The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-10-03
GEORGIA BAR ASSOCIATION.
THE ANNUAL CONVENTION IN SEES
SION At ATLANTA.

The Addresses of Hon. W. ". Fleming
and Judge W. u. HOrnbIOwer OF
New York the Features of the Days
Exercises-.The Ethics of the Pro-
fessiOn in Relation TO the State
the Subject Taken Up and Ably
Handled by President Fleming.
Atlanta, Ca, Oct. 2.-The annual con-
vention Of the state bar association was
begun to-day in the exposition auditorium,
with many prominent lawyers from all
parts of the state in attendance.
President W. H. Fleming presided, anO
his address and that of Judge W. b. Horn
blower OF New York. the orator of the Oc-
casion. were the features OF the day.
Tomorrow plans for the relief of the
supreme court will be discussed, and new
officers for the ensuing year elected.
Judge Hornblowers address was a very
lengthy one, and no synopsis could do il
justice. it being replete in accomplished
legal thought.
President Fleming took as the text of his
address. The Ethics of the profession
in relation to the state" and made of it
an exceedingly interesting and instructive
discourse. In part he said: 1T is interest
ing to note the moral lines along which our
civilization is advancing. Many are the
apparent contradictions and inconsisten-
cies. For centuries 1t was not deemed
proper for a lawyer to demand a fee for
his services. He was expected to do his
work and rely upon the honorarium or
voluntary gift of his client. Not only has
the hOnOrarium become obsolete and
contracts for fees recognized as morally
and legally right but fees are allowed con-
tingent upon recovery, which at one time
constituted an offense and an abomina-
tion. The fact Is that every branch OF our
professional work is gradually getting on
"a business or commercial basis. But not
withstanding the apparent deadening OF
moral sensibilities along these particular
lines let us not make the mistake of sup
posing that there has been or will be no
awakening no progression along other
lines; the spirit of this age is VenturesOme
and inquisitive. it is constantly asking
bold questions, some of which are quite
embarrassing to many people who cling
blindly to existing conditions halloWed by
past associations. Old ideals are being
broken to pieces and new ideals erected
in their stead more consistent with the
spirit of universal justice and right, al
belt perhaps as sensitive and delicate.
Human slavery, though existing at some
period among almost every people OF the
earth and sanctioned as many claim by
holy writ was within the memory of this
generation summoned before the bar Of
the civilized world and condemn
ed, and not even oi tne
long stay the execution of the Judgment
of that high court of last resort.
within the memory of many now hVlng
began the agitation in this country OF
the right of women to own and manage
their property In its last analysis the
question was what relation does sex bear
to the right of full ownership of property?
In effect the answer has been that sex
does not enter into the right at all. A
correlatiVe question Is now being pro
pounded, What relation does sex bear to
the right of franchise?' Justice doubtless
has her answer ready, but eXpediency
pleads for delay.
ture that this same independent inquiring
spirit of the age which looks with COM
parative unconcern upon the demolition of
some Of our -worShlpped legal IDOLS
will exalt the state and in its sovereign
name will ask more pointedly than ever
before, What is the true function or
the bar?" Thoughtful men from our own
ranks will be among the foremost to
formulate the answer, that lawyers
should always aid. and meyer impede the
He said in conclusion: Lest 1 should
leave myself open to the criticism of
weaving metaphysical subtilities without
accomplishing any practical results ] sub
NIT the following working rules. though
confessedly imperfect as within the limit
of reasonable compliance.
II will not become party to fraud ana
injustice by undertaking i'm the first in
stance any cause which my judgment ana
conscience tells me is clearly wrong.
EFF, having undertaken a cause in
good faith, Ii should afterward appear
that have been misinformed or misled by
my client, | will not then entirely ADAM
don him, but confine my efforts to pro-
tecting him against any Illegal advantages
on the part of his opponent.
BIN all causes not wrong in them
selves l will give my client from begin
ming to end the full benefit of every privI-
lege which the law honestly allows him
in maintaining his substantiate rights.
an no instance will l i'm the conduct
of a cause misrepresent the facts or mis-
apply the law.
dFinally, let me assure my brother law
yers that not line of this paper has
been written in the spirit of the Pharisee
who said. God thank thee that / am not
as other men, but rather would l COM
mend the whole subject to them in the
spirit of the publican. who implored
God, have mercy on me, a sinner"
CnOnEn SNOxUEn TrNnDr,