Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-11-07
TIE VERMONT BAR ASSOCIATION

Wejudge from oureXchauges that the
lawyers had u good time at Montpelier
Il great number being present and the
literary exercises were said to be very
interesting. Chiefcamong which were
Mr.. Phelps sketches of the manner in
which English lawyers lived and
practlced; and the sketch Of Judge
Tyler which seemed to describe the
men OF those old times in which he
lived Just us they were without cover
ing them with fables ana fiction.
There is no SO sure way to get lock
into the past than for our men advan-
ced in years to give us the benefit OF
their back sights" We get a much
better estimate Of the lives of men that
are gone by listening to oral de5cril =
tionS Of them from men who lived with
or near to them in point OF time, than
we can get in any other way. Om
lawyers seem to be much pleased with
the workings OF this Bar Association
in that it brings them into more i'm
mediate relations with the Bar OF the
State and with the interesting past
This no doubt is highly pleasing to
those lawyers who live in the remote
portions Of the State. And we have
no objection TO their furnishing such
means Of communication as is pleasing
and useful to them and we doubt not
that the people will not complain, al
their doing any thing pleasing and
useful TO themselves and that will aid
thetu in obtaining that knowledge of
men and things which they 50 much
need. Bat we have heard some sug-
gestions made that they ought not to
subordinate the pleasures and interests
of other people to their own advan-
tago ; and that ii they centralize their
work it would then be unnecessary for
them TO go about the State i'll the old
time fashion giving the people, the
inhabitants OF those remote sections,
an opportunity to hear and admire the
workings of the Bar aud the Courts.
They cannot see why they are deprived
OF their privileges and why they are
doomed to hearl no more the sweet
music of (their) speech" and enjoy and
profit by it. They would like as well
TO share in the pleasures and benefits
of this elevation OF the Bar, provided
And one of our DIRECTORS even went
50 far as 10 say that the warm and
comfortable time enjoyed by the law
yers reminded him Of the obscure
sutton who was travelling to Court,
stopping at an inn for the night, found
the lawyers constituting a complete
ring around the fire SO that he was
unable to approach it to warm himself
He was aecosted by one Of them with
"Well Mr.. Countryman, where did
YOU come from ?" E0which hereplied,
from HI sill" We'll sir, how did
you find things there? "Oh pretty
much as they are here, the lawyers
nearest the fire" Now we know moth
ing OF the merits Of the situation, but
venture to hope that if this centra!iza-
ton Of our legal business isso necessary
that it will be accomplished and con
irolled Ivy legislation, 50 that the
people may feel THAT it is brought
about 10y such means as that they
would be satisfied that everything isl
done from necessity and the public
good and III such u manner that il
will elevate the integrity OF the Bar
without producing in 1t any elements
Of arlstocracy. Our lawyers are loud
in their praises Of The advantages Of a
patient, deliberate hearing, while they
can have access 10 the numerous
Authorities required in their cases and
we have no means Of knowledge by
which we can question this. But if
this is ali true, why cannot it be made
manifest TO the Legislature 70 that
all our people may fee. that it is done
by law Aiid Tor the good Of The whole
community and not by individuals
for their convenience or pleasure. We
say this in no spirit Of criticism, FOR as
wo said before we have no knowledge
or experience upon which we can
found any opinion upon the merits of
The case.