New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-08-19
LEGAL LIGHTS IN COUNCIL
NINTH SESSION OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT WILLIAM ALLEN BUrIRR-.


| hundred and nfiy members we're present. Jua1. pa.
land, OF Vermont, called the convention 10 order and IN,
troduced President william Alicia Butler who spoke in
part AS follows:
The eighth article OF constitution proyla.s thai
the resident shall open each annual meeting Win an
worSy ne 'nn n a ne most nole
est made ~ tue several states anu by Congress durns
ular legislative sessions have been held in ioarte.S
states-Connecticut. Georgia, Iowa. koDtgeky, Mary.
SswJersey SewYor1. osios RBsio isaas. sSn,s
Carolina and virginia, ana special session OF the Legs
that the legislatures OF less than OF the states
have been convened THIS year due To the very general
sessons are held now only ia about one-tnird OF tho
States.
careful scrutiny Of the legislation going on annual,
or blennialy IN the several states brings special
portion between the number OF bills introduced into
tho legislatures and the number which become laws
showing now largely the sessions occupied with at
tempts nj unnecessary OF impracteab'e legislation;
ana second the equally great dIspropOrtion be-
teress and those which are or gslers public concern.
The Legislature of South Carolina last session con-
hded 10 Joint committee OF both houses the cOnsd-
Grafton OF the possible reduction and Limitation OF the
number OF subjects Of legislation and OF cxpe.iting no
legislative business. A bill passed. As far.
reaching that reported by tho committee. OuG con-
tanning serviceabe provisions against hasty and III.
advised legislative action. n the example thus set ~
south Carolina followed by other states greatly
needed reform would be set IN motion.
Tie care protection aud training or children no.
ticeable features OF the legislation OF several OF
States. Noteworthy legislation concerning women AM
the domestic relations is comprised IN few
In legislation intended TO protect the public aeah
safety numerous laws appear on the state statute books
OF this year. establishing rules which becoming quito
common as subject: OF statutory police regulation sew
era OF the states have dealt win the subject oI tho
traffic in intoxicating liquors. All OF them
cur In the necessity OF more rigorous
eide In the methods or rcgu alton. Public opinion
this subjcct nowhere clearly reflected than Ia
the widely varying attachments by which tae police
powe is brought To bear with differing degrees Of forcs
upon this eyerpresent evil In the legislation on this
subject dnds place the books, II
the acts Indicate settled policy OF prohibition, while
Others are merely tentative.
In Iowa existing prohbltory law. OF tho most
sweeping IN Us PROVISIONS OF nny wnlch has been
an amenda'ory ststnte specially intended 10
make the law more certain OF enforcement IN the pre-
yrntion Illegal shipment carriage ofintOxcatina
liquors. and Ia the detection and punishment OF cOnriv
snces Tor evsInG u. provsons IN Georgia and Ma.
the enactment OF local option" laws authorizing the
popular suffrage In saryIand, local option is provided
for IN respect 10 sovera counties and local ndnclpa-
ties, and IN otter places regulated by special act No
where is the struggle between experimental legislation
against tie evils Of ntempsrance aud the irrepressoe
liquors more active than IN tho state OF OHIO Al ths
last session law was passed ievymg direct
defeat which, the last resort IT'S opponents in tho
absented themselves from the hls OF legislation
and left the body OF which they were members without
quorum. The act was however passed and approved
Ohio Rhode Island, by for suppress
Of mtemperance. which took effect on the LIST day
ofJuly 1856, prohibits IN tlo most sweeping ernstne
manufacture sale. except Tor artistic mechanical or
medicinal purposes. aud then under stringent reeua.
