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The Inheritance Of Economic Status - By John A. Brittain, Michael R. Olneck

Vanderbilt Law Review

The Inheritance of Economic Status - by John A. Brittain

In the- mid-1960's and in the early 1970's, research results appeared that challenged conventional liberal beliefs about the causes and consequences of poverty. In 1966 the federal government published Equality of Educational Opportunity, a report prepared by James Coleman and his associates.' The data used in the report contained the startling result that, with some exceptions, within regions, the provision of educational resources was substantially uniform across racial and socioeconomic groups. Moreover, the data showed that what measurable differences existed between the schools attended by disadvantaged and advantaged students did …

Crisis In The Courts: Proposals For Change, Griffin B. Bell

Vanderbilt Law Review

The popular conception of the crisis in the courts focuses upon the condition of the courts and particularly upon the increasing volume of disputes that are presented for resolution. For example,Judge Ruggero J. Aldisert of the Third Circuit, one of the busiest federal circuits, has observed: "The reality is that today there is a mad rush to the Federal courts." The available statistics reflect Judge Aldisert's observation. For instance, according to the most recent report of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, record numbers of cases have been filed in the circuit and district courts during the past …

240 Men: The Antebellum Lower Federal Judiciary, 1829-1861, Kermit L. Hall

Vanderbilt Law Review

Between 1829 and 1861 antebellum presidents nominated 200 judges to the federal lower courts. Earlier administrations had appointed another forty jurists who held their positions during part or all of the era. Of these judges, 108 served in the federal district courts, 126 in the territorial courts, five in the Court of Claims, and one in a special circuit court established in 1855 for the northern district of California. The number of appointments available to an administration involved fate and the pace of territorial expansion;thus, during the first eight years of the period, Jackson nominated thirty-two judges, while in the …

Book Reviews, Frank J. Remington, George B. Tindall

Vanderbilt Law Review

Fair and Certain Punishment

Review by Frank J. Remington

Punishing Criminals. By Ernest van den Haag. New York: BasicBooks, Inc., 1975. Thinking About Crime. By James Q. Wilson. New York: BasicBooks, Inc., 1975.

Times change. So also do opinions about important social problems such as crime and government's response to crime. The books of both van den Haag and Wilson reflect changing opinions on crime and on what to do about crime. Both urge that we abandon the view that social conditions are an important cause of crime and that an improvement in social conditions will reduce crime substantially.Both urge …

The Organized Bar--Yellow Brick Road To Legal Services For The Poor, Lawrence L. Thompson, R. William Ide, Iii

Vanderbilt Law Review

The experience of GILS-GLSP demonstrates that the extensive investment of time necessary to involve the organized bar in the legal services effort can make a vital contribution to the development of a stable, professional, statewide, legal services program. Bar support eases access to the political process, improves community relations, and facilitates program funding. Furthermore, bar support helps reduce the political strife that has heretofore plagued legal services programs. The rewards of such an approach can be great. Adequate funding obtained with active bar support has enabled GILS-GLSP to provide increasingly comprehensive legal services to indigent clients. From a modest budget …

Book Review, W. Leslie Peat

Vanderbilt Law Review

The Ethical Investor is, despite its flaws, as thorough and comprehensive a treatment of the problems of universities and corporate responsibility as might be desired. It should be required reading for university trustees, and it offers many valuable insights to the general reader. Although it may appear that student and faculty interest has diminished somewhat during the past two years, it is nearly a certainty that this has been more the result of an intelligent and sincere response by university administrators and trustees than of any profound change in the climate of opinion. If the universities continue to respond in …

Justice As Fairness: A Commentary On Rawls's New Theory Of Justice, Gilbert Merritt

Vanderbilt Law Review

A Theory of Justice,' John Rawls's new book on social and legal philosophy, appears likely to become a monument of systematic thought comparable to Locke's Second Treatise of Government and Mill's Utilitarianism. It provides answers systematically to the most difficult questions of our time and promises to shape the thought and action of men for many years. Daniel Bell, a noted social scientist, has said that in Rawls "we can observe the development of a political philosophy which will go far to shape the last part of the 20th Century, as the doctrines of Locke and Smith molded the 19th."' …

Law Reform And Law For The Layman: A Challenge To Legal Education, Walter Barnett

