The daily gazette., 1883-02-03
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Reporters nnd sseresy.
Alarrelr Attended meeting Of the members |
Of the bar Of this State was held In the court |
room thfs afternoon. Il had been called by |
the Bar Association Of New Castle county. |
The object was TO c0nsiler matters Of judi |
cal refOrm, 70 take steps toward framing
some new judicial system, and 70 make some
changes IN the matters Of practice and
pleading, the whole thing 70 be laid before /
the Legislature at its present session.
The meeting wss called 70 order By Attor-
ney General Gray a 1870 o'clock, and on
his motion y. y. saaiskers, Esq.. Of the
Kent bar, waE maIie eharman BY q unani-
nous vote. w. c. spruanee, Esq, moved
that ID. T. Marvel Of Georgetown, and
joseph Richardson Of Wilmington be
made secretaries. Mr.. Smithers In taking
the chair stated the object Of the meeting
and advised that the convention at once
proceed 10 work.
The following legal gentlemen were
present y. B. Smithers, Benjamin Nields,
William G. Epruanoe, G. IL. b. Day, Edward
Ridgely, Charles NJ. Cullen, John B. Pen
nington, J. Alexander Fulton, George V.
MASSEY, 8. W. McCaulley, George H. Bates,
George Gray, ID. 7. Marvel, Joseph Rich
ardson, ]. q. Grubb, Alexander B. Cooper,
W. r. Causey, Charles \. Richards, Hon.
Charles B. Lore. II. c. Conrad, r. 6.
Bradford, Jr., II. C. Turner, W. 4.
LYMAN, Thomas Davis, Liilburn Chandler,
Clifford james, K. r. Kenney, E. T Cooper,
John X. Bradford, Anthony Higgins, Austin
Harrington, TIlghman johnson, J. II.
Hoheeker, II. r. Pennington, George v.
Massey, John 4. Elliott, J. r. Ball,
Moore, Daniel II. Foster, Jacob
George Gray, Walter Bacon and others.
His Excellency Governor stockley was also
present.
Reporters Of the GAZETTE and Morning
News were In the room. Amer consultation
with lumber of other members of the bar
Mr.. Spruance got up and spoke of the de-
STABILITY OF having nothing published which
in the judgment Of the members Of the bar
should not be published. He made q
motion that the reporters should publish
nothing which Was said or done without
permission from the members Of the bar.
Mr.. Gray favored this, aud lively discus
sion followed, and Mr.. Smithers said Il was
not desired 10 exclude the members OF the
press, but simply to have nothing go into
the papers without the consent Of the gentle
men composing the meeting.
Mr. Massey made q strong speech In favor
Of the matters being given TO the news
papers, and against placing any restriction
whatever upon the gentlemen Of the press.
This, said he, Il public matter, and in
such cases 1t Is always best TO have them
fully and freely discussed. No harm could
come from the reporters being given full
permission 70 make full reports.
Mr.. Spruance made few additional re-
marks, In which he said that it might not
be beneficial to have the discussion pub
hshed, and certain things might be said
which 1t would be detrimental TO public in
terests 70 have appear.
Mr.. Lore concurred with Mr.. Spruance.
Mr. Grubb followed in a somew hat lengthy
IL /. .E.N l. ~. n
not always report things correctly, aud at
said in discussing the judiciary which
would endanger the friendly re
lations between the judges and
the members Of the bar He offered an
amendment 10 the effect that members of
the bar present as well as members of the
press, should by their presence consider
themselves bound 10 preserve secresy in all
matters Of the proceedings, uRtil the con-
vention agreed to allow them TO be made
public.
Ex-Attorney General Pennington made an
earnest speech In favor Of the fullest pub
licity. The people should understand these
matters, and the members Of the Legisla-
ture should understand theB, and the press,
which voiced public sentiment, should be
allowed the fullest opportunity Of discussing
the matters which the convention would
pAObAyiy lAiAEs AAE AbhlA SET no EtA5DA lDI
desiring TO hamper the reporters in their
work. Much would depend on the press in
getting the important questions 10 be acted
upon correctly understood by the people
For his part lac had nothing 10 say against
the judges, and would use no expressions
which he was not in favor Of having pub
llshed.
Mr.. FELTON, also spoke in favor Of having
full reports CT the convention.
The amendment Of Mr.. Grubb was lost by
a tie vote.
As the vote on the resolution Of Mr.. Spru-
ance was about TO be taken, Mr. Moore OF
Georgetown came into the room.
"What Is the question - he asked.
ITO only have such matters as we desire
published made public" some one said.
81 am In favor Of having everything
public. favor full reports" said the ex-
attorney general looking encouragingly at
the reporters. ~ vote no."
The resolution was carried, and the re-
porters Withdrew
During the discussion the members Of the
bar, who afterwards voted for Mr.. Sruance'i
motion, showed an utter ignorance Of jour
nalislic honor, and lack Of faith in the re
pOrters, many Of them seeming 10 think thai
If the reporters remained IN, even alter thC
pledge Of secrecy had been forced, theJ
would not be governed by It..
At 2 o'clock nothing Of definite nature
had been done BY the convention.