look into the largest questions
as we'll and further suggested that wo-
men do not form women's Republican
and Democratic clubs. but rather all be
citizens of one band working for the
betterment of mankind.
There was large attendance at the
meeting and the address by Judge Nor
gan was well received.
EDUCATION OF SOLDIERS.
Mrs. M. j. Sweeley. president of tho
! State Federation of Women's clubs.
speaking before the club, stated that
large number of students who were
a taking the S. A. T. G.. course at the
governments expense at tho Univer-
: able to continue without outside aid
and suggested that such boys be aided
to secure an education.
: There are 100 of them. said Mrs.
: Sweeley, and q soldiers who have been
discharged from the army who wish
to finish their college courses, are
seeking financial aid. She stated that
$500 was available. and that $50
liberty bond had been received from
the Meridian high school and a 800
memorial from man in this section.
Mrs. Sweeley suggested that trees
! be planted along the highway where
auto tourists might stop with comfort
/, for lunch. and mentioned club bill
/, asking that rate Of IS be made for oil
students of the south and southeast to
the university. the state to pay the bal
ance of the sum.
i The meeting was presided over by
! Mrs. Frank E. Johnesse Mrs. Fred
/ B. Jones sang a vocal solo. accom-
panied by Mrs. b. p ShaWhan,