Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-12

3 magic mirror We see reflected DO, only our
own lives but the lives OF all men that have
been. II ~e ~ere 10 speak Of the law as
| Our mistress she Is a mistress only 20 be
moved with sustained and lonely passion
only to be ~on BY training all the faculties
| by which man is likest TO God.
| The speaker gave glowing description of
| the love for lax that becomes more ardent
With every new insight When | think of
the la~ as We know her in the court house
and the market, she seems to me a woman
sitting BY the wsyside beneath whose DER
shado~iug hood ever man shall see the
eouutenanee of his deserts or needs
The fifth toast was The Somerset Bar"
In response Hon Stanley Plummer Of Skow-
hegan called and that portion Of the
Maine bar he represented received ample
justice al his hands.
The toast, The Kennebec Bar" was res
ponded TO by Hon. j. W Bradbury.
Mr. Bradbury rose in response. his
form erect and his face plainly showing
the keen pleasure of being present on this
occasion, given in honor of that profession
TO which through long and brilliant career
Mr. Bradbury has been enthusiastically de-
voted. HE response of which we give an
abstract held the closest attention of those
present. Ii WAS compact with interesting
historical incidents and learning acquired
through long experience and extensive ac-
quaintance. Mr.. Bradbury said Mr..
Toastnaster and y u lemen. came here TO-
night contrary 10 my usual custom, to shoE
my appreciation of the legal profession aud
my interest in the kennebec bar with which
| was connected fo- so many years. | came
10 Augusta in April, 1880 The first court
attended was the May term of the law court
in that year Ii was held by Chief Justice
Nellen and Justices Webster and Paris
At that time the hennebec bar was very
strong in the profession, and among the
members were a large number of very dis
ungulshed lawyers. OF these Mr. Bradbury
mentioned Boutelle of Wsteryile. Ruel
Williams. Peley Sprague, Geo. Evans, Fred
eriek Allen and others. lie then drew vivid
sketches OF the men with whom he tried
cases, and OF their characteristics snd man
ner of presenting their cases The speaker
also alluded to the addition OF distinguished
members to the bar after that early time
though h. did this without speaking of any
now living, his remarks being confined to those
who have passed away Mr.. Bradbury's
closing remarks regarding the dignity of the
coming from his lips. 1--WE owe to
crty and the blessings of civilized society. !
But iaw must be justly administered to ac-
complish its purpose To secure this not
only learned and upright judges but an able
ami honorable bar is essential. Causes of
the feeble poor as well as those of the
strong and rich must be prepared and pre-
sented. the facts collected and arranged and
the principles of law considered and discussed
10 order to a ust decision. Here is the field
for the baf II sid the court in administering
justice between man and man. and between
the : ate ard those charged with violating
its laws--to maintain the authority Of law
that projects society against violence an
archy aud htrbarism.
Lawyer. in the Legislature"
Hol II VI Heath responded, answering
at some length an editorial in the Daily Ken
N bee Journal, 10 the effect that lawyers by
intrigue forced their way into the legislature,
there 10 pu.h through laws to cover special
cases and calc late 10 so obscure the law
as to promote litigation lie said the vet
eran editor Of the Journal could not seriously
mean what lie said. All history is against it.
That We havs too much legislation is true
That We 10 not have more is due to the con
seryati-m of lawyers in the Legislature Leg
is s'ators tiud their hardest work in preventing
itglslauOu l ne teachings and trailing OF
the profession are all against changes in the
Law. rhe law seeks certainty Its natural
tendencies oppose change. The last iegsl,-
ture passed ld3 public laws; of these but 90
were originated by lawyers, and most of
these suggested by decisions of the court as
ne del to remove Obscurity. In 1887, out of
l5p public laws but % were orgIna ed by
lawyers This rule would hold good at about
every session. He hsd Vet to learn of a single
act pissed during the lasttrn years intended by
its mover 20 promote litigation. Such an i'm
putstlan brands the profession with gross
dishonesty. The lawyer ia the legislature
has the public for his client He forget.
himself His sole ambition is to serve his
client faithfully. Fidelity to his clients,
that marks his daily work. characterzes his
work as a legislator. profession that has
given to the country an Evans, the gr sates st
statesman Maine has ever seen, Fessenlen.
grand in his matchless courage, Morrill,. the
incorrup.ible, and Hamiu, half a century in
politics without the smell of fire upon his
garments, may well glory in its record of
honest public service. That lawyers some
times intrigue their way into power is true.
They have simply caught the spirit Of the
times and followed the brilliant examples of
Macchavellian politics furnish d them by
modern journa lists Once in power they re-
member the ethics of a glorious profession
that has ever served the public with an eye
single to the public veal.