Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-07

The announcement of the annual meeting
Of the Georgia Bar Association at Atlanta on
the 18th and 14th instant, the programme of
which appears in another column, shows that
the bar of the State have adopted the prevail
ing idea that an organization among men pur-
suing any line Of business will be mutually
helpful, and promote the welfare of its mem
bers and the interests of their vocation. Ag
riculturists, editors, business men OF every
sort have long since acted upon this policy.
SO far from being unexpected, the only Won
der is that at the meeting for organization OF
the Bar Association, Gen. Lawton should
have been able to say las he Is
reported in the proceedings for organization to
have said that "it had come to his knowledge
as President of the American Bar Association
that Georgia was the only one of the original
thirteen States, and one of the few States in
the union, which was without such an organ
izatiOn."
Among the members of the Savannah bar
who are connected officially with the associ-
alton are George A. Mercer, Vice President;
a. II. LawtOn, Chairman, and w. S. CHS
holm and S. b. Adams, members of the lead
ing Committee on Jurisprudence and Law
Reform.
The American Bar Association has been in
prosperous operation for the past six years.
Georgia lawyers have been active in it and
have been honOred by the highest trusts
within its gift. Outside of its social features,
aud that line of work which may
be supposed to have been inspired by
the seIf-interest of the profession in
raising the standard for admission to its
ranks. this national body is doing earnest
work in the cause of law reform. 1t has taken
hold of the subject of the relief Of the Su-
preme Court. The Justification of move
ment on the part of the non political lawyers
| in behalf of this subject is abundanty fur
| nished 10y the fact that although lawyers have
been in the majority of every Congress for the
| last ten years, they have suffered, without any
/ attempt at a remedy, the Supreme Court to
| remain hopelessly clogged with a docket
| which contains more cases than could be dis
| posed Of in ten years, even if there
were no new cases. The National
Association is also endeavOrlng gradually
| to bring about greater uniformity in the leg
islation of the several states on those subjects
which are mere matters of convention and do
not involve questions upon which the systems
| of the State laws viii differ on account of diff
| ferences in the character, condition and po-
| liticaI economy of their people. In the mode
| of executing dispositions. of taking acknOwl-
| edgments Of deeds, ETC., there is no reason
why the law of every State should not be the
same, thus avoiding the confusion now exist
ing from the fact that in every State they are
| diherent To carry out this purpose of Sc
| curing uniformity, it is obvious that Bar
Association in each State Is an Indispensable
auxiliary.
The scheme of the Georgia Association,
| Judged by its constitution, the duties imposed
| upon its standing committees, the nature OF
its 1rogramn1e for its annual meetings, is one
which must commend itself to every lawyer
and which will warrant the public in expect
| ing that the benefits of the organization will
| be felt in the administration of the law. Sub
| ects of highest Importance to the bar and the
public VIII be handled in its cOnvocatiOns;
| the addresses, essays, reports, and discussions
caused thereby viii be published and dis
tributed. Commanding and exercising these
means of influence, 1t is plain that the asso-
citation. if properly managed, will become
power in the State for good.