Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-02
American Bar Association.

~A'2C~f~~'aN
The MORNING NEWS has received a
copy OF the proceedings OF the American
Bar Association at its last annual meet
ing, in August, 1885. contained in an adj
| m irably printed volume Of 474 pages.
The addresses. papers read, and running
debates are OF the most interesting char
scjer, and convey a distinct impression
OF the very high intellectual and moral
standard of the legal profession as there
represented by its members from the At
lantic to the Pacific.
Intelligent readers OF all classes snd
callIngs will find in this volume abund-
ant food for thought and improvement,
especially in the presidents Address,"
by Gov. Stevenson of Kentucky, the
Annual Address" by George w. Riddle,
Esq, Of Philadelphia, and the very able
papers, on most interesting topics, read
by Mr.. Venable, OF Baltimore, NJ. Rawle,
OF Philadelphia, and Nr, Benton, of Min
nesota.
But the browning work Of the session
was the able and exhaustive report of
David Dudley Field on DELAY in judi
cial Administrations and the learned
and exciting discussion of it which fol-
lowed, participated in by so many promi-
nent men of the profession. The debate
took such turn. that the merits and de
merits OF Identification" seemed well
nigh 10 absorb all other questions bearing
upon these delays, with heir causes and
remedies. And that discussion has since
| provoked in the American Law Review
! ha- 50 In ,ta-r ,
| ticles, of very high order, and some OF
! them from very eminent men on the sub
| ject of mobilization"
This association is quite a new thing
and its rise and history are rather anomal-
Gus. A private circular signed by less
! than a dozen lawyers from different
! States, and sent only to those whom they
| selected to be their first assoc iates, called
together at Saratoga goOdly number OF
the better class of the profession in Au-
! gust, 1873, without advertisement of any
kind. They adopted a constitution,
organized the association, and made
preparation for their first business
! meeting in August. 1879, before even the
ever-vigilant reporter had been able to
! furnish a single paragraph as to their
plans or intentions. And yet it was not
then, and is not now, in any sense a
''secret society,"" The addresses and de-
bates are listened TO with great and in
creasing interest by an intelligent and
appreciative audience at every meeting.
The President of the ASSOCIATION is
changed every year, and well he may be,
for the character of the address which he
is required by the constitution to deliver
is such that few men would consent to per
form the duty two years in succession.
An interesting feature of the assOcia
ton is that it brings together the able
men of the profession and cOnfers honors
upon them without reference to any
prominence they may have achieved in
public or political lite, and the man whC
has apparently given exclusive attention
to his profession is afforded an opportu
nifty to measure his strength and attain
, ments with Judges OF the highest courts
Senators, Cabinet officers, etc, who ar,
included in the membership. Thus
more thorough appreciation oil
each other is established, without re
gard to previous relative nOtorety.
1t may be properly noted as a singular
result OF this opportunity to interminsl'
and measure strength with each other
that when the present administration
made its nominations for the four highes
missions abroad as recognized by law
two OF the number, the Minister to Eng
land, Mr.. Phelps, and the Minister Il
Russia, Gen. Lawton, had never held an!
high political office, but each Of them haC
then recently been President of the Ameri
can Bar Association. At that time Their,
had been but six Presidents IN all OF tn,
association.