New-York tribune., 1897-12-17


REV DR. SAVAGE AND OTHERS.
The alumni of the University Law School held
their fourteenth annual dinner last evening IN the
red room of Delmonico's, Forty-fourth-st and
Fifth-ave.
Seated at the table with Elihu Root president
Of the association were Justices Hatch ana bai L
lett. Of the Supreme Court; the Rev. DR.. Minot =
Savage John De Witt Warner, Clarence d. AshIey'
dean Of the University Law School: Chancellor
Menry NJ McCracken, Charles ]. Patterson and
Wilbur A. Parrington
Mr. Root In his opening address SAID that' not
withstanding the great wealth OF the corporations
for which lawyers latored, he was glad the high
standard OF ethics prevailed. The Bar or To-Day
was a great community. awarding honor 20 those
who were worthy Of It. Mr.. Root introduced Jus
,ice Hatch. who responded 10 the toast OF The
Bench"
Justice Hatch said that there was wide gull
between the judicial systems Of the past and pres
cnt The condition OF the Bar to-day. declared ire
speaker was better than at any time in Its history
Justice Hatch described the Supreme Court OF the
United States during It's earlier history He told
of cases the arguments OF which nled over two
hundred pages OF printed matter. In one instance
he cited the legal giants OF that day argued ior
three days before that same Court as 10 whether
the latter had Jurisdiction IN certain matter
the Court gravely decided It had. and then in few
moments threw the appeal out of court Business
OF those days ever dreamed Of and OF much greater
MAGNITUDE, were argued to-day and disposed on
within few hours.
NO one denied the ability Of the great legal
giants OF the past. as they are called, declared
Justice Hatch. but conditions have changed. In
the past one of the referred 10 was over
matter OF a million and half Of dollars. There
was not man In the country that did not know
OF the suit at the time and the arguments of
counsel discussed by the bar and laynen
alike. To-day case Involving every foot In
Greater NewYork could be tried, and neither side
would get more than two hours In which 10 argue
H. and none but the ntigants. counsel and court
would probably ever hear OF It. To-day we say a
man is a good lawyer and relesate the tide Of
legal giant TO the past The time was when man
who was able TO ask properly trained question OF
a witness known as a great cross-examiner.'
Continuing Justice Hatch declared that the bench
what the bar made It, II It did not clearly
represent them and their highest aspirations. I;
was the foult OF no but the bar. The brightest
and best Of material was al hand TO select from.
MY friends" said he. there was mover time in
any age under any cline, when justice s as speed
lily obtained and administered without either fear
or favor the present moment
Again referring to the matter OF a high standard
on the bench. Justice Hatch warned the ,awyers
that II they allowed the politicians 10 make the
"Organize" said he IN conclusion. and let your
own voice be heard n the matt9r ana Nc no rnt maiieT
or Mr. Platt. insist upon your selection. II you do
not get It. you have no one but yourselves 10
blame"
The Rev DR.. Savage replied TO the toