Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Colorado Volume 52 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 Excerpt: ...a definition of the word to be "a determinative action or procedure intended as means to an end; anything devised or done with a view to the accomplishment of a purpose," the definition is followed with an illustration to demonstrate tlie meaning given, as follows: "Specifically, in later use, any course of action proposed or adopted by a government, or a bill introduced into a legislature, as measures (that is, a bill or bills) for the relief of the poor; a wise measure; rash measures." To the same effect is a definition and illustration given by Webster, defining and illustrating the meaning of the word, as applied to legislative enactments, where it is defined to be "a step or definite part of a progressive course or policy; a means to and end; an act designed for the accomplishment of an object; as political measures; prudent measures; an inefficient measure." In other words, the term, as applied to legislative enactments, means their character, with re spect to the purpose for which they are enacted.. _ Certainly, none of these definitions or illustrations by standard authorities, can be distorted into meaning that a measure would include a new charter, but was intended to include an amendment, having for its object some specific purpose. In the absence of words indicating a contrary intent, it must be presumed that terms employed in a legislative enactment are used according to the definitions given by the standard authorities, and that the body enacting a law intended to use words in their known and commonly accepted signification---S, terme_r 2/. La Plato Co., 5 Colo. App., 379 (385); Kemwdy 1'. The People, 9_Colo. App, 490 (493). Applying this rule, it is clear that by the employment ofthe word "measure,&#822...