New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-09
PROF. DWIGHT And MR. FIELD AT ODDS:
HOT WORDS AND PERSONAL ALLUsIoNs CALtEDoOI
BY THE CIVIL CODE QUESTION.

HOT WORDS AND PERSONAL ALLUsIoNS CALLED OUT
BY THE CIVIL CODE QUESTION.
II is many years since the Bar Association
has had such lively meeting as was hed lase evening.
The occasion was the discussion over the fleiu
Civil Code At the last meeting David Dudley
Field presented resolutions to make that subject tie
specal order for last evening. Both sides marshaed
their forces full numbers and no larger gathering ever
crowded into the big hall OF the association some OF
the most prominent lawyers OF the CITY "ero
there Mr. Field surrounded Dy NOISY
group of his disciples. His opponents were
scattered through the ROOM James G. Carter. one OF
the most active opponents of the Civil Code was IL the
Albert Matthews, chairman OF the committees ap
their work before the the Lgs'iatnr0 vsaT ani
to discuss the question OF tGe % aaop'
mtee and to approve its report tie said that oue-ha
Of the report was absolutely false. He had never
heard an objection to tie civil code tnat was
not utterly frivolous. daughter. Mr. Field then made
"A personal reference Professor Dwights decision IN
Ger case and when the Professor asked where tha
decision was to found Mr.. Field answered by sneer
allusion to the Mare-GarrIson reference thaI was
Professor Dwight answered this allusion to himself
Ie said that the codiher lr Flod went out OF once
Mr. Field identified himself with the code the prnc
pie Of Love me; love my dog In all his opposio11
TO the Civil Code he had never made single persona
attack upon Mr.. Field. but the latter latter eiaa haa
made most ungenerous ana nnProTo,Wgr M W EiId YahY
at him He had made no personal attack on MI rieiu' %
but the latter had vulnerable Achilles heel anu ho
personal attacks continued he (ne tTOtSso'J ""u 10
prepared "Shal we be quits or no !" ASKED the Iro
lessor in conclusion and then the ardent young lawyers
who had recently come out from under the
instruction pounded their hands with their ehthu
iastic applause :, . ,od ~ 81,
Mr. Field tried reply. but when IL was found that
personalities to follow great confusion HroSe
This gave Mr.. Field occasion to dehouhee tne
| association for what ho termed the at
tempt to choke OFT discussion. Finally atter
several excited speakers had had the floor and loudly
debated cOdicatOn. Mr.. Field was permitted 10 make
his personal xplanatOn" lie SAID: ., -,
"Te Professor has been the most abusive Opponent %.
the Civil Code. When he talks about the Vu,hertor
Achille. heel answer the challenge ana say
am ready to meet him anywhere and at any time liner
Mr. Field went to show how well the Cly Code nah
Oueratel I'm California asid that only hVe hmenu
ments had been made In eight years. lie was qu',hS
answered By Mr.. Matthews, who began 10 rehd Oh
long ll-t OF amendments that made at the peg-
ming OF 1850 a. n sample final vote on the adoption
Of the resolution taken, 1t being uhder.tool ai
tnose who voted I'm favor u the resolution were opposed
codcatiOn ana TIA ise Ia the negative were IN l'oI
the code The resolution carried Dy vote Oh .
10 % This was considered "a complete triumph Tor the
opponents OF the code The special order for tne even
lug laid on the table. IL was sltet uuiSn' VIM"
the association adjourned.