The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-09-08
LAWYERS CONVENTION.

The Lawyers convention ZOE
the purpose of suggesting to the
Constitutional Convention to meet
in February next. some feasible
plan for the revision Of the judi
ciary system OF the State, met at
the court house in Alexandria
last Wednesday aud was called to
order by MI. John 9. Ryan presi-
dent of the Alexandria Bar Asso-
clation. Permanent organization
was effected by the election of Mr..
l.. r. Dulany, Of New Iberia as
president and Mr.. G. V. Porter. OF
NatchitOches, as Secretary.
President Dulauy upon taking
the chair briefly but impressiVely
stated the object OF the meeting
and couuseIed harmony and tOler.
alton.
At this juncture Mr. 9. Black
man, son of Judge W. +. Black
man, of the THIRD Circuit Court OF
Appeals, delivered in an eloquent
and impressive manner a welcome
to the delegates i'll behalf OF the
bar and the people of Alexandria.
The young man is u recent gradu-
ate of the law department OF Tu
lane University, and his address,
tapplauded to the echo, evinces ill.,
tellectual and Oratorical attain.
meuts of high order, which Only
need cultivation and practice to
enable him, in the not remote iu-
lure, to step into the shoes OF bis
distinguished father.
General Il. +. Bell, Of Caddo, re.
spOuded in au extemporaneous
but appropriate and felicltous
speech to the address of welcome,
in which he gave some salutary
ad vice to the convention and Incl.
deutally paid very high compli'
ment to the bar OF ltapides parish.
A recess of fifteen minutes WAS
then taken to enable the delegates
to hand in their credentials and
give the secretary an opportunity
to make up the roll Uf the cOnven'
lion.
After assembling Il committee
on enrolment was appointed and
thirty.hve delegates enrolled
These are representative men from
various parishes.
A motion was carried that the
president appoint Il committee OF
eleven to draft report to the con
vention upon a revision OF the ju
dietary system, which this conven
zion can recommend for adoption
to the constitutional convention
and that this report be made at
the present sitting of The c0nven
ton. The president thereu2on ap
pointcd said committee as follows
David Todd, chairman, Iberia; j
L. Reynolds, Bienv!ile; G. V. Port
or, Natchitockcs; o. Proyosty
poiute Coupee; E. u. Hunter
Eapides; j. d. Wilkinson, Ret
River; Thos. II. Lewis, St. Landry
W. Ii. McClcndon, Tansipahoa; l.
+. Suthon, Terrebonne.
The convention then adjourned
until 1880 o'clock the same nigh
to give the committee time to de
libcrate and report.
The Lawyers Convention wa!
called to order by Presiden Dula
nv at 1880 o'clock Thursda,
morning, pursuant to adjournment
The committee of eleven appoint
ed the day before to formulate ant
submit some feasible aud practica
BILE plan for the revision Of the ju
dietary system of the State, wer'
:. in session until II o'clock tina
night, but being unable to agree
came before the convention tn
next morning and submitted ma
jolity and minority reports, as fol
lows:
MAJORITY REPORT.
That the present judiciary sys
tenn be modified in the following
particulars:
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND CON
STABLES.
Justices of the Peace to be reg
ulated in Office by the proviso il
Sec. 5, of Act No. 1877 OF 1894, pro
pOsad as an amendment to Arts
l25 and 12G of the constitution
/ prohibiting them from receiving
ANY fees In criminal matters. iU