The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-06-29

- IL
and that when the wave of law reform
reaches our state IL will find so many
weaknesses In this court as here adj
ninistered, so many usurpations of its
valuable powers, so many failures In its
efforts TO reach the noble ends for
which it is designed, that il will be at
tackled in gross as it has been elsewhere,
and perhaps 20 down In general and
absolute collapse. Rather let us look
the matter in the face, and by proper
amendment and restraint preserve what
there Is of value in this time-honored
institution. Our court of chancerv is |
too slow and, partly on account of this,
Is too expensive. Justice to be efficient |
should be speedy and cheap. The his |
tory of case through the courts was
given, rivalling the famous Jarndyce |
vs.. Jarndyce. OF course such extended |
litigation must be expensive, and we
shall all agree that expense should be |
reasonable and delay brief. The prog
ress of a case through the courts was
examined in detail, and methods by
which 1t might be shortened suggested. |
Answers should be required in twenty,
thirty or forty days from service; wit
nesses should be examined before the
chancellor in court, instead of writing
out testimony, thus saving much time
and giving the chancellor a better
knowledge of the case.
| The speaker concluded as follows:
Let me, then, appeal TO you, all of you,
wherever may be your home and what
ever your vocation, to give heed to any
sober discussion of the great subject Of
legal methods and legal reforms, invol-
wing az they do all the property and re-
lations between mankind. Onr laws
are not made by lawyers. Legislatures
are now largely composed of other
classes OF our citizens. Progress must
be made, if at all, by the action of our
Lawmakers, and our legislatures act
only in response to the demands of the
public at large. Surely, in matters so
important to the state as some of those
1 have touched upon, and many more
which have had no time to develop.
no one can refuse to think somewhat.
If some echo of my words may reach
the ears of persons potent In the con-
struction of our systems, may be tested
by investigation, may be sifted to the
calculation of the truth, may receive
. such practical emphasis and action as
their Importance shall seem to requii e
then our assembly to-day at the feet of
our alma mater will prove of more val
ue than the pleasant passing of an hour,
and true and vital benefit may accrue,
? not to us only, but to all our charitable
D and literary institutions, our dearest
and most sacred interests and trusts,
and our most important and intimate
relations and associations, In our states,
our counties, our communities and our
l homes"
The poem was delivered by Prof
, Walter E. Howard, of Castleton, upon
"Radicalism," and was very fine one,
s much admired and praised by the audi.
b, ence. We hope to give it to our read
, ers hereafter, but have not space for il
3 in this connection.
The orator nominated and the associ
q alton elected as honorary member of the
Association, Rev. James Gibson John
son, of Rutland. The poet nominated
John NJ. Stowell, Esq, of Milwaukee
n Wis, and he was also elected. Aftel
D., the literary exercises the association ad
Y journed to the Addison House to par
d take Of the Alumni dinner and EMO,
the reunion. After the cloth was re
s moved, the usual after dinner exercises
II followed. Rev. E. P Hooker, frs
|
l. Of the president, and after brief re
e marks, called upon Rev. DR.. j. d
h Wickham, who spoke feelingly of tn
Y late DR.. Cushman, member of tn,
d corporation and always friend of tn
|, college.
G Rev. j. G. johnson was called upol
=. as the representative of Union College
II and he briefly and happily responded
# and expressed his regard for small col
J. leges.
Prof. L. Ii. Higley was called out a
q representative of the college faculty
He congratulated the College on tn
is success of the Commencement exercise
lie thus far, complimenting the speakers @
!" the day very highly.
l. briefly TO the call for the orator, relal
So ing several interesting incidents in hi
N own experience.
l. Hon. W. c. Dunton also responde
e. to call from the president. He urge
IS Hon. VIM. Fl. Walker, of Ludlow
= speaking feelingly his love for his A
as ma Mater.
OF E. II. Hunt, Esq, of Mississippi, {
l
g. that this WAS his first visit here at Con
le mencement since bis graduation, an
IL gave some interesting "reminiscences.
ic Prof. E. Brainerd also spoke brief
er of the duty of the Alumni to work fc
the college. He compared the value {
t; course In large and small colleges an
n gave the preference to the latter.
=; Francis G.. Clark, Esq, of Iowa, W,
a. called out under the title of Judg
he which he disclaimed, but gave a yer
lie pleasant speech, in which he referred ,
i'd the devotion he felt for mis- Alma Mate
a. Mr.. s. b. Pettengill, Of the Rutlan
I'd Herald, was called out and GRACEFUL
o. excused himself, adopting as his sent
10, ments the remarks of the previol
be speaker.
is Prof. II. H. Shaw, of Mancheste
he spoke of his love and respect for Mi
he dlebury College.
by Prof. w. E. Howard, of Castleto
Vi answered the call of the president wi
is few words expressing his pleasure al
o. interest.
X Rev. S. L. Blake of Concord, n. Il
ne spoke of the superior instruction give
at this institution.
MS Rev. NJ. L. Severance, of DRIVE
Vi Dfleny respouueu 10 Chii Houi u
CT president, giving some "reminiscences
ID college life.
ng Ex-Gov. j. W. Stewart spoke brief
"a and pledged entertainment for TWEEN
W. alumni next year, and invited all pre-
it ent to come and bring all their friend
es. and assured them Entertainment.
lp- Pres. Hubert closed the intellectu
ca entertainment with an address to t
nd alumni, calling attention to the sen
lu- ment referred to by Judge Barrett ID
lst year, and Gov. Stewart this year, that
APP Is the man himself, and not the collie
ms from which he graduated, which dett
nj mines the value of his services and
Ice success in the world, aud he also read
Ist, extract of letter from Prof. Phelps,
ace Andover, Mass, which was complime
III tary to this institution.