since the first day of December, eighteen hundred and seventy-three". Act of Mar. 9, 1878 (20 Stat. 27).

Secs. 2 and 3 of act of Mar. 2, 1877, above, prescribed the duties of the commissioner in preparing the new edition of the Revised Statutes, and the matters to be included therein.

Notes of Decisions.

Second edition. The publication of the second edition of the Revised Statutes under act of Mar. 2, 1877, did not affect any statute passed subsequent to Dec. 1. 1873. McLean v. St. Paul & C. Ry. Co. (C. C. 1879), Fed. Cas. No. 8,893.

The act of Mar. 3, 1875, providing for removal of causes from State courts was not repealed by the marginal reference to the same in sec. 639 of the second edition of the Revised Statutes. Norris v. Mineral Point Tunnel (C. C. 1881), 7 Fed. 272.

The second edition of the Revised Statutes is neither a new revision nor a new enactment. It is only a new publication-a compilation containing the original law with certain specific alterations and amendments, made by subsequent legislation, incorporated therein, according to the judgment of the editor, who had no discretion to correct errors or supply omissions. Wright v. U. S. (1879), 15 Ct.

Cl. 80.

2984. Revised Statutes, supplement of 1891.-That the publication of the Supplement to the Revised Statutes, embracing the statutes general and permanent in their nature, passed after the Revised Statutes, with references connecting provisions on the same subject, explanatory notes, and citations of judicial decisions, be continued and issued in one volume, to include the general laws of the Forty-seventh, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, and Fifty-first C'ongresses, with a table of alterations and a general index to the whole, to be prepared and edited by the editor of the existing Supplement, authorized by the joint resolution of June twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and eighty, nurabered forty-four (Supplement to Revised Statutes, page five hundred and eighty-two), to be stereotyped at the Government Printing Office, using the present plates, as far as practicable, with such alterations as may be found necessary, the work and plates and all right and title therein and thereto to be in and fully belong to the Government for its exclusive use and benefit. Sec. 1, act of Apr. 9, 1890 (26 Stat. 50).

The volume published in conformity to the authority conferred by this statute was published in 1891, and is entitled "Vol. 1, Supplement to the Revised Statutes of the United States. Second edition. 1874-1891;" and supersedes the volume published under authority of Joint Resolution No. 44 of June 7, 1880 (21 Stat. 308). Under authority of act of Feb. 27, 1893 (27 Stat. 477), the publication of the supplement was continued part of a second volume being issued in 1895, containing general legislation of the Fifty-second and Fifty-third Congresses, between Jan. 22, 1892, and Mar. 2, 1895. Later numbers were issued at the end of each session as required by act of June 4, 1897 (30 Stat. 80), to include the general legislation of the Fifty-sixth Congress. Volume 2, therefore, comprises the general legislation of the Fifty-second to the Fifty-sixth Congresses, Jan. 22, 1892, to Mar. 3, 1901. Since then the publication has been discontinued, it is understood, because of the steps taken toward the preparation of a new revision of the statutes of the United States authorized by act of Mar. 3, 1901 (31 Stat. 1181).

2985. Supplements to Revised Statutes as evidence. That the publication herein authorized shall be taken to be prima facie evidence of the laws therein contained, but shall not change nor alter any existing law, nor preclude reference to nor control in case of any discrepancy, the effect of any original act passed by Congress. Sec. 3, act of April 9, 1890 (26 Stat. 50).

2986. Publication and distribution of the pamphlet edition of the statutes at large. That at the end of each session of Congress a pamphlet edition of the permanent and general legislation of the session, with notes, references, and an

index, substantially on the plan of the existing Supplement, shall be stereotyped and printed at the Government Printing Office; the plates and all rights thereto to be the property of the United States. Sec. 2, act of Feb. 27, 1893 (27 Stat. 478).

That the number of copies of said pamphlet and the distribution and sale thereof shall be the same as provided for the printing, distribution, and sale of said Supplement by the act of April ninth, eighteen hundred and ninety, chapter seventy-three (First Supplement to Revised Statutes, second edition, page seven hundred and twelve). Sec. 3, act of Feb. 27, 1893 (27 Stat. 478). By act of Jan. 12, 1895 (28 Stat. 614), 200 copies were required to be furnished to the War Department.

Notes of Decisions.

Status of publisher.-A person employed by Congress to prepare and edit the publication of the statutes at the end of each

session is not an officer, but a contractor. Drury v. U. S. (1908), 43 Ct. Cl. 237.

2987. Preservation of copies of the Statutes at Large.-The various officers of the United States, to whom, in virtue of their offices and for the uses thereof, copies of the United States Statutes at Large, published by Little, Brown and Company, have been or may be distributed at the public expense, by authority of law, shall preserve such copies, and deliver them to their successors respectively as a part of the property appertaining to the office. A printed copy of this section shall be inserted in each volume of the statutes distributed to any such officers. R. S. 1777.