Vanderbilt Law Review

Most of the current debate over academic neutrality has centered on whether the university as an institution--the faculty and students as a corporate body--should take formal positions on political issues, such as the war in Vietnam. This article will address the related, but perhaps more mundane, question whether law professors should take a more active role in providing legal services to government and to the public when this activity might provoke attacks on academic freedom. Traditionally, law professors who have sought to serve society in ways other than educating lawyers have engaged in the following five extramural activities:' (1) The …

Book Reviews, Francis E. Barkman, Stephen Gorove

Vanderbilt Law Review

An Anatomy of Values: Problems of Personal and Social Choice

Charles Reich, of Yale Law School, has given us a vision of a whole new society in The Greening of America. Charles Fried, of Harvard Law School, has more limited objectives in An Anatomy of Values: Problems of Personal and Social Choice. He is content for the moment to examine the nature of a rational end and, in light of this analysis, to discuss limited aspects of traditional ends such as morality and justice.

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The Law Relating to Activities of Man in Space:

This book may be regarded as …

Ethical And Value Issues In Population Limitation And Distribution In The United States, Martin P. Golding, Naomi Holtzman Golding

Vanderbilt Law Review

Any discussion of the ethical issues in population limitation and redistribution must begin by focusing upon the definition of "the problem," because how one views the problem, and its urgency and gravity, inevitably determines whether there is something that ought to be done and what it is that ought to be done.

As laymen in many of the areas that are relevant to the population problem, we are forced to rely on the expert knowledge of others. It would be highly salutary if there were a body of received opinion that could be used without hesitation. Unfortunately, on many crucial …

Representation For The Poor In State Rulemaking, Allan Ashman

Vanderbilt Law Review

After a violent summer of urban unrest and civil disorder, President Johnson established the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders in 1967 to find out what happened in our nation's cities, why it happened, and to suggest ways to prevent it from occurring again. One of the findings of the Commission was that from the vantage point of the poor ghetto resident, local government was distant and unconcerned.For the poor person, particularly the poor black ghetto resident, the possibility for effective change either in his personal life style or in the political system appeared remote.' Reflecting upon this gulf between …

On Dissent, Violence, And The Intellectual, Page Keeton

Vanderbilt Law Review

If I have properly assessed the meaning of Dean Forrester's comments, he stated that: (1) America is now in the midst of an attempted revolution, an attempt to create a new society by force and violence; (2) war, race relations, poverty, environment, and the other festers in our society, while great problems, are not the real causes of the discontent; (3) the attempted revolution is the product of a generation of university teaching and writing which has created the intellectual atmosphere and the state of mind that sustain the conflict. I respectfully dissent while recognizing at the same time the …

Neither Pollyanna Nor Cassandra, But Positive Commitment To Human Values, Jefferson B. Fordham

Vanderbilt Law Review

To me the positive message of the paper is that we should view our condition with a sense of history and a sense of humor and, in that perspective, dwell more upon the good that we perceive in ourselves, our institutions, and our performance. That is fine, but it does not tell us enough. We know that in all ages man has been in no wise more conspicuous than in his inhumanity to man. The record of torture and slaughter during the Crusades and the Inquisition, movements associated with religion, darkens the pages of history.What must be noted is that …

Law Students And A Constructive Approach To The Future Of America, John W. Wade

Vanderbilt Law Review

In years past, many intellectuals adhered to a theory of laissez faire. They believed that the way to maintain our economic system in good health was to keep our government and laws from interfering with its natural working. In those days, judges did not make law; they discovered through legal reasoning what the law was and what it had always been. In both fields the theory fell into decline and disfavor. As Justice Cardozo put it, the concept of laissez faire in law went the way of laissez faire in economics. Another theory, of more ancient origin, is that of …

Legal Education: A More Optimistic View, Robert B. Mckay

Vanderbilt Law Review

While few would disagree with Dean Forrester's statement that"America is now in the midst of an attempted revolution," several questions naturally arise. Dean Forrester does not identify the nature and goals of the "attempted revolution," but the inference is that he disapproves. One wonders whether he objects to change because it challenges the status quo; whether he disagrees with the direction of the proposed change; or whether he opposes the method, particularly the abruptness, with which change is being forced upon us. Each possibility merits response.

Change Versus the Status Quo. It would be unfair to Dean Forrester to suggest …

Book Notes, Law Review Staff

Vanderbilt Law Review

CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC TRUST Report of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York Special Committee on Congressional Ethics New York: Atheneum, 1970. Pp. xxvii, 351. $8.95.

