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thrift would be an example and an encouragement to the

natives.

We think that in the greater portion of the country the time and circumstances are ripe for the application of the Severalty Act; and the Executive, to whose discretion its enforcement is left, should be urged to put it into general operation.

In the arid lands of the Southwest a different problem confronts us. There the lands of the Indians are unfit for agriculture without irrigation works that involve an expenditure and an intelligence far beyond native attainment. They are often too barren even for successful grazing. Under these conditions the natives must remain for the present the wards of the nation. The territorial courts find the administration of justice, either for their protection or their punishment, an unprofitable expense, and their affairs get scant judicial attention. We think that throughout this arid region the federal courts should be given jurisdiction of all litigation, civil and criminal, to which an Indian is a party.

Respectfully,

G. B. ROSE,

E. E. ELLINWOOD,
C. N. POTTER.

REPORT

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON UNIFORM STATE LAWS.

During the last year the states of Kentucky and Louisiana have adopted the negotiable instruments law, so that now twenty-three states, one territory and the District of Columbia have adopted this law. Only a few legislatures have met during the last year, most of them holding their biennial sessions the coming winter. We have reason to expect that several will pass the act during the forthcoming year. We may therefore look forward confidently to the time as not far distant when this law will become part of the law of the land generally, and thus the English-speaking nations and their dependencies the world over will be brought into harmony on this important branch of commercial law.

The conference of Commissioners on Uniformity of Legislation was held in St. Louis, September 22, 23 and 24, 1904. The uniform sales of goods act, drafted for these commissioners by Prof. Samuel Williston, of the Harvard Law School, and submitted in the last annual report of your Committee, was taken up for consideration with the draftsman and was minutely examined, section by section. Printed copies in its present form will be distributed throughout the United States among members of the various benches, bars, law schools, writers on sales and others. Suggestions are earnestly requested as to desirable amendments or changes, in order that the act may be in the most perfect form possible for adoption at the annual conference in 1905.

The American Warehousemen's Association has promised to contribute toward the expense of drafting a uniform act relating to warehousemen and warehousemen's receipts. We hail with satisfaction this acknowledgment from such a powerful com

mercial body of the value of the work possible of accomplishment through the Commissioners on Uniformity of Legislation.

At the meeting in 1902 of the American Bar Association, your Committee was authorized and requested to consider and to report upon the subject of uniform legislation and interstate comity respecting taxation, especially with reference to matters of situs, jurisdiction and double taxation; and also whether it is expedient to promote uniform legislation on the subject of forced heirship, disinherison (that is, limitation on testamentary disposition) and the allowance of "captation" or "undue influence" as a ground of annulment of wills and testaments. These resolutions were referred to this Committee upon motion of Ex-President Howe, who has written to the Chairman that he cannot attend this annual meeting, and he asks that he be allowed to withdraw them and that this Committee be discharged from further consideration thereof. We ask therefore that this action be taken.

We recommend that the proceedings of the conference of Commissioners on Uniformity of Legislation be published each year in the report of the American Bar Association. The very valuable and efficient work done by this conference. is strictly in accordance with one of the principal objects enumerated in Article I of the Constitution of the American Bar Association, "to promote the administration of justice and uniformity of legislation throughout the union," and the appointment of these Commissioners on Uniformity of Legislation was the result of action taken by the American Bar Association.

Respectfully submitted for the Committee.

AMASA M. EATON,

Chairman.

REPORT

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON UNIFORM STATE LAWS.

During the last year the states of Kentucky and Louisiana. have adopted the negotiable instruments law, so that now twenty-three states, one territory and the District of Columbia have adopted this law. Only a few legislatures have met during the last year, most of them holding their biennial sessions the coming winter. We have reason to expect that several will pass the act during the forthcoming year. We may therefore look forward confidently to the time as not far distant when this law will become part of the law of the land generally, and thus the English-speaking nations and their dependencies the world over will be brought into harmony on this important branch of commercial law.

The conference of Commissioners on Uniformity of Legislation was held in St. Louis, September 22, 23 and 24, 1904. The uniform sales of goods act, drafted for these commissioners by Prof. Samuel Williston, of the Harvard Law School, and submitted in the last annual report of your Committee, was taken up for consideration with the draftsman and was minutely examined, section by section. Printed copies in its present form will be distributed throughout the United States among members of the various benches, bars, law schools, writers on sales and others. Suggestions are earnestly requested as to desirable amendments or changes, in order that the act may be in the most perfect form possible for adoption at the annual conference in 1905.

The American Warehousemen's Association has promised to contribute toward the expense of drafting a uniform act relating to warehousemen and warehousemen's receipts. We hail with satisfaction this acknowledgment from such a powerful com

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