The pamphlet copies of

2988. The Statutes at Large as evidence.the statutes and the bound copies of the Acts of each Congress shall be legal evidence of the laws and treaties therein contained in all the courts of the United States and of the several States therein. The said pamphlet and the Statutes at Large shall contain all laws, joint and concurrent resolutions passed by Congress, and also all conventions, treaties, proclamations, and agreements. Sec. 73, act of Jan. 12, 1895 (28 Stat. 615).

Notes of Decisions.

Act of Congress as evidence.-The acts of Congress, as they stand approved by the

of State, are conclusive evidence of the written law. (1857) 9 Op. Atty. Gen. 1.

2989. Little & Brown's edition of the statutes to be evidence.-The edition of the laws and treaties of the United States, published by Little & Brown, shall be competent evidence of the several public and private acts of Congress, and of the several treaties therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the United States, and of the several States, without any further proof or authentication thereof. R. S. 908.

The edition of the laws, etc., mentioned in this section, included vols. 1-17 of the Statutes at Large, which were published under contracts with the publishers named. Said contracts were terminated by sec. 1, act of June 20, 1874 (18 Stat. 113). As to Judicial notice taken of acts of Congress, see ante, 2977, 2988.

2990. Definitions of terms used in statutes.—In determining the meaning of the revised statutes, or of any act or resolution of Congress passed subsequent to February twenty-fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, words importing the singular number may extend and be applied to several persons or things; words

importing the plural number may include the singular; words importing the masculine gender may be applied to females; the words "insane person' and "lunatic" shall include every idiot, non compos, lunatic, and insane person; the word "person" may extend and be applied to partnerships and corporations, and the reference to any officer shall include any person authorized by law to perform the duties of such office, unless the context shows that such words were intended to be used in a more limited sense; and a requirement of an "oath" shall be deemed complied with by making affirmation in judicial form. R. S. 1.

The word "vessel" includes every description of water-craft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation . on water. R. S. 3.

The word "vehicle" includes every description of carriage or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on land. R. S. 4.

The word "company" or "association," when used in reference to a corporation, shall be deemed to embrace the words " successors and assigns of such company or association," in like manner as if these last-named words, or words of similar import, were expressed. R. S. 5.

2991. Laws in effect in Hawaii.-That the Constitution, and, except as otherwise provided, all the laws of the United States, including laws carrying gen eral appropriations, which are not locally inapplicable, shall have the same force and effect within the said Territory as elsewhere in the United States: Provided, That sections eighteen hundred and forty-one to eighteen hundred and ninety-one, inclusive, nineteen hundred and ten and nineteen hundred and twelve, of the Revised Statutes, and the amendments thereto, and an Act entitled "An Act to prohibit the passage of local or special laws in the Territories of the United States, to limit territorial indebtedness, and for other purposes," approved July thirtieth, eighteen hundred and eighty-six, and the amendments thereto, shall not apply to Hawaii. Sec. 5, act of Apr. 30 1900 (31 Stat. 141), as amended by sec. 1, act of May 27, 1910 (36 Stat. 443).

That the laws of Hawaii not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States or the provisions of this Act shall continue in force, subject to repeal or amendment by the legislature of Hawaii or the Congress of the United States. Sec. 6, act of Apr. 30, 1900 (31 Stat. 142).

Sec. 5, as originally enacted, provided that the Constitution, and, except as otherwise provided, all the laws of the United States not locally inapplicable should have the same force and effect within the Territory as elsewhere in the United States, with a proviso that R. S. 1850, 1890, should not apply to the Territory. It was amended by adding the clause "including laws carrying general appropriations," and by changing the proviso to read as set forth here.

R. S. 1910, 1912, mentioned in this section, containing provisions relating to the courts of certain Territories named or referred to therein, were superseded by the admission of all said Territories to the Union as States.

Notes of Decisions.

Constitution and laws applicable.-When territory is acquired by treaty or conquest, or otherwise, its relation to the nation ac. quiring it depends upon the laws of that nation, unless controlled by the instrument of cession. (1898) 22 Op. Atty. Gen. 150.

The resolution annexing the Hawaiian Islands is intended to have the effect of a treaty of cession merely, whereby those islands become, in a broad sense, subject to American sovereignty. How that sovereignty will regulate their status with re

gard to itself and its laws is not thereby intended to be determined. Id.

The laws of the United States affecting the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the laws of such islands, are to remain generally

undisturbed by reason of the resolution of annexation, until Congress provides a Government therefor. (1898) 22 Op. Atty. Gen. 219.

2992. Laws in effect in Porto Rico.-That the laws and ordinances of Porto Rico now in force shall continue in force and effect, except as altered, amended, or modified herein, until altered, amended, or repealed by the legislative authority herein provided for Porto Rico or by Act of Congress of the United States; and such legislative authority shall have power, when not inconsistent with this Act, by due enactment to amend, alter, modify, or repeal any law or ordinance, civil or criminal, continued in force by this Act as it may from time to time see fit. Sec. 57, act of March 2, 1917 (39 Stat. 968).

That all laws or parts of laws applicable to Porto Rico not in conflict with any of the provisions of this Act, including the laws relating to tariffs, customs, and duties on importations into Porto Rico prescribed by the Act of Congress entitled "An Act temporarily to provide revenues and a civil government for Porto Rico, and for other purposes," approved April twelfth, nineteen hundred, are hereby continued in effect, and all laws and parts of laws inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed. Sec. 58, act of March 2, 1917 (39 Stat. 968).

