The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-01-05
The BAR ASSOCIATION.
Interesting and Busy Session in the
Supreme Court Chamber
Last Night
President Cullen on the Code to Be
Presented to the Legisla-
ture.
John #. Forbis, Of Butte, II Elected Prest-
dent for tho Ensuing Year
Some Changes.

The Montana Bar association held Au in
teresting annual session in the supreme
SQUIRT room at tho court house last night.
The chief feature of the evening was the
address Of the outgoing president, Hon. w.
T. Cullen. Parts Of his address are given.
He said: II would like to see the Montana
Bar association something more than a
mere name-something moro than a mere
eorporal'a guard OF the members OF our pro-
fession meeting together In q pe%rfunctory
sort of = way once or twice a year and trans
acting a little routine business. We are
not doing the great work for society, for
civilization, and for the interests Of this
great state. which tho hour and occasion
demand ut our hands. I do not say that
thu Montana Bar association is q failure.
Far from il. II il has done nothing else
1t has brought to public attention the ad-
vantages and the necessity Of a complete,
thorough and systematic codification Of
our laws, and this ! hold to be q
sufficient justification for its exist
snce. Not only this, but when the
work of tho code commission shall be
permanently written upon our statute
books, amended and perfected by tho labors
Of committees OF this society charged with
that work, I hold that it will be a drowning
glory to the jealous few of you, who have in
the society, and through the society,
labored for this desirable contamination.
II cannot therefore be said that the Mon
tana Bar association has accomplished
nothing, but We still must regretfully ad-
nit that it has not accomplished all that i
should have done. and in times past has
- 49, ~ zAn~k RnnkD~ -, Ahr ,>,hIs~
welfare which it should have been. As
have already said if we succeed in having
adopted in this promising young state a
code Of laws wisely suited to the wants and
necessities of its people. calculated to pro-
mote their industries. and secure them In
the enjoyment of those liberties essential to
their greatness and prosperity. the associa-
ton has done much to entitle it to the
grateful respect of all classes Of our fellow
citizens.
There are other matters of vital import
ance to the profession. and to the great
state Of Montana, which l might mention,
time permitting, where the bar association
could render most acceptable service. The
channels through which a we'll equipped
and we'll organized bar association could
make itself felt and render needed and &C
ceptable services to the profession and the
public are innumerable. The question of
the hour is. will they do it? Will the law
yers throughout the state take hold of this
matter. and make of this association the
ought to be. OF will they, through apathy
and indifference suffer IL TO drop into a
comatose condition of innoouous desuetude.
Parenthetioslly. Mr.. Cullen said he was in
favor Of eleoting United States senator's by
the people.
The following officers were elected for
the ensuing year: John f. Forbis. OF
Butte. president; A. Fl. Nelson. of Helena,
secretary; treasurer, r. G. Davies. of
Helena; vice presidents. T. E. Crucher, of
Helena, first judicial district; second, g.
w. Stspleton, of Butte; third, no appoint
soula; fifth. A. Il. ButleiRh. of Dillon;
sixth, 3. Q. Day, Of Livingston; seventh,
o. +. Goddard, Of Billings; eighth. L. E.
Brady. of Great Falls; ninth, L. A. Luce,
Bozeman; tenth. r. Won Tobel, Jr., Lewis
ton. The executive committee is COM
posed of the vice presidents n the secre-
tary and treasurer.
Secretary Nelson stated that he had Sc
cured the CO. operation of the bar ~assooia-
lions of Oregon and Washington and the
attorneys of Idaho to induce the United
States circuit court of appeals to hold two
terms each year at Portland.
Treasurer Davies reported a balance on
hand Of $67O.99.
The following amendments to the consti-
tuition and bylaws were adopted: ALI Of
fcers to be eligible to reelection; yearly
dues reduced from S. to 81; annual meet
ings to be held on the second Tuesday in
January at 1880 p. NJ. and semi-annual
eight p. m. in the supreme court room or
other appropriate place, notices of meet
ings to be given in writing a week befo e;
to require no bond of the treasurer and
providing for deposit of funds in a bank
with a system of countersigning checks.
Th0 nm r Ao~rkn tark ~-~-
mer on the various proposed codes are re-
quested to report to Secretary Nelson, who
will refer them to the judiciary committees
of the senate and house.
A resolution thanking the outgoing presi-
dent for his faithful, able and valuable
services during the year, was adopted to
which he modestly replied.