How TO TALK BACK TO YOUR TELEVISION SET By Nicholas Johnson Boston: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1970. Pp. ix, 228. $5.75.

THE QUALITY OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT Edited by Harvey S.Perloff Washington: Resources for the Future, Inc., 1969. Pp. xiii, 332.$6.50.

WELFARE MEDICAL CARE: AN EXPERIMENT By Charles H. Goodrich, Margaret C. Olendzki, and George G. Reader Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1970. Pp. viii, 343. $7.00.

The Collateral Consequences Of A Criminal Conviction, Thomas R. Mccoy, Walter Matthews Grant, John Lecornu, John Andrew Pickens, Dean Hill Rivkin, C. Roger Vinson

Vanderbilt Law Review

As a general matter [civil disability law] has simply not been rationally designed to accommodate the varied interests of society and the individual convicted person. There has been little effort to evaluate the whole system of disabilities and disqualifications that has grown up. ...As a result, convicted persons are generally subjected to numerous disabilities and disqualifications which have little relation to the crime committed, the person committing it or,consequently, the protection of society. They are often harsh out of all proportion to the crime committed.

Book Reviews, Samuel A. Bleicher, Nat. T. Winston, Jr., Dan B. German

Vanderbilt Law Review

Law-Making in the International Civil Aviation Organization By Thomas Buergenthal Syracuse University Press, 1969. Pp. viii,247. $10.50.

reviewer: Samuel A. Bleicher

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The Role of Psychiatry in Law By Manfred S. Guttmacher, M.D. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas, 1968. Pp. ix, 170. $7.50.

reviewer: Nat. T. Winston, Jr., M.D.

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The Development of Political Attitudes in Children By Robert D. Hess & Judith V. Torney Chicago: Aldine Publishing Co., 1967. Pp. xviii, 288. $9.75.

reviewer: Dan B. German

Book Notes, Law Review Staff

Vanderbilt Law Review

Book Notes --

The Strength of Government--By McGeorge Bundy Cambridge:Harvard University Press, 1968. Pp. xii, 107. $3.75.

Towards a Global Federalism-- By William 0. Douglas. New York: New York University Press, 1968. Pp. xi, 177, $7.95.

Democracy, Dissent, and Disorder: The Issues and the Law-- By Robert F. Drinan New York: The Seabury Press, 1969. Pp. 152,$4.95.

The End of Obscenity: The Trials of Lady Chatterly, Tropic of Cancer, and Fanny Hill --By Charles Rembar New York: Random House, Inc., 1968. Pp. xii, 528. $8.95.

Justice on Trial-- By A.L. Todd Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1964. Pp. ix, …

Book Reviews, Maurice H. Merrill, Tom C. Clark, Anthony Platt

Vanderbilt Law Review

Discretionary Justice: A Preliminary Inquiry

By Kenneth Culp Davis Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press. 1969. Pp. xii,233. $8.50

reviewer: Maurice H. Merrill

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Gambling and Organized Crime

By Rufus King Washington:Public Affairs Press, 1969. Pp. viii, 239. $6.00

reviewer: Tom C. Clark

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The Throwaway Children

By Lisa Aversa Richette New York:J.B. Lippincott, 1969. Pp. x, 342. $6.95

reviewer: Anthony Platt

Political Hijacking: What Law Applies In Peace And War, William H. Reeves

Vanderbilt Law Review

A new breed of hijackers has evolved as a product of international political strife of recent years. In attempts to escape an actual or self-styled oppressive environment, these political hijackers cause irreparable injury and serious danger to travelers, and complicate the operation of many transportation companies. After sketching the problems involved in providing adequate reparations to the injured passengers and corporations, and in implementing adequate punishment of the offenders, Mr. Reeves examines the question of whether a hijacked ship or plane might be retained by the arrival country rather than returned to its foreign owner. The author concludes that such …

Civil Disobedience And The Law, Frank M. Johnson, Jr.

Vanderbilt Law Review

This article is based on a speech delivered by Judge Frank M.Johnson, Jr. to the faculty and students of the Vanderbilt Law School. Judge Johnson's thesis is that "civil disobedience" presents a special challenge to judges and lawyers. He feels that there are alternatives to "civil disobedience" for challenging and protesting the law and that lawyers have a duty to inform the public of these alternate methods. Only in extreme cases does Judge Johnson believe that "civil disobedience" is justified. He illustrates his thesis with a discussion of the events surrounding the Democratic Convention at Chicago.

