The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-20
THE LAWS FUNNY SIDE.
Address of Walter Gregory Before the
Atlanta Bar Association.

pardonable sin is for man TO talk toe
long, even when preaching ser
sermon or delivering an address before
bar association.
Many people think there is no fun abou
law. There is no fun about transgressinq
law OF any kind-natural, moral or statu
tory. But those who violate law are the
only ones who need ever fear it. We who
practice law may enjoy it ii we will.
keen relish for all that is ludIcrous and
ridiculous about il, l, will tighten our
labor, lengthen our lives, and make us
stronger and better lawyers.
We all are creatures of habit, and IL is
just as easy TO cultivate the humorous
habit as the drinking habit or the smoking
habit. Just rs easy TO cultivate the smil-
ing habit as the snarling habit. Just rs
easy TO cultivate the joking habit MS the
growing habit Like DIR. Talmage, | say
'the man that makes me laugh is nv
beneiactor. God bless all those who
mirthiully surprise u.s. They slay iollies
and absurdities, which all the sermons OF
all the pulpits cannot reach"
The first time IL occurred 10 me there
might be grim humor about the law, was
IN reading Blackstone, When | came To
that headline, Infants, Idiots, Lunatics
and Married Women" II amused me 10
think what would become OF Sir William
il some of the married women of today
could punish him for chasing thom with
Infants, Idiots and Lunaics." II NAV
have been all right in his day, but in
these days they have much strength of
mind, indomitable will and great com.
mand of language.
We read in the old books: "The law
aiiirmeth plainly that II man beat an
outlaw, n pagan, his villain, or his wife il
n dlspunishable, because these persons
can have no action" But ii man thinks
they can have no action in these degener-
ate days, let him try il ON his wife. lie
will discover that ii is all action.
But seriously, for 10 some men II IL n
serious matter, the women have the floor
and j have been told that they also have
the last word.
Gentlemen, at these annual assemblies
OF the lawyers of Georgia, we talk great
deal, think little, relate our experiences
and tell jokes on each other. NV burmese
10 contribute little TO the general
hilarity.
"Nf ~ hhAh " TtNIlOn tuHu.
Wade Hampton told this ioko ON Gov
Zeb Vance: Vance was lisloniny IN tha
supreme court decide the first case he had
over appealed. The court was following
his argument and citing his authorities
almost word for word. Nancc's iHcc grew
radiant, and he was shaking hands with
the lawyers around him, when tho court
sald' For these reasons We affirm tho do
cision Of the court below" Vance wllted.
And, my friends, We have all been In his |
fix; We have all wiltcd.
And many OF us have had suits that m.
suited like the Dutchman's claim npainsi
The insurance company. He had been
damaged about $50 and the adjusters had
called TO adjust the loss. lie said 10 them.
shentlcmcns, don't pc 80 scarf for Won
hoon'rcd tollar; put down Won hoon'rd
Una my vie und shilrons faints. nut
sown won hoon red nnd iccity. IND We
~ stay oop all mite, put down two hoon.
'fcd lollat' The adjusters told him the
policy only covered actual damage. when
be said' Den WINS Won big TOOL 10 had
dot fire Ia mine house" There have
been times when each OF us has Thought
u was Won big fool 90 had dot lawsuith
My brethren, II You wish lo smile whom
ever you hear q judge 10 over and over
the same thing every time hc chnrred a
Jury, just recall this reported case In Ar
kansas. The suit was brought by Smith
against Jones, upon n prommiss1ry note
given Tor horse. Jones defense vas n
failure OF consideration. lie claimed that
~ the time Of the purchase the horse had
the CHAMBERS, Of which II died, and that
Smith know IL ut the time ho sodit. Smith
replied that tho horse did not have the
glanders, hut had the dislcmpor, aud that
Jones knew u when ho bought II. The
judge charged the jury ~ follows
Gentlemen Of the Jury, pay attention
10 the charge Of tho court. You have al.
ready made ono mistrial Of this case be-
cause yoI did not pay attention TO the
charge OF the court and | don't intend
that YOU shall do u again. shall mako IL
~ clear Ia you this timo that you cannot
possibly make a mistake. This suit isupop
anotv given for horse. Now | hope Won
understand that II YOU find that at the
time Of the sale Smith hal the rlanIer,
and Jones knew Il, then Jones cannot rr.
cover. That II very clear Hut / will
state Il again. II you find that at tho time
OF the sale Jones had the dislcmper. aud
Smith knew Il, then Smith cannot recover.
Nov that Is ~cfy clear, gentlemen of the
Jury but will repeat Il, ~ as 90 avoid
all possibility VI mistake, II you find that
n the Time OF the sale smith had the
glandcfs, and Jones know Il, and Jones
had the disicmpcr, aud Smith knew n.
then neither Smith nor Jones can recover
Now, gentlemen, these propositions arr
exceedingly clear. Retire, aud make az
your vcrdIct"
My brethren, you have all heard the
statement II the court Hlenographcr. that
ni the end Of each DAVIS work his hand feit
me y bad been dipped IN concentrated
Ne Now, say the public should under.
Stand that W. arc not as big rascals ns out
clients are, The public must not ior,ri
That the sicnosHphrf rvcorls nothin, I'M
The proof, aud that Out clients furnish IA.
concentrated lic.
One Of the ahiCsi lawyers | ever know
lold me that when client uskpd linn N
ne could gain hiH case, hp invariably To-
piled. MY friend, your case will either
gain or lose ITSELF an that any laN,rr
ran do 3 10 present it la o. strongest lrsal
inspect"
Gcnicmcn. We practice noble prnfrs.
bon. Tic minister of tHc gospel rirrs ion
rouls, tho doctor l1r bodies, AMI the law.
Yer iOr homes, hu.I.s aud rrruiAiiuu.
There are unworthy mon in each prui,s.
ZION. Men, Who ID they bad been mrf.
chants, would have put sAnd "a their Al.
gar. beans Ia their coffee and water In
their whisky. Nov pause aud take q look
NJ your profession, sno wherein ii b. going
up and wherein II b. going down Them
arc hopeful signs and discouragiug signs
In the life OF great lawyer, bis bioguphcf