New-York tribune., 1874-10-14
THE BAR ASSOCIATION.

DISCUSSION REG GARDING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION.
A meeting of the Bar Association was held
last evening the Of the Association, at NO. 40
West Twenty-seventh-st., Gen. Charles w. Sandford
presiding After transactng the usual routine business
during which Charles II. Duel was unanimously
elected member of the organzation-there was con-
uderable discussion about the proposed purchase OF
another building to be used as clubhouse or place OF
meeting by the Association. The present accommoda-
mons are very limited Dorman B. Eaton, as President
Of Committee appointed year ago to make the pur-
phase, reported that while the Committee had
In mind house in Twenty-nnth-st, they
had taken no action because OF tho unsettled
state OF prices real estate On motion Of District
Attorney Phelps resolution was passed requesting the
Committee to consider itself authorized to act as pur-
chasers, and urging speedy action resolution OF Dor
man b. Elton that the Secretary be requested to pre-
pare brief statement OF the origin Of the Association
and 70 append thereto copy Of the proceedings at the
FIRST meeting, with a view to having it made part OF
the permanent record passed after short discus
pSn Secretary announced for consideration at the
next meeting q motion. signed by number OF mem
bers that the constitution be amended that members
Of the Bar of hess than six years standing. residing in
the city. may have the advantages of the library with
becoming members OF the organization, and subject
20 the restrictions Of proper committee.
Dorman B. Eaton SAID that he supposed all present
were aware that the people OF the State about TO
vote upon considerable number Of amendments TO the
Constitution. and other matters which within the
sphere OF the legal profession and upon which, more
than apy other class Of citizens the profession was
bound TO have intelligent and clear opinion. True.
Committee had been appointed to consider the subject
but II had been unable to take any action. He had
think that the expressed opinion OF the Club
would have considerable weight, aud would help the
public intelligent conclusion. Whatever
action the Committee took should be ab-
solutely irrespective OF party considerations.
Mr. Eaton closed by Offering a resolution that Com
mttee be appointed to the name and inhu-
ence Of Association in all proper ways In favor OF
next election Mr. EdtOns resolution the subject OF
Q long aud spirited discussion, IN which Messrs NcOl,
Haud, Price. and JOhu McKeon took part First there
was motion, which seconded. to lay 1t Oh the table,
MI Hand said that the amendments were appointments
to he poflcal Constitution of the State and hence be-
yond the actual province OF the profession. Mr. Nle0
IL OF the utmost Importance that
the should be adopted, they were more
IN the interest OF reform than anything that had
delicate matter for the Association to act upon.
John McKeon agreed with Mr. Hand that any attempt
by the Association dictate on political question to
the publc would he seriously reDuked The motion TO
lay the resolution the table was lost. MIR. Mcke0n
thought lawyers statesmen were not usually sue
cess Mr.. Elton responded in eloquent appeal for
more thorough knowledge of the principles of
the State and National! Government III The pro-
feeson. To men down TO little ana
mean issues by cries OF party aims was dsas
trous Finally the resolution referred TO commit
iee consisting OF Messrs. NicOll, Hand Jackson On
etead Classy, who will report at meeting next
lay