Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-09
The Bar Association Argues the
Merits of an Elaborate Menu in
the Hotel DuqueSne,
AT ITS THIRD ANNUAL BANQUET.
A Feast of Good Things Followed by Flow
of Better, in the Shape of .ElO-
quence and Wit
ToASTS By SOME PROMINENT LAWYERS.
No Simple Words at the Mrthful Board to Mako Them
Sad This Morning


including all that is good for man physi-
cally, but when the second part was ushered
on it transpired that the more palatable
morseis were kept in the background-wit,
sound learning and jovial good humor. The
former was served while enchanting music
greeted the ear, but the latter needed no
music to add to its pleasure, for it was in
deed music itself.
As the long column of legal learning
marched-not silently-down the stairway
and through the corridors of the hotel to the
banquet hall, every manner of lawyer ap-
peared. Every" is said guardedly, be-
cause men of the law say there are no dis
honest lawyers. There, in the front rank.
was to be found the smiling. kindly face OF
Judge Over, while at his side strobe the tall
and gallant S. A. McClung. Following
came old lawyers and young lawyers, able
judges and those who have faced them in
many hard-fought case, young men yet in
their legal infancy, and others on whom the
cares of many a struggle have left their
mark, though those same cases have brought
honors deserved, and they have been given
unstintingly.
Triumphal March to Supper.
The march proceeded at slow and easy
pace, and when the advance column entered
the supper room and were being ushered to
positions around the banquet tables, the
rear guard rested on the stairway. But
there was room for all and ere long the last
man had taken his place, and all stood with
bowed head while the Giver OF all Good was
asked TO bless this gathering and the work
for which those present have been called.
Still, few places were vacant and it was
seen that some were absent, unavoidably so,
beyond doubt. But one BY one they came
struggling in until every place was filled.
beyond doubt give reprimand, if neces-
sary, 10 struggling counsel in case called,
but his greeting was entirely different. The
applause with which Judge Stowe was re-
ceived was near unto an ovation, and he was
royalty ushered by committee to a place of
honor.
Thus it would appear that it is better to be
late than never, for while he did not miss
any of the other good things, he received in
addition a good share OF applause, showing
in what appreciation he is held by the men,
bers of the bar.
Closely following the Judge, City Attorney
w. c. Moreland was ushered in, and as he
walked to the place reserved for him he
was greeted with huzzas of applause and
shouts, 10 say nothing of kindly bits of
advice on the subject of Supreme Court de-
cisions on important cases in which the city
might or might not be interested.
Preparation for the Feast to Come.
The banquet was replete with points. 1t
started out with Blue Points and rounded
up at the close with witty points, points
satirical and otherwise. As the courses of the
dinner appeared the majority. caring not for
what might happen, LETT the dress SUITS to the
mercy OF the soup, but here and there could be
found a man who cared less for the napkin and
more tor the soup.
Down through the list of delicately seasoned
viands, the game and the SALADS to the coffee,
the good reasoners delved with apparent relish.
The quail whi :h the Judges only recently de-
cided could be eaten in peace, took place of
high honor on account of this kind of remem-
braDce by the Judges of the Supreme Court
Its prominence at the lawyers banquet shows
how fully the attorneys concur in the opinions
handed down.
Time few rapidly, and at last the coffee was
placed before the jurists, though they could
not be said to have before refused to slake
their several thirsts. Good meat must be
washed down with good drink. and the latter
was enjoyed by copious draughts from the
huge punch bowl in the corner. But
as the coffee appeared the supply of
fragrant Havanas was renewed, and
all settled down to the keen enjoyment
that was promised in the Abstract of pro-
day. January s. 1891; Lewis McMullen, W. K.
Shiras. Edwin u. Smith, Edwin w. Smith,
John d. Shafer, Executive Committee" That
there was the richest of pleasures to come was
apparent when the Toastmaster, P. &. Knox,
raped the assemblace to order. The pro-
gramme says at its head:
No simple WORD
That shall be uttered II our mirthful board
Shall make US sad next morning.
BEN JoNsoS.
Paving's Constitutionality Questioned.
Slightly changing the quotation from George
Mcdonald, Where McGregor SITS, there is the
head of the table, Mr.. Knox declared:
Where the greatest sits there is the head of
the table. Instead of claim ing that honor
may lay claim to Dennis that other extreme
The task of POSTMASTER is made easy by the
paving up to it, and that paving is constitu-
tional; that is, II any paving can be constitu-
tional."
To the toast 1.-THE Association" s. A. Nc.
Chung was called upon to respond and he took
advantage of the liberty allowed after-dinner
speakers, of travelling all around his subject be-
fore making the final and mastery attack.
ave are here for the purpose of enjoying our.
selves" SAID the barrister, among other things.
I'VE are not here to inflict long-winded
speeches. This has been intimated by the CON-
mittee. and it was doubtless for that reason
that the punch was so much diluted.
I'VE make no distinction tonight We even
admit the Judiciaries on an equality with US
and as members of the bar-whether they be
learned or not. am sorry there are no more
of them here. They are part of us, for the
present, at least. We are all ministers in the
same temple of justice, priests before the same
altar. 1t is tru, we are sometimes called upon
to recognize the figure of Abraham on the
mount raising the sacrhcial knife to his own
offspring. For all that, this is time of good
feeling and l am not disposed to call up man IS
faults.
But have something to say on the subject.
business of boy or girl is to develop the con-
stitution, and the education is matter of little
account.
Past and Future of the Association.
''The Bar Association has had a glorious
past but more glorious future is due to it.
For this it must have an organization, a
corporate existence. There is nothing more
valuable in obtaining this end than these
picnic. This banquet is not a matter OF little
Importance. we must develop power to
elevate the bar. We do not exist to punish
crime. but TO prevent il"
In closing the speaker received an ovation
He rose TO the height OF his mastery oratory
and by a mere thought of the court room, he
exclaimed. Il say, gentlemen of the jrryr'
This caused a roar that even the deep cardinal
bushes that reached clear to the rear collar
button worn by the speaker could but in
tensify.
THE Call of the List" was put into the keep
inp of Clarence Rurleirh ..The calling of ar v