Metropolitan Problems And Local Government Structure: An Examination Of Old And New Issues, Daniel R. Grant

Vanderbilt Law Review

At a time when our leading popular magazines are featuring cover headlines on "The Sick, Sick Cities," and articles on their"Battle for Survival" it seems appropriate to examine some old and new issues concerning the relationship of metropolitan problems to local government structure. The journalists who write such articles probably hear a great deal about the frustrating legal and political obstacles to achieving more rational forms of government for our exploding, strife-torn metropolitan areas. They probably do not hear, however, that political scientists are divided on such questions as the reality of "metropolitan-type" problems and the feasibility of area-wide metropolitan …

The Legalization Of Marihuana: A Realistic Approach, Part I, Law Review Staff

Vanderbilt Law Review

All present indications point to an increase in marihuana use throughout the United States. Twenty-five years ago, the drug was found almost exclusively among the working class and minority groups, but the present trend has been toward increased use among people in the middle and upper income and social strata of society. As a result of this trend, the "marihuana problem" is gaining wide-spread prominence. More and more individuals, especially youth,are being subjected to the severe penalties associated with possession and use of marihuana. Not only are people becoming more aware of the legal punishments, but existing facts as to …

Book Reviews, Edward W. Kuhn

Vanderbilt Law Review

Lawyers and Their Work; An Analysis of the Legal Profession in the United States and England. By Quintin Johnstone and Dan Hopson, Jr. Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1967. Pp. x, 604. $10.

Book Reviews, Henry N. Wieman, Jerome Hall

Vanderbilt Law Review

The problem discussed by Professor Stumpf in his book Morality and the Law can be summarized by these questions: Do we have two kinds of prescribed conduct, one prescribed by morality independent of the government, the other prescribed by government independent of morality? Or is prescription by government necessarily moral because government is necessarily moral by reason of being the government? If not, under what conditions, if any, does prescription by government become a moral prescription? Under what conditions, if any, is government, by law, a matter of expedience, not to be confused with morality?

reviewer: Henry Nelson Wieman

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Book Reviews, Elliot E. Cheatham, Joseph B. Board, Jr., Monroe Berkowitz

Vanderbilt Law Review

The Law Practice of Alexander Hamilton By Julius Goebel, Ed. and Associate Editors New York and London: Columbia University Press, 1964. Pp. XXV, 898.

reviewer: Elliot E. Cheatham

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Lawyers in Politics: A Study in Professional Convergence By Heinz Eulau and John D. Sprague Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill,1964. Pp. 164. $1.95.

reviewer: Joseph B. Board, Jr.

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Occupational Disability and Public Policy Edited by Earl F. Cheit and Margaret S. Gordon. New York: John Wiley and Sons,Inc., 1963. Pp. xii, 446.

reviewer: Monroe Berkowitz

Law And Literature--A Comment, Harvey Couch, Iii

Vanderbilt Law Review

The author here examines the ways in which law and literature complement each other; legal settings providing dramatic backdrops to fine literature and literature serving to familiarize lawyers with writing style as well as the moral sentiments of the people expressed in literature. Yet law and literature need not remain distinct entities, but blend together in certain works of such authors as Hand, Camus, and Prettyman, providing, perhaps, the lawyers most enjoyable reading.

A Breakthrough On Presidential Inability: The Aba Conference Consensus, James C. Kirby, Jr.

Vanderbilt Law Review

As a marriage of the two proposals which have the greatest past acceptance, the consensus recommendation should receive widespread acceptance. It meets the objections which the Kennedy administration had to the Eisenhower proposal and the objections of supporters of the Eisenhower plan to the enabling amendment. It does not appear to be subject to any legitimate criticism which executive branch spokesmen have leveled in the past at proposed amendments. The method by which it evolved should indicate widespread acceptance in academic and professional circles.

Executive support continues to be the key. Experience has shown that no proposal so intimately concerned …

On Legal Stability And Change, Edwin W. Patterson

Vanderbilt Law Review

The paradox, "law must be stable and yet it cannot stand still,"expresses one of the basic metaphysical aspects of law. Is law a Being or a Becoming? Some would answer this question by saying that the law is always a Becoming, a part of the eternal flux of human actions and conditions. It is impossible, they may say, to enclose the law in a logical system of norms, however well sanctioned. The important things, then, are the motivations of the persons who effectuate legal change (assuming these persons can be pointed out, which is not always the case) or their …