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Opinions upon the Corpus juris Project support the execution of the plan which you, together with Mr. Andrews and Mr. Alexander, have formulated. If I can serve the cause
at any time, command me. Hon. Oharlea ll. Hughes, Governor of New York and Professor of Law in Cornell Uni versity, 1891-3:-— The demands upon me have been so con stant that I have been compelled again and again to postpone an examination of the papers you have sent me; and as we approach the new year the work increases and there is
little opportunity for what I had wished to do. However, I have looked into the matter sufficiently to feel justified in saying that the project you outline is one of great importance, and if the work is performed with the skill and care contemplated, it would be difficult to over estimate its value. To make such a compre hensive statement as is proposed of the American Corpus juris would be a public service of the highest character. While the work would be a most difficult one, I think the plan is practicable. Its execution should be freed from the pressure of commercial demands, and I earnestly hope that you will secure the support for the undertaking which it deserves. Hon. William B. Day, justice of the Su preme Court of the United States; formerly Secretary of State: I have looked over your plan for the prep aration of a work which shall embrace in compact form a statement of American Civil Law. There can be no two opinions as to the desirability of such a work. The confusing mass of precedents which now embody what may be called the American Common Law renders it often impossible for counsel to give legal advice competent to guide their clients in doing what the law sanctions and approves, and refraining from disobeying the law, which, if litigation follows, they are presumed to know. An authoritative work clearly stating the general rules of law would be of inestimable service to the Bench and Bar of the country, as it would be to all who seek to know the law in order that they may conform to it. Any feasible plan for the accomplishment of so great a purpose, and I think yours may be worked out, ought to receive hearty encourage ment and support. It will of course require ample time, great labor and no inconsiderable
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financial help. I wish you the success the project so amply deserves Hon. William H. Moody, justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and for merly Attorney-General.'— Every additional day of judicial duty brings to me a deeper conviction of the absolute necessity of some system of orderly and scientific classification of the great mass of confused precedents, so that they may become useful in developing rules which will be consistent and harmonious. It seemsto me that the plan you have in view, though I do not conceal from myself the difficulties of its execution, will tend greatly to that end. Hon. David J. Brewer, justice of the Sn preme Court of the United States; President, 1904, of the Universal Congress of Lawyers and jurists: Of the great blessing to the profession it would be to have such a work there can be no doubt. In a general way, the plan sug gested is satisfactory and is probably the most feasible. As to the financial backing, I fear it will be difficult. . . . The work is large and delays may be looked for in several directions. Pemons who start in on the work may give it up after a while, may be taken by death, and any hasty pro duction would be most disastrous. The value of the work will depend largely on the accu racy and thoroughness with which it is doneI the wisdom of the arrangement of the topics,
and that will require much thought. As to the personnel of the triumvirate, I know Dean Kirchwey very well and am sure he will be a valuable man as one of the three. I have no personal acquaintance with Dr. Andrews, but from my knowledge of his work I should think he would be very competent. As for yourself, it is enough to say that my knowledge of what you have been doing justi fies me in regarding you as a suitable person for the third. Of course, one essential element is a pro found conviction of the value of the work and great enthusiasm, both of which I think Dean Kirchwey and yourself possess. One must also have much patience and persistence, for, with no thought of throwing cold water on the enterprise, I can but believe that time will be much greater than you at present
