The Legal World phenomena observable in America today. What the United States needs more than anything else is a reformer of the Jeremy Bentham type, to restore com mon sense to its codes and simplicity to the administration. The criminal procedure, especially, of America today is very much as ours was in the time of the Stuarts. It is hopelessly enmeshed in technicalities, and neglects justice and perspective to chase after impossible infallibility of form." The Common Miscellaneous Law, by Mr. Justice Oliver W. Holmes, has been translated into German, by Dr. Rudolf Leonhard. The book was translated into Italian in 1890. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, at the request of the American Bar Association, is now engaged in making a thorough investi gation of the law schools in the United States, as was done three years ago to so good effect in the case of medical schools. A psychologist has been appointed as probation officer in the Boston Muni cipal Court. Dr. Victor Vance Ander son, instructor and special student of psychology in Harvard University, and a member of the staff of the state Psychopathic Hospital, plans to make a thorough study of two or three cases at first, with a view to throwing light on the problem of criminal responsibility and most effective penal measures. The dedication of the Palace of Peace took place at The Hague on Aug. 28, in the presence of Queen Wilhelmina, and a distinguished gathering of dip lomats and publicists. This building, erected by the Carnegie Foundation
493
at a cost of $1,500,000, said Abraham van Karnebeek, president of the Founda tion, at the dedicatory ceremonies, "is first of all a palace of justice. But it was the idea of Mr. Carnegie that it should also be a symbol of peace, the first tangible outcome of international co-operation. Many countries have con tributed to its completion. For in stance Holland gave the site, and pro vided the building with stained glass windows. Northern countries gave granite, others wood, marble, and other materials. This palace is to be the center of internationalism, the meeting place of peace congresses, conferences, and other activities in the cause of peace. In it there can be no room for hatred, for the plant of peace is a tender plant; it demands an atmosphere of tran quillity, majesty and distinction." The Governors of about three-fourths of the states met in conference on August 26 at Colorado Springs, Colorado. Papers were read and addresses made on a num ber of subjects for the most part not of special concern to lawyers. Governor O'Neal of Alabama made a notable address on "Distrust of State Legis latures, — the Cause and the Remedy." He urged that the powers of legislatures should be increased, rather than dimin ished, and also said: "The present salary in almost every legislature is utterly inadequate. It would be better for the state to invite free service from her citizens than to pay the miserable pittance she now offers. One of the strongest objections to our legislatures as now constituted is that the members represent only localities and are more concerned in promoting local legislation than in enacting necessary laws for the state at large. It would unquestionably elevate the tone of a state legislature if a certain proportion of its members
