New-York tribune., 1895-02-14
TO CELEBRiTE IN ANNITEHSIRT
THE BAR ASSOCIATION WILL ToaORROW EVEN
ING GIVE \ RECEPTION TO IT'S EX.rREsl-
DENTS SOME OF ITS HISTORY

THE BAR ASSOCIATION WILL o-aORROW EVEN
ING GIVE RECEPTION TO IT'S EX.PREsI.
DENrs-soME OF IT'S HISTORY
Tomorrow evening the Bar Association VIII
give a reception TO its eNpresdents IN celebration
OF the twenty-ffth anniversary OF its organization
The list OF presidents from 1870 to the present In
cudes William NJ Evars. stephen +. Nash. Fran
els ~ Bangs James G. Carter. William Allen But
lcr Joseph H. Choatc, Frederic Il. Coudert and
Wheeler II. Peckham. All are living except Mr.
Bangs The association is in most prosperous
and hourlshing condition. Tee membership num-
bers about LOO. and includes the leading lawyers
Of the New-York Bar The association owns the
building and grounds at No. ! West Twenty ninth
st. consisting OF three city lots. The library
numbers about 1900 volumes. ana has cost nearly
$4,000
The call for meeting to organize an associa-
ton Of the NewYork Bar in February. 1870. was
signed by about 30 men. The bar OF New-York
then numbered about 1000 and the standard of
professional honor and ability at Its lowest
cbb. The unspeakablc corruption of the Tweed
rule had bcsmirched even the bench The stress
of this condition of things drove the sef-rcspcct
Ing members OF the bar 30 band themselves to-
gether and set up standard OF ethics ana honor
and the present association was the result.
In 1871 the membership had grown to $50. On
April IS 1871. the association was chartered by the
Legislature. A house. ~ No. 20 West Tweniy-seV-
cntl-st., first purchased. The growth or mem
bershlp and library was such that IN 1910 the phl-
chase of the present Twenty y-nnth-st site was mad"
at "A cost of 100000. The present establishment con-
slsts OF reading rooms. ps:lors and large meeting
rooms on the first noor. one Of the most complete
and best arranged law Libraries In the country on
the second floor. and number OF committee rooms,
ETC. on the upper floors. There is also sci
apart for the judges who may desire to use the
facilities Of the library. Even these ample quarters
are growing insufficient however. The library Is
increasing the rate of 1000 or 5000 volumes each
year In 1889 reserve building fund was established
which has grown TO S54,Oc0 and before long 1t Is
intended erect specially designed building Tor
the home of the association.
1t has always been an active and aggressive force
In the reform OF legal abuses and crudtles In 1873
IL Instrument tai III reforming the system OF re-
porting judicial decisions. which had become chaotic
In 1872 II pitched into the eXtortioners who had
rendered the fee systems Of the Sherlfrs. County
Clerks. Registers and Surrogates offices "A mock
cry and byword. In 1915 1t brought about needed
reform In the matter OF admissions To the bar. and
In 1878 demanded OF Governor Robinson the official
scalp or Register Frederick Loew From that on to
ings OF general public interest but needed reforms
In matters more technical were continually being
Sought after. There Is n standing committee
grievances. who not only investigate charges against
members OF the association and recommend proper
discipline but whose business 1t Ia to investigate all
charges OF unprofessona conduct among members
OF the Ntv-York Bar. and when the same are sub
stanated TO move before the courts for dlsbarment
Of the offender.
The spples tions for membership in the association
ere YgioJy soSutinleo6s