Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-11-02

considered as pretty deliberate expression OF the
feelings of the House in regard to it. It is said
reconsideration will be moved, and the smailness
of the majority as we'll the vote, "a number
being absent and some present not voting) woulu
render it by no means certain but reconsldera-
ton NAV be obtained, and even the Bill yet pass
ed; though I do not ink that can be done. ne
feeling is quite general, that we have had enough
of that Bill for one session. But some of its rlends
and its author particularly, "hard to kill,
&c the saving is and it is difHcult to tell in what
shape this Banquo's Ghost may yet appear. At
any rate the promise is, that if is quieted for this
year, it will up" at another, and even yet an "
other, and will not down till it shall have
chance to speak for itself, through fair triai as
law upon the statute book This IL said not
with any desi gn or desire to "badser the Legs
nature into passing it, but merely to show the con-
fdence of its friends in the Importance and Vitality
Of the principle involved.
As a conclusion Of this whole matter, may as
we'll, perhaps, give you the famous bill-contain-
ed as it is within the nutshell Of four short lines
1t is as follows, Gall told
an prosecutions within the jurisdic ton Of
Justice of the peace to try and determine the re-
spopdent if he elect shall be competent witness
and his being the respondent shall simply 60 to
his credibilty."
| The other centre Of attraction for to-day
the lawyer malpractice bill, was called up for its
third reading, pending which it was discussed at
length by the author, Mr. Robinson of Highgate,
| (who, whatever else may be said of it, made one
of the most decidedly Interesting" speeches we
have had) Mr.. Field Of Newfane, and Mr..
Dickerman of Charleston-all in fayor. And it
was ordered to a third reading by decided vote
! 1t provides that every Attorney shall upon re-
quest Of his client give his opinion upon the
points Of law which bear directly upon his case,
IN ,-iiuq for the extra labor Of which he Is to re-
ceive reasonable compensation" And any At
torney who neglects or refuses so to do shall be
EMIT ed to no fee whatever in the case The second
section Of the bill is as follows
..No Attorney shall be entitled to fees in any
| case In which his client has suffered dama5s IN
consequence Of incompotency, neglect OF hlslnau-
acement on the part OF his Attorney, or IN con:e-
o1ence Of palpable misnternretation OF the
known principles of law
The 4eeign Of the last section is unquestienably
to afford the lawyer some protection against
hi. client who shall mistake and misrepresent the
facts Of his case as is undoubtedly often done, mis-
leading him, and thus perhaps doing real and
serious injury to his reputation as a sound and
skillful LAWYER But think you will agree with
me that the idea if there any such in it. is to say
the best oueerly and awkwardly expressed 1t
reads thus
aIhe plaintiff or defendant in any action at the
request Of bis attorney shall certify the pol nts IN
/ his case which he can establish By competent
testimony and on failure to prove the same s41H
b bef responsible 70 his attorney for al reasonable
FEES
Now If that means anything it probably means
that in case Of such failure on the part Of client
he should be debarred from taking advantage Of
he preceding provisions OF the act; BUTT certain
" is very roundabout way Of getting at it.
The Bill was ordered to 3rd reading.
Several Committees have been in session this
evening. The report on the bill to elect Town
Representatives by plurality on the third ballot,
will be favorable with the recommendation to
amend-to elect on the fourth instead Ct the third
ballot.
Il is said the Concord annexation Com. are
ready to report. buthov have not heard. One Of
the most musical Of tho Committee cases is that
| in regard to the annexation Of part Of Eimore 70
Mar1i=;.Tr They have had two or three long
sessions already, and are to have another to-
morrow morning, aud arc Jet some days from
| decision. G.