Evening star., 1928-06-05
NEW BOOKS
AT RANDOM
1. G.. M.
THE SUPREME COURT OF THE
UNITED STATES. Charles Evans
Hughes Columbia University Press.

THE SUPREME COURT OF THE
UNITED STATES. Charles Evans
Hughes. Columbia University Press
The volume in hand presents group
of Columbia University lectures deliv-
cred by Mr. Charles Evans Hughes on
the subject indicated by its title. These
addresses six in number, are based upon
! the underlying essentials of the Supreme
Court OF the United States-its origin
and constitution, its work, its achieve
ments and effects. The prime purpose
of the study as whole Is to provide
| broadly inclusive view whose object Is
a general Interpretation rather than a
technical professional exposition. Such
/ purpose, Immediately pursued both in
| the authors approach to the subject
F., and also In the subsequent treatment of
| 1t, serves to make the book one of direct
usefulness to general readers on the
! topic of American institutions, as well
| as Of special students of the Supreme
Court.
This study OF the crowning point OF
| the American judicial system is, in es-
sence. study Of growth-that process
of change and prompt adaptation to
new conditions that constitutes true
| growth 1t is, therefore, to a degree.
| fashioned to make record of such ad
yance-much as tree, from root to
| crown, responds to the combination of
vital inner urge and outer climatic cir
cumstance for its own vigorous con-
! tinuance and fulfillment. Here against
/ background of American history is set
| the Supreme Court in It's nature, its
| functions, It's relation to the Govern
ment as q whole, its contribution to the
security and perpetuity OF the Federal
Commonwealth.
II was in that Federal plan projected
| by the Constitution that the Supreme
Court had Its origin-a necessity. In
fact. growing out of certain rellnquished
| sovereignties of the individual States as
the Federal idea became reality
These loosened rights and powers
formed the nucleus for the growth of a
single supreme agency of legal deter
minatlon. An American invention, de-
vised to meet the requirements of that
other American inspiration, the Federal
Union. BY virtue of the homegrown
nature OF these two political organisms,
there is little of enlightenment To be
gained from foreign sources of political
investigation. OF more pointed useful
ness IS 1t to examine and test and
weigh the Supreme Court OF the United
States by It's own stages OF growth and
expanding usefulness in the role which
it was created to fill. And such is the
kind OF study given to the subject by
Mr.. Hughes. Here Is q definitely con-
crete consideration of each stage in the
existence Of the Supreme Court from
its beginnings up to the present time.
Disagreement, argument, compromise
these provide the formula by way OF
which this institution has reached its
present high estate. These steps are
given by the author. Having given
them. Mr.. Hughes Seizes upon the COM
promise. the ultimate decision This he
bears forward toward the present
weighing it as the measure of sound
Judgment and high patriotism, Men
come into this study--competent men,
statesmen OF ripe experience in legal
opinions and decisions. 1t is this OBJ
jectivity OF view that gives to the whole
Its effect OF life and immediate interest
and provides the reader and student
with partaking share in that great
and peculiarly American institution. the
Supreme Court Of the United States
Simplicity is the keynote Of study
that as rule invites TO puzzling erudi-
tion and technical complexity. And by
this virtue here Is q book that even the
commonalty can read with both profit
and clear enjoyment.
49,
THE MAKING OF A STATE. Thomas
Garrigue Masaryk. Frederick A.
Stokes Co.
Published in Prague year ago. this
volume then bore the title THE World
Revolution" Without changing its sub
stance, 1t Is, under It's new publication
in the United States, called "The Max
tOnx - tata A. Aa2l
the book 1t is primarily collection
of observations and reflections upon the
state of Europe just prior to the Great
War. From these considerations brought
TO bear Immediately upon his own ma
tional problem and opportunity there
emergeS study OF the Czechoslovak
republic by It's first President Fired
with the idea OF redemption for his
country-retemptlon from both Haps-
burg domination and from covetous
postwar ambltions~-Mr. Masaryk de-
voted himself to the work of turning
this idea into accomplished fact. The
effect of such spirit and high endeavor
turned toward a patriotic and humani
tartan end is now history, with Mr..
Masaryk honored as the first President
OF the republic of his own making.
Setting out here in the prospect OF
War or that OF creating republic. you
will soon be met with sense OF frus-
tration and defeat. II. however in the
country OF this serious and wise and
simple man you speedily abandon your
own rule OF thumb to go along with him
In his own way, you will meet fine
reward For here Is something better
than q Stitf and orderly array of facts
about war or emancipation Here Is q
great variety of experience in many
important lines. Here. too. Is depth
of feeling. an honesty Of purpose, u
vision OF human happiness which to-
gether give the urge of life itself to all
OF this rich experience More or less
formless, the book, as history? Maybe
so. But history itself In the making Is
no very orderly process. Here Is first
the seer. the mystic the man of vision,
seeing world shaped toward democ-
racy Here Is also the scholar, his
torian, political philosopher, reformer,
turning his powers and attalnments to-
ward the great ide |, not only in respect
10 his own people. but IN respect 10
other oppressed small nations every
where Here Is the adventurer, daring
death OF exile, Yet Of u courage Ia
gather up here and there bodies of men
who must be led out VI the lands ot
bondage. Surveying democracy in It's
essential principles aud In the applica-
ton OF these. much as any political
savant would, MaSaryk narrows these
broad assumptions to the measure OF
his own home ioh.s-that Of liberatIng
his cotlntrymen, that of setting them up
under Self-rule government And
so In this book of amazing richness
and stir he moves here and there
wherever the promise OF political free