The Anaconda standard., 1895-01-07
LAWYERS IN A oUANDARY.

LAWr EMS TN n QOANCAhf'
It Took Deep Thought and Lots OF Ar
gument to Orgsnixs the Bar.
MrSsoULA, Jan. 6.-There is a feeling
of unrest among the legal fraternity OF
Missoula. 1t is manifest in the careworn
brows and distracted attitudes of the ex-
Founders of the constitution as they
move about in the performance of their
duties. They are dissatisfied and their ac-
tions plainly indicate it. They are re-
solved upon some rodical step and their
conduct only emphasizes this fact. Even
Tom Marshal's beaming face is clouded
and Hal Corbett's classic Kentucky brow
is knitted into a profound frown. Marcus
l.. Crouch is in a deeper, browner study
than usual and Charles Musgrave wears
an air of profound absorption. /. G..
Denny smiles, but it is a sickly smile.
and Joe Wood is so interested that he for
gets to wear an overcoat when it SHOWS.
w. j. Bickford is absent minded and oc-
casionally declines to take a drink, and
Fred Webster subdues his audible smiles
to such an extent that he is not recogniza-
BILE by his friends. Judge Woody walks
about wrapt in an air of mystery and his
winter cloak, and Joe Dixon's light and
springy stop has given way to n tragic
stride that would give Herr Bandmann
pointers.
The cause of oil this disturbance was
the attempted organization of bar as
sociation Thursday afternoon. The
meeting was we'll attended and there was
no contest over the election of officers;
all the eloquent speeches made by the
legal lumlnaries were in accord; all
agreed that If there was any one thing
that the lawyers of Missoula need to COM
plete their temporal comfort and happi-
ness, that one thing is n bar association.
Thus far all things went well and white
winged Peace spread her pinions over the
assembly in silent benediction. There
was an absence of any combative or ar
gumentative spirit that foretold a peace
full and happy existence for the embryo
association. But this Eden-liko peace
was disturbed and the cause of the dis
turbance was the question, why do We
want a bar association"
When this proposition came up for con-
sideration poor Peace folded her wings
and hit tho trail, and the meeting assumed
the appearance of an academy debating
society. Argument was rife and conten-
ton had the floor. All agreed that an as
sociation was desirable-even necessary
but the propounders and the expounders
association. Opinion finally, after much
waste of words and breath, crystallized
into two opposing sentiments. One was
that the association should 30 of purely
social nature, and the other that it should
be for the benefit of the profession in the
regulating OF fees and other matters per-
tanning to the practice of law. All efforts
to consolidate these opinions proved fu-
tile, and the meeting adjourned till yes
terday, that the attorneys might give the
matter private consideration.
The sentiments of the socially inclined
faction, as expressed by one of the lead
ers, were substantially as follows: 1--WE
are absorbed in the practice of lava dry
business. We are on earth for very
brief period and we owe ourselves some
relaxation in tho way of entertainment.
We arc able, individually, to look after
our business affairs, and, as for myself, l
will allow no man or association to have
anything to say regarding my fees. / re-
serve the right to fix them and TO collec
them as l sec fit. believe that the asso-
citation should bo q social one"
The spokesman for the business propo-
sition expressed himself in this wise:
wherever you find any number of law
yers i'm tho east you will find bar associ-
alton. These bar associations are formed
for professional purposes; for the discus
sion of legal points; for tho regulation of
fees; for the mutual benefit of their men,
bess. They have stood the test of time
and have boen found satisfactory. In
these associations the social element is
not overlooked, but it is subordinate TO
the main purpose of the association. On
stated occasions-semi-annu in some
cases, at tho opening of court in others
bauquets are held, at which toasts are
drunk in big bumpers and conviviality
reigns. Then the association gets down
to business. when the immediate effects
of the banquet have worn of. But the
associations are not organized primarily
for social purposes"
The whole matter received careful con-
sideration, and last night the Bar associa-
ton was organized with the list of officers
as published IN this mornings STANDARD.
Able and earnest men are in charge and
much good, both in n social and profess
sional way, will undoubtedly result TO the
members.
Dyspepsia seldom causes death, but per-