Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-27
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.


alive Robert Luce, has just contributed
another volume, Legislative Princi-
pies" to his set Of standard works on
The Science of Legislation" which now
consists of four volumes, treating his
torically, descriptively and critically the
legislative branch of Government in
every respect. Representative Luce, rec
ognized pre-emin Mtly as the foremost
living authority on American parlia-
mentary law, Is fitted for such work as
member of the General Court of Mas
SachuSetts for nine years; of its gov
ernorS council. as lieutenant governor;
of the constitutional convention a dec
ade ago, when he was chairman of the
committee on rules and procedure, and
for the past IL years a member of
Congress. Besides this, he has been
making a specialized study of this sub
iect for half century. and his works
on the science Of legislation are credited
as authoritative books of reference by
the legislative assemblies of the world.
The earlier volumes are: Legislative
Procedure" covering parliamentary law
and the course of business in the franz
ing of statutes; Legislative Assem-
blieS," their framework, makeup, char
acter, characteristics, habits and man
ners, and Legislative Principles" the
history and theory of lawmaktng by
representative governments. Represent
ative Luce is now working on the fifth
and final volume in this series, "Legis-
lative Problems" the merits and defects
of the lawmaking branch of the Govern
ment, with consideration Of tendencies
and remedies.
The present volume has been well
coined by his colleagues in Congress,
and it Is an interesting and unusual
spectacle to see a big majority Of the
members all interested in this one book
at the same time, reading 1t in their
Offices, carrying it under their arms
about the Capitol or from office to home.
A veteran of more than so years Serv-
ice at the Capitol says he never saw
so many members of Congress inter-
ested in one book at the same time.
Among the subjects in this book. in
which the Congressman are particular
ly interested are:
What is law?-Religion and law: Gus
toms as source of law; innovation;
customs and the courts.
Monarchs and sovereignty-Delega
authority; limitation Of power; which
form Is best?
LAwmaking by assemblies Genuine
representation appears; developed in
England; beginnings Of Parliament; the
three estates.
In the American Colonies-V Virginia,
Varied developments-New Jersey and
elsewhere; power Of assemblies unlffn-
tied.
Constitutions-The States organize;
conventions.
Amending the organic law-Power of
conventions; revision by commission:
other methods and details; mode of sub
mission: "tinkering"
Fundamentals and their force-Legis-
lators and constitutions.
Representation-Lot and ballot; indi-
rect election; the voting problem.
Majority and plurality-In elections;
absolute majorities; votes larger than
a majority.
Minorities-In the United States; va
rious systems; argument and theory.
Occupational representation-Def1
groupings; merits and defects.
Franchise tests-Religious qualifica-
tons; property as measure; the argu-
ments.
The Observation-Disclosures or common
good; literacy and intelligence.
Places or population-Numbers In the
States; Pennsylvania first.
Apportionment under the Union
Rural and urban; reapportionment.
Districts - Arguments; the gerry
mander; judicial and other views.
Corrupt practices in elections-Ameri-
Theories Of repreSentation-The doc
trine of instructions; the imperative
mandate; instructions In America.
Instructions in Congress - Various
views; pledges censure and recall.
independence VS.. responsibility
Whom does the representative repre-
sent; anticipating the people.
The right of petition.
Public opinion-Nature and effect;
acrartaiYlino and radacftro
The initiative and referendum-In
America; constitutions and laws; draft
ing; information; exclusions; conflicts;
description; amendment
The referendum-When optional;
number of questions; signatures and ex-
pense; how the people VOTE power of
minorities and majorities; probable eff
fects; democracy or representative gov
eminent.
Representative Joe Grail Of Califor-
mia is quite proud of his twin brother
Charlie, because he so closely resem-
bles himself. Charlie" is now dean of
the Los Angeles Superior Court
Joe" says that when they both en-
tered the Army during the World War
Charlie was made a sergeant and Joe
a corporal so that they could be dis
tinguished from each other by the Diff
NSAGuEG LII t1lelT CIlPVTOIlSs
Almost daily members Of Congress
have brought to their attention the
record of some American who took
prominent part in establishing this
Government and whose name is not at
all familiar to the present generation.
as, for example. Representative Lindsay
C. Warren of North Carolina has lust
introduced bill providing for erection
Of a marker or tablet to the memory
OF Joseph Hewes, stgner of the Declara-
ton Of Independence, member of the
Continental Congress, and patriot OF
the Revolution, at Edenton, N. c. Rep
resentative Robert Luce of MaSsa-
chusetts Is chairman Of the commit
tee on the library to which this bill
was referred.
The records chow that Joseph Hewes
was born in Kingston, N. j., 200 years
ago, and pursued classical studies at
Princeton College, following which he
engaged In business in Philadelphia for
a time, and then settled in Whining
ton, N. 9. He was a member of the
North Carolina House of Commons
from 1865 to ITS. and was a member
of the committee of correspondence in
1878, a delegate to the Provincial Con-
greSs. a member of the Continental
Congress, 1774-1777; again served in
the State House of Commons, in 1878
and 1873: was a member of the COM
mittee to report upon the rights of the
colonies: was Signer of the Declara-
ton of Independence: again a member
Of the Continental Congress in 1879,
and served until his death in Phila-
delphia, where he is buried in Christ
Churchyard.
They Read Etiquette Book.