This confusion arises in great part from the unphilosophical and unsystematic methods of our legislation and from the constant custom of Congress in embracing in appropriation bills important provisions of permanent laws. A few of many interesting illustrations of this confusion and this irregular legislation may be found in this statement. That important amendment to the Federal law entitling a party in interest to testify in his own behalf. a law that revolutionized the administration of justice. is found as an almost indistinguishable section of an appropriation bill. the law by which we exercise our supervision over the Republic of Cuba is embodied in a fortification bill. the law prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors in the Capitol is found as a remote and disconnected part of an immigration bill. All these important acts are so closely intermingled with the general provisions of these bills that neither the title nor the context give any indication of their existence. The present revision when completed will be an original enactment. will repeal all existing statutes. will present the entire Federal legal system in a scientific order in two volumes of ordinary legal dimensions. and the laws therein contained will prove themselves without reference to any other acts of Congress.
Keywords matched
immigration