REVIEWS.

THE AMERICAN STATE REPORTS.

VOL. 111.

Selected and annotated by Hon. A. C. Freeman.

Published by Bancroft-Whitney Company,

Price $4.

San Francisco,

Cal.

In spite of the great catastrophe of last April which so much affected all business in San Francisco, the enterprising firm of Bancroft-Whitney have continued to turnout regularly this excellent series of reports, and have just issued the one hundred and eleventh volume. This standard series of American annotated decisions are so highly respected by the courts that a bare mention of the fact is all that needs be said to arouse interest in those who have heretofore failed to secure them. For the benefit of those unacquainted with this valuable series we will say that the annotation to each important case is worth the price asked for the volume. Each point has been searchingly examined and when previous decisions have been rendered that clarify the obscure, they are given in a systematic and scientific plan of annotation which makes the the series most desirable not only for the ready reference in court but for brief making. As evidence of the value of these annotations we cite the reader to "Grand Lodge Ancient Order of United Workmen vs. Bartes, on pages 577 et seq. In this case the notes search all legal learning on Fraternal societies and furnish points not readily found elsewhere. The same can be said of a vast number of other cases in this volume.. The indexes, both to the notes and the general one are all that could be desired.

FOIBLES OF THE BENCH.

By Henry S. Wilcox, of the Chicago Bar. Published by Legal Literature Company,

Chicago Illinois.

This is a neatly printed book of 144 pages, and on rather a different style than that of ordinary law books. While it is not fiction, yet it is so interestingly written that once beginning to read it, you cannot quit until the book is finished; however it bears several readings. The author has written several other books on somewhat the same style: "Foibles of the Bar," "A Strange Flaw,' "The Trials of a Stump Speaker," etc., The book however under consideration deals with those matters that directly affect the judiciary, and no judge nor lawyer will fail to receive benefit from its contents. It is true that not every judge suffers with the failings pointed out, yet all will better discharge judicial duties by the reading of the book. The author has for many years, been a successful trial lawyer in a vast field for experience and "knows whereof he speaks." He is a master at character painting. His description of judge Knowall, judge Wasp, judge Fearful, judge Wabbler, judge Graft and judge Wind, rival Dicken's description of Rogue Riderhood, Uriah Heep or Mr. Micawber.

As a piece of composition also, the book is well written, and should interest the intelligent public as well as every lawyer and judge. It should be found in every library. Cervantes drove Knight-Errantry from Spain by rediculing its follies and absurdities; and Dickens demolished the Marshalsea prison by exposing its abuses. The bench will receive strength and add to its dignity by the proper selection of the right men to fill it.

Address the publishers for a copy of the book.

EDITORIALS.

In the February and March Numbers of The Oklahoma Law Journal is to be found nine opinions in full of the most important decisions of the Feburary session of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Among these is the long but far-reaching decision in the case of Gourley vs. Countryman, handed down by Chief-Justice Burford. For this special opinion we have received a number of calls from the Indian Territory. The opinion searches almost every rule and regulation of the Land Office as well as Federal Court precedents. As yet these opinions are not found in full in any other publication outside of this Journal.

Hon. Henry E. Asp, one of the most accomplished lawyers west of the Mississippi, and a delegate to the late Oklahoma Constitutional Convention, found much serviceable matter in the "American Citizen," by John S. Wise, during the deliberations of that body. The book is proving a jewel in the hands of legislators.

This work is published by the Edward Thompson Company.

England's Attorney-General, in a speech only a few weeks since, declared that the House of Lords must be abolished. Truly the spirit of Democracy has permeatthe world.

Hon. W. S. Cade, of Shawnee Oklahoma, has been appointed Post Master of that city. Mr. Cade is a well known lawyer and his appointment to a first class office is gratifying to his many friends.

Without disparaging the good efforts of others, there is no question that the best and most valuable contribution of service rendered the late Oklahoma Convention, was rendered by lawyers.

Innocent until Proven Guilty.

In view of this great fundamental principle of law, the Supreme Court of Louisiana have recently held that it is unlawful as well as a great moral wrong for police officers to take photographs of or place them on exhibition in Rogue's galleries, of accused persons before they are convicted. Many instances having occurred where innocent persons were arrested on suspicion and by means of pictures forever disgraced without a scintilla of evidence connecting them with the crime charged.

Hon. Sam K. Sullivan of the Newkirk Bar, has greatly added to his reputation as a trial lawyer in the case of the Territory vs. P. W. Cassiday, acquitted of murder in Kay County. This case was well fought by an able prosecution on the part of the state, but the efforts of Mr. Sullivan, viewed from the stand-point of skilled trial practice, were such that would have done credit to Curtis, Blackburn or Rufus Choate.

Judge S. S. Lawrence of Guthrie, the United States Referee in Bankruptcy, speaks in the highest terms of the new book "A Suit in Equity in the Federal Courts,' written by Professor W. S. Simkins of the University of Texas.

OKLAHOMA

LAW JOURNAL

VOL. 5.

EDITED AND PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY

D. H. FERNANDES, GUTHRIE, OKLAHOMA.

CONSTITUTION OF OKLAHOMA

ARTICLE NUMBER ONE.

As many misleading statements have been published concerning the late Constitutional Convention, and some calculated to prejudice outside people against the lately enacted Constitution of the proposed new state, we take pleasure in giving our readers outside the state, Article 1, relative to the Federal Relations. It is true that at the opening of the Convention a few remarks were made recklessly and unthoughtedly by one or two members, that may as well been omitted, but such occurrences can not be charged against the great body of the Convention or used detrimentally to the loyalty of that body or the fidelity of a great people to the Constitution of the United States. In the heat of debate—even in orthodox controversies concerning the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures remarks are made by debaters that occasionally shock the sensitive. The proper criterion is always the consensus of the majority and the ultimate result of the work of the great body that sifts all argument, accepts and gives shape to such principles only as are consonant with the highest loyalty and patriotism. Ar