The sun., 1894-01-17
ADLAI TO THE LAWYERS.
Mn. sTETENsoN IDDREssEs THE
STATE BAR lssOCIh IRON.


In Politics - President FIsro on sous
Retor---A speech by senator Doipb.
ALBANY. Jan. 10-The seventeenth annual
meeting Of the New York State Bar Assocls-
tion was called to order In the Senate chamber
this afternoon by President J. Newton Fiero
Many prominent m members Of the bar. mem
bers OF tho Legislature. and spectators we're
present President Fiero delivered an address.
taking for his subject, "A Practical View OF
Law Reform in New York" He said in part:
The conservatism OF tho bar has been such
as to prevent progress In the law so as to keep
pace with modern ideas and i'm mprovements In
other lines Of thought and action.
The law has many antl1uated rules the
reason for which ceased to exist many hun
dreds OF years ago
The Office OF Surrogate and County Judge
should be consolidated In all cases where one
person can perform all the duties OF both
offices and these officers should be prohibited
from practising.
The Superior Courts OF New York and Buf.
falo City Court OF Brooklyn. and Common
Pleas Of New York should be consolidated with
the Supreme Court.
In Supreme Court four General Terms should
be created. with FIVE Judges in each. and these
should be elected either throughout the state
at large. or by departments. giving q repre-
sentation to the minority party.
The Court Of Appeals can be relieved by pro-
hibitinR appeals where less than 81 900 is In
volved. and in certain classes OF orders. and by
increasing the number OF Judges to nine In
stead OF seven. as at present
The Code OF Procedure. as II now stands. is
badly arranged. not clearly expressed, and
lacking in sim plcity 1t needs careful exam
ination. revision. and condensation In order to
give us tolerable system OF practice
The revisions OF 1877 and 1880 were failures.
It needs revision also to keep It up to the
times and in line with the decisions OF the
courts The Code should be divided into four
parts and much condensed for practical pur-
poses
After the transaction OF miscellaneous bust
ness recess was taken until 8 o'clock.
The evening session was held In the Assem-
bly, chamber. which was crowded to tho doors.
In anticipation OF the presence OF Vice-Pres-
dent Stevenson and United States Senator
Jolph.
The galleries were also filled. The promi-
nent citizens OF Albany. including many
ladies. were present as were also the leading
lights OF the State bar and members OF the
Legislature
In the well sat the Judges OF the Court OF
Appeals, United States Senator Hill. and the
Supreme Court Judges President Fiero pro-
sided. He introduced Vice-President Steven
son. who delivered brief address. He said In
part:
The progress OF society from a condition Of
barbarlsm. ignorance. and superstition. to a
state Of the highest culture and refinement.
may be traced By it's advancement In the
modes OF administering Justice. and In the
character and learning Of its tribunals
With the institution OF tribunals FOR tho
administration OF justice arose the necessity
for n distinctive profession.men learned in
the law and skilled in its practice.
ia nf tha lnwyer | WOult sneak. and |
count 1t. indeed. an honor to address the rep-
resentatiyes q the bn5 o, state which Which has has
yet known such splendid types OF the Ameb-
can lawyer and Iurist as az Livingston,
AS are the lawyers OF any given period, SO
will Tbe the courts before which tney appear.
that a State which has given to the bar with
others no less ilIustrious. such lawyers A. kent.
Sswffd SrNIy cohGnr conor and IN ts nney
the great Hamilton; should ior century have
those ofthe great Federal tribunal
- The law as profession ia proEressive.
the exchanging conditions OF human socie-
ty. Many OF the maxims Of the early, writer's
livery !steP Is in the right direction which
tends TO simplify judicial proceedings-toavoid
the meshes in which cause was wont to be
entnngled. and thus yigilantly guard the
iadIciaI proceeding should be-wi.h the least
delay and expense practicable-to secure the
TOO often tho student is taught that the
attainment Of the highest success in the pro
fesslon q tho law !; qhsolutely dependent upon
lines OF thought and Of action:
Politics has been defined the science. of
science in action Of human Affairs.
/ dissent, from what conceive to be per.
Himself Sioot from politics which means that
to hands other than his own must be COM
mtted his dearest interests, ,.,e.a anil, ,
the supposiiiOn that money getting Is the
highest aim OF those who enter this noble pro-
'"Ths teaching that he who would attain
the greatest NEED OF sueSes s5is; ,6r,s1 IN
cast to the winds all responsibilities
controls &C H the primaries or the csucus-in
word, practically abdicate his citizenship
must bear gernicious fruit in Government OF
In closing Mr., Stevenson said; May We
not not abide in the faith that, Inspired Inn Gy Gyy
this noble profession, who have made respien-
dent every page OF the hrst ceT;uIy OF the
and the remote future on the bench and at the
bar. whatever danger may menace. viii faith
precious legacy OF Tree governmentf"
United states Senator Joseph " poiph OF
the annual address. taking for his subject
Senator Doph am ong other tnlngs shih:
"AIl reforms. through whatever agencies
wrought must begin with tho people. II legls-
lators lack the necessary qualifications for
their position the people who elected them
have no cause for complaint.
III the people will not give the necessary
attention TO political affairs to secure intelli-
gen. and yirtuous representation in their egis-
latiye assemblies. there appears to be no
remedy for the evil.
Politics cannot te safely left TO professional
politicians and the corrupt and purchasable
Elements OF society. The cultivated and
learned should not stand aloot from politics
but should endeayor by their superior wisdom
and influence 70 give direction to public senti-
ment and public affairs"
vote OF thanks was given both OF the dis
tinguished speakers by the members OF the
association. and an adjournment was taken to
the Governors reception which was held at
the Executive Mansion tonight
The Governors legislative Reception.
ALBANY, Jan. 10.-Gow Flowers annual
legislative reception occurred tonight at the
E,ac,tiva ManEinn RaVaral thousa nd invita-.