The morning news., 1889-05-09
.LAWYERSIN CONVENTION
TIE GEORGIA BAR ASSOCIATIONS
ANNUAL MEETING.

on Jur1Spruu0nC0 anu LEW REFORM
Presents an Interesting Report
Eon. Walter B. BnPs Paper on
Federal Legislation-Only Part of the
committees Able to Report-The Bar
association Spends the Afternoon at
Tybee.
The annual session of the Georgia Bar
Association began yesterday morning at
Masonic Temple. President Marshall J.
Clarke of Atlanta called the meeting to
order at 10 o'clock and it was in session
until o'clock.
Among the members Of the bar present
were Chief Justice Bleckley of the Supreme
court, Associate Justice T. j, Simmons,
Judge W. r. Hammond, julius L. Brown
and Robert J. L, Rogers of Atlanta;
Walter B. Hill, A. o. Bacon,
Washington. Dessau and C. L. Bart
lett of Macon: William II. Fleming,
and Thomas Barrett, Jr., of Au-
pusta: J. w. Aiken of Cartersville,
Secretary of the association; M. NJ.
Sessions of Marietta, Alexander Jones of
Townsville. Richard Hobbs of Albany,
ard L. A. Wilson of Waycross. The Sa-
VdlQd0 DdI was OuuS0
ngant and Ex-Judge Adams, Senator du-
B gnon. Col. George A. Mercer, j. r. Saus-
sy, II. C. Cunningham, A. r. Lawton, Jr.,
A. H. MacDonell, NJ A. O'Byrne, A. Minis,
Jr.. T. D. Rockwell, J. r. Saussy, Jr., Hon.
R. E. Lester, Col. William Gerard, w. r.
Leaken. and Robert G. Erwin. n. C. Col
ler. formerly of Savannah, now Of New
Mexico, was also present.
JUDGE CLARKE's ADDRESS
After the minutes had been read, Presi-
dant Clarke delivered his annual ad-
dress on 1.-THE Judicial Character" ="
1t was a logical effort, enbel-
lished with an experience which is
the result of long years on the bench. The
speaker explained what is the judges work,
and what should be the manners and de-
meanor Of Judge in his official character
before the public. They should be simple,
he said, and dignified, and inclined to
gravity. 1t does not become him to in
dulge in any needless display of authority,
or to assume any ostentation of denortment.
~ would certainly not recommend Judge
to assume that look of wisdom" :"
he said, (which exposed Lord Thur
low to the criticism that he
was necessarily hypocrite, because
no man could ever be as wise as he looked"
The judges time when presiding over a
court, he said, should be chiefly occupied in
listening, observing, renacting He should
be a first-class business man. A large por-
ton of the work of a circuit court is but
business, and the lack of due preparation of
it in the lawyer often appears in the judge.
A thorough knowledge Of the law is indis-
pensable and indeed necessary.
WHAT A JUDGE SHOULD NOT BE.
The Judge should not be irrevocably
welded to particular views, right or wrong
4 judge is so apt, in the Indulgence of his
selt-l9ve, to think that somehow or other
he is right because he is a Judge A man
will admit that his physical s4nses-the
truest means of intelligence-nav have de-
ceiyed him; that he didn't hear what he
thought he beard; that he did not feel what
he thought he felt; that he did not see what
he thought he saw; bur he will well nigh go
TO the stake and be burned before he will
admit that he did not think a thought which
he thought he thought. A judge must dis
criminate between the sound in argument
and the sophistry.
The speaker went on to show what is nee
essary for tBe thorough information OF a
jurist. One source of information Is pri-
vate study. The judge mastered by all
these sentiments viii find in it perennial
stimulus to duty. He will search deeply
for the law as the most authoritative ex-
preston of humane Justice To the argu-
meAts of his brethren at the bar no will
listen patiently and with Difference. When
sucn judge settles we'll in himself what is
justice as declared in humane law, he
bravely asserts his judgment, irresponsive
to the voice OF frienship and unawed by the
l0udest tunult of the people. 1t was in
this frame that the great Warner, when at
the end Of a revolution which, sublime
In nature but calamitous in fortune,
had disturbed the foundations of legal
rlgnts, he stood like shaft Of granite amid
The surging of public opinion, and solemnly
affirmed after announcing some soundsr
doctrines Of purer period, that if every
man, woman and child in Georgia were
crying around the capital he would abide
by his convictions.
THE ASSOCIATIONS FUNDS.
Following the address of the president
came the report of Treasurer Samuel Bar
nett Of Macon. The balance on hand at
the last meeting was 81, ,423 50. The cash
received during the year was Sl75. maxi 2
total of 81, SOB 80. The expenses were
$iG1 2s.
Chairman Meldrim, of the executive COM
mice, was absent on account of sickness,
ana M. A. OByrne, ESQ, represented hi n
IN the meeting. The following names we're
presented before the meeting and were en-
rolled as members: M. A. O'Byrne, j. s.
s,C;lley' William Garrard, A. H. MacDonell.
Alexander Myers, William Clifton, w.
W W. Fraser, I. D. Rockwell, w. @. Charlton,
W W: Mackall and w. X. Leaken of Sa-
yannah, Supreme Court Judge T. j. Sim
iuons 0i Atlanta. Richard Hobbs of Albany,
~ =. a. llson Of Waycross. and Moultrie NJ.
sessions of Marietta.
REFORM IN tt NTpn
>, Jullus l.. Brown Of Atlanta, chairman of
Icon, rls committee on Jurisprudence and law
,,SI,.oTIh, presented an interesting report
IL mas long been principle Of equity and
n AW'' he said, that equality is justice. >
VERY person should be equal before the
S, ,s"o' he should be subjected to its bur-
~. sN ana he should be entitled to its bene-
,afi a OpCn the statute books, the speaker
da. qa,u' are laws providing penalties for muir
&c. out the fact that they are there does
encourage murder, or make every
.a Lau murderer. Laws should be
,ta1. 1'e. al and universal in their application
t apsaker said, and no law shoud be on
o'oalute books or exist in Georgia which
,.verIi loI Apply equally and impartially upon
10y cluzen OF the state, wheneyer IL i.
ttps'cat le. More than fonr-ffths Of the
rs.' -'e vi the legislature is taken up ia the
pase oi special laws aud charters. Nc
t.e m "a ueorgla can 60 into anv county and
sure that he VIII fiud the same law,
hi, "hich he nas for his government al
is-9 V"h nome. The legislature for 1878 and
y passed laws which are contained IA a
bI,lis. b,ullis OF Al pages OF these, those con.
sr5 iel ~ 800 pages are confessedly local
" are many Of tie Others.
WHAT KEEPS LAw-MAKERs BUSY.
Inc following table shoycs how many