New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-26

this CITY, was elected president OF the association.
succeeding ex-Judge William H. Robertson. Of
West Chester, who has been one of the most popu-
lar presiding officers whom the association has had
Mr.. Whitaker is one Of the youngest men who has
ton CSn H. is about forty-,wo Years Old lie was
educated at German university ana studied law
Charles Crary OF this city He was FOR eight years
Deputy Attorney General Of the State lie com
book on that subject He is the author OF ibe law
providing for the pr res e'sG Of n%
from the office OF Deputy Attorney General he has
nent IN The affairs Of the STATE Der Association.
Among the most important matters discussed at
the meeting of the Bar Association was the revi-
sion o. ,hc Code of civil PROCEDURE and especially
a resolution which was finally adopted. suggesting
that committee Of judges OF the highest courts
be appointed to revise the rules OF court and to
transfer from the code OF Civil Procedure many
sections referring to matters which in England ana
in other States regulated by court rules Instead
OF by statute This change has been advocated By
many lawyers and writers legal subjects. II
Cause the iudgSs would b. less likely than leesla-
tors sometimes TO make changes simply for
be easier to alter any methods OF procedure which
it was found did not work well In practice. Many
cal thai judges rather than members Of the Legs,
lature should be called on to frame the rules and
S Sffectiye. '"e''' WIG" '''' UNIV 0'''' W
Few opinions were handed down last week by the
Court Of Appeals. but some Of them were of i'm
por.ance to members OF the profession. The deci-
sion az 10 the exemption Of from civilser
vice examinations was not unexpected. as the con-
s,itutionaI objections TO the measure had been
clearly set forth in the earlier proceedings. The
opinions as to fraud and conspiracy in commercial
are published in the law reports. The General Term
was reversed In the case OF Smart against Richard.
magistrate responsible for the imprisonment Of
defendant upon an AFFIDAVIT which was insufficient
to show with any cearness the guilt OF the accused
party.
The honors paid last week to ex-Judge Finch. OF
the Court of Appeals. though conducted by a Sc
fraternity. were participated In by many mem
bers Of the bar, who appreciated his high character
and his valuable services on the bench. While some
Judges OF the higher courts. by unfortunate
manner OF expressing their opinions. have aroused
hostility among members Of the bar Justice Finch
has made enemies and hosts OF friends. Judicial
opinions are rarely models OF gool Ensnssn DIV
II literary as well as legal pleasure TO read
s saS n ano.d fh the opons o. oh jugs but
stated broad principles win lorce ana Glea Tne5,
from the facts OF the case.
The reception for Joseph + Gary presiding JUS
tlce Of the Appellate Court by the Chiolgo Bar
Association a few days ago the occasion of
notable gathering Of Judges and lawyers. Fifteen
members of the judiciary were present and over
hundred lawyers sat down to the dinner which
the bench for th!riy-three years and has been
Justice Of the Appellate Court for eight years. He
10 perhaps the most widely known OF all the Illinois
judges.
The University Law School announces course
of thirteen lectures upon the law OF fire insurance
for members of the bar and persons actually en-
gagged in the business of fire insurance. The course
Will begin on February IL and continue each Thurs
day evening until completed. This is OF the
special courses in the graduate series OF the school
over forty lawyers pursuing studies In these
courses. Many lawyers who have been In practice
for several years and have forgotten much OF what
they learned at the law schools In special branches
of the law desire from time TO time to acquaint
themselves with some subject in which their recent
practice has led them to have new interest. The
experiment Of Dean Austin Abbott and his associ
ates is an Interesting one. and Will undoubtedly
prove successful enough to warrant the continuance
OF these courses In future years
1.-THE American Lawyer for January contains
the interesting announcement that Frank c. Smith.
who was the first editor, but resigned few months
aco has again become the editor. The American
LAWYER" though financially successful. is not Itself
nopu.ar among New-York lawyers. because 1t de-
votes its attention largely to collection agents and
IN LAWYERS who believe In public advertising Mr..
Smith. the editor. has. however won place to
himself among readers on legal matters by his
Industry and ability His tabulation Of over 5000
cases examined In the Federal and state courts, by
which he established several interesting tae.s S was
a rema rkable instance OF his hard work he showen
thai about IS per cent Of the cases were reversed on
noints of procedure and the RUE holds good DOM
In States where the common law procedure u uSeu