Xx.
Nearly ten years before, when
Mr. Sumner first entered the Senate, he had presented a Resolution for a Revision and Consolidation of the
National Statutes, and on many occasions at succeeding
Sessions, he brought it forward, all without avail.
At last, in his message, December 3, 1861,
Mr. Lincoln having recommended the measure,
Mr. Sumner again brought forward the old resolution, on which he said:—‘Something in earnest, sir, must be done.
The ancient Roman laws, when first codified, were so cumbersome that they made a load for several camels.
Ours swell to twelve heavy volumes, too expensive to be afforded by any except the few, while they should be in every public library and law office throughout the country.’
He advocated the reducing them to a single volume, as the cumbersome laws of
Massachusetts had been, and of which the people of that State had purchased upwards of ten thousand copies.
‘I hope, sir, there will be no objection founded on the condition of the country.
I do not forget the old saying, that the laws are silent in the midst of arms; but I would have our Republic show, by example, that such is not always the case.
It will be something if, through the din of war, this work
[
374]
of peace proceeds, changing the national statutes into a harmonious text, and making it accessible to all.’
But nothing effectual was done about it till 1866, when the bill was passed.
The revision and consolidation were to be completed within three years; but the work was neglected, although the salaries were drawn by
Caleb Cushing,
Mr. James, of
Ohio, and
Mr. Johnston, of
Pennsylvania.
In 1870, a supplementary Act was passed, and
President Grant reappointed
Mr. James, and associated with him
Mr. Abbott, of New York, and
Mr. Barringer, of
North Carolina.
