Evening star., 1927-04-28
Dictionary Given Hard Test
In Battle With Legislature

Some interpreters of the dictionary
have been inclined to criticize the New
Jersey Legislature because of the
use Of the word "biannual" in a pro-
posed constitutional amendment pro-
viding for certain changes in the
State government. 1t is contended
that if the amendment in it's present
form is approved by the people it
will be necessary for the Legislature
to meet twice a year, instead of ev-
cry two years, as its members in
tended.
That the New Jersey Legislature,
''quite unintentionally, seems to have
adjusted the three branches of gov
ernment to include a fourth" is the
conclusion of the Atlanta Journal,
which says that ito the executive.
the legislative and judicial branches
that body has added what we pre-
sumo is to be called the dictionarial,
and it's members are gravely con-
cerned as to whether the Legislature
is more powerful than the diction-
ary."
Linguistically speaking. the Spring
field Republican finds much con-
fusion. Comparison with other hi
words" AYERS that paper, shows the
danger of taking definitions for
year, while biennial means once in
two wears, and 'bimonthly' means
once in two months Though the
Standard Dictionary gives semi
monthly as q second but erroneous
useD: but. while 'biweekly," accord
ing to the Standard, means once IN
two weeks, according to Webster'S 1t
means either once in two weeks or
'semi-weekly.' 1t is usage that pre-
walls. Perhaps the New Jersey Su'
preme Court. with proof Of what the
Legislature intended, may find Justi-
fication for making 'biannuaP and
biennial synonymous in the mean
ing of the proposed law, ana thus
establish a precedent.
A similar thought is suggested by
the New York Herald Tribune. Whlcn
recognizes that 1.-The meaning or WORDS
is determined by precedent" and asks
"Why should not the New Jersey
Legislature establish a precedent ana
correct a senseless alteration? The
Herald Tribune concludes that 1t is
too base a suspicion to entertain the
thought that some verbal Machiavelil
tucked the biannual in the text for
the purpose of bedeviling the amend
ment. The dictionary sport thus far,
it adds, has been free from scandal:
There have been no accusations OF
dirty work at the cross words.
"Intent of the legislation is MADE
clear" in the opinion of the Baltimore
Sun, ''by the concurrent resolution
which says that the Legislature meets
every other year. This may solve the
issue in New Jersey, but the incident
shows the need of agreement as TO
proper use of a word that IS or ire
quent occurrence in legislative and
legal procedure, if similar emoarrass'
ment is not to be incurred"
The Philadelphia Public Ledger di-
rects attention to the fact that "eVl-
dence that 'biannuaP is frequently
used in the same sense as biennial
was obtained from authoritative
sources" but it is of the opinion that
"such evidence does not in itself ex-
plain the action" The New York
Times remarks that 1.-The politicians
have learned that it pays to consult
the dictionary"
The Jersey City Journal points to
other complications, with the state
ment: 'If, on September 20, the people
Of New Jersey adopt the proposed
amendment that would provide for
the election of members of the Assem-
bly, only once in two years, instead
of annually, there would arise before
long a miX-up over the terms of the
sheriffs and coroners NOW three years.
Under the new amendment. supposing
that it is adopted. it would no longer
be possible to elect these county of
ficers flor their regular terms) with
out also changing that part of the
constitution which says that sheriffs
and coroners shall be chosen in years
in which Assembly members are elect.
ed. This .phase OF the situation will