Kindred IN their nature TO tue laws Aimed at the vics
i IN an eseao anu paDe Sentiment as 70 the Sss
methods Of It's gradual repression, aro the pro-
visions In the statutes OF Connecticut and Iowa. requr-
ing that instruction In physiology and hygiene relating
specially to The effects the human system OF alcoholic
aIors shall DO taught As brauc OF study IN the pup
o schools whose teachers must he examined To ther
qualifications TO give such instruction. CongIess has
also provided by a similar act that the special IN
struc.on shall be included IN branches OF study in
the and public schools Ia the TerritOiie. ami IN
schools, and taught by the usc OF textbooks as Thor
oughly and in the same manner other Ike required
branches taught in such schools
Labor legislation has received a ne Impulse from the
disturbances IN railroad and other industries set on foot
osenslbyin theInerest Of the workn2 people but IN
society. s.a,ntes of Connecticut Iowa, Kan
sas, Ncw-York ant OF Congress provide for
between employer employed, jurs Ilction do
pending. OF course, upon tho voluntary acton OF bon
parties. method unknown and allen 10 the common
ar once If the Ango.s1xon Mission Tor rene sl egisi
own extinction. Legislation on labor OF a more prdc.
Teal Character is found in statute of Massashrsets
providing weekly payment of bs corpora
lions; another. OF Rhode ISLAND. requiring Ike notice
OF intention the part OF an employer TO discharge
an employee. the employer required Of tbs
employe in respect to al Intention to quit work, as
condition IN either case OF forfeiture OK wages The ln-
erneddng BY strikers with otner aborefs IS prohb.
tied in New-IIampsbre by very stringent law AMI 10
he catalogue OF offences added the speaking OF Oien
sve dcrslve words addressedto any person passing
occupation. or the making any noise or exclamation
In the presence or bearing Of sGca person so gas'n
y
to prevent hin FROM pursuing ani engaging IA his law
In the subjects with which legislation in respect to
trade has occupied ITSELF oleomargerne oartnks tho
rest 1t has given new word to our vocabulary pew
OF constitutional law to the courts while to eg,a
tors Of our agricultural States IL has in the sphere OF
statutory regulation opened fresh fields and pastures
new" New-York at the last session enacted statute
which prohibits, under neayy penalties the sale under
tho namo OF butter and cheese. OF any substance or
article not the product OF IN liulterated mix
ONO, Mary aud. New Hampshire. Eew-Jersey and Iowa
have passed acts In the same direction dssnllr IN their
terms from each other aud from tue New-forx
egss alton, caIed for by an eEigency ar,i1s IN P.rs
aud IN part from the insrscablc passion Of fallen
human nature to palm on as genuine article its cuu'
ton OF the diversified methods OF our State Legislatures
which, while aiming at single well-ascertancd and
dealt with IN every state by statutes almost "ehtcal IN
their terms and provisions instead OF .eeAnt for STINT
instances blinaly, but with Eind OF con'entane-
IN NswWorf noswor,nr charge in the aepSrtmrHt Of
legal rights and procedure Is the amelorstOn 81 The law
months the extreme period OF confinement IN tho
iebtors il or within the JAIL liberties.
ton to the pubic interests compared with the long
period Of ITS session. nave boon made the subject Of that
general criticism and condemnation on the part % TAO
press the public by which they content themselves
with amusing what they consider abuses. But as men,
lers OF the American Bar we have our special ana pr
cuar ground Of censnre IN respect TO n"glcc or
'res, To remedy evils Ia judicial administration when arg
no most serious consequence In the face OF an I'M
demand provision Tor the rcliet OF mo
supreme Court OF the United States Tor the burden l-
lOsed upon II by the condition OF its docket, ConS"s
las tione nothing whatever TO meet the emergency
II may be permitted to express Individual opinion.
take leave to that In my judgment the two thugs
needed public interest IN the matter
II legal and Judicial procedure are the ncroise OF me
number OF United States Circuit Court judges. Win
proper provision for appellate courts and the assnilt
methods OF procedure Ia the State cpnrts %
hose OF the Federal courts In the practical aDooho Ok
ami practice motions. and the emitting up
ami branch Of the sbnse OF the extraordinary RENE
dies Injunction aud other provisional wrs or orders
" exIedItug and determination OF the main
ssuc
Among the lawyers present arc Judge Samuel Blat'h-
ord. tho United states Supreme Court Judge bene-
tho United States Circuit Court exJudees Johnr'
Dillon, Luke y. Poaud, aud Charles A. Peabody, ana
Iessrs william A. Butler. $. p. NASH David Dudley
'eld Thomas f. Bayne. A. j. Keasby. Rufus King, H.