That the statutory laws of the United States not locally inapplicable, except as hereinbefore or hereinafter otherwise provided, shall have the same force and effect in Porto Rico as in the United States, except the internal-revenue laws: Provided, however, That hereafter all taxes collected under the internalrevenue laws of the United States on articles produced in Porto Rico and transported to the United States, or consumed in the island shall be covered into the treasury of Porto Rico. Sec. 9, act of Mar. 2, 1917 (39 Stat. 954).

2993. Laws in effect in Alaska.-That the Constitution of the United States. and all the laws thereof which are not locally inapplicable, shall have the same force and effect within the said Territory as elsewhere in the United States; that all the laws of the United States heretofore passed establishing the executive and judicial departments in Alaska shall continue in full force and effect until amended or repealed by act of Congress; that except as herein provided all laws now in force in Alaska shall continue in full force and effect until altered, amended, or repealed by Congress or by the legislature: Sec. 3, act of Aug. 24, 1912 (37 Stat. 512).

Notes of Decisions.

Constitution and laws applicable.-Constitution and laws applicable to Alaska. Rasmussen v. U. S. (1905), 25 Sup. Ct. 514, 518, 197 U. S. 516, 49 L. Ed. 862; Nagle v. U. S. (1911), 191 Fed. 141, 111 C. C. A. 621.

The common law by act of Congress has been declared to be in force in the Territory of Alaska. McCloskey v. Pacific Coast Co. (1908), 160 Fed. 794, 87 C. C. A. 568, 22 L. R. A. (N. S.) 673.

Powers of Congress.-In legislating for Alaska, Congress exercises the combined powers of the General and State Government. The Alaska Code is to be considered and construed as if enacted by the legislature of a State. Allen v. Myers (1901), 1 Alaska, 114.

2994. Laws in effect in the Philippine Islands.-That the provisions of this Act and the name "The Philippines" as used in this Act shall apply to and include the Philippine Islands ceded to the United States Government by the treaty of

peace concluded between the United States and Spain on the eleventh day of April, eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, the boundaries of which are set forth in Article III of said treaty, together with those islands embraced in the treaty between Spain and the United States concluded at Washington on the seventh day of November, nineteen hundred. Sec. 1, act of Aug. 29, 1916 (39 Stat. 545).

That the statutory laws of the United States hereafter enacted shall not apply to the Philippine Islands except when they specifically so provide, or it is so provided in this Act. Scc. 5, act of Aug. 29, 1916 (39 Stat. 547).

That the laws now in force in the Philippines shall continue in force and effect, except as altered, amended, or modified herein, until altered, amended, or repealed by the legislative authority herein provided or by Act of Congress of the United States. Scc. 6, act of Aug. 29, 1916 (39 Stat. 547).

That all laws or parts of laws applicable to the Philippines not in conflict with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby continued in force and effect. Sec. 31, act of Aug. 29, 1916 (39 Stat. 556).

2994. Laws in effect in Canal Zone. That all laws, orders, regulations, and ordinances adopted and promulgated in the Canal Zone by order of the President for the government and sanitation of the Canal Zone and the construction of the Panama Canal are hereby ratified and confirmed as valid and binding until Congress shall otherwise provide. The existing courts established in the Canal Zone by Executive order are recognized and confirmed to continue in operation until the courts provided for in this Act shall be established. Sec. 2, act of Aug. 24, 1912 (37 Stat. 561).

Notes of Decisions.

An order of the President continuing in force for the government of the Canal Zone "the laws of the land, with which the inhabitants are famillar," etc., was construed by the Government as including the Civil Code of Panama, and was followed by an act of Congress ratifying the laws, orders, etc., promulgated by the President. Held, that the order merely embodied the rule

that a change of sovereignty does not end existing private law, and that the act neither fastened upon the Zone a specific civil-law interpretation of the Code nor overthrew the principle of common-law construction adopted and applied by the Supreme Court of the Zone before the act was passed. Panama Railroad Co. v. Bosse (1918), 249 U. S. 41.

2995. Laws concerning the military establishment.-All existing laws pertaining to or affecting the United States Military Academy and civilian or military personnel on duty thereat in any capacity whatever, the officers and enlisted men on the retired list, the detached and additional officers under the Act of Congress approved March third, nineteen hundred and eleven, recruiting parties, recruit depots and unassigned recruits, service school detachments, United States disciplinary barracks guards, disciplinary organizations, the Philippine Scouts, and Indian scouts shall continue and remain in force except as herein specifically provided otherwise. Sec. 22, act of June 3, 1916 (39 Stat. 181).

For act of Mar. 3, 1911, mentioned above, see 2362, ante.

2996. Revision and codification of military laws.-That the Secretary of War is hereby directed to cause to be prepared, with as much expedition as may be consistent with thoroughness, to be finished within two years, a revision and codification of the military laws of the United States, which shall conform in scope and character to the revision and codification of the laws of the United States of a permanent and general nature directed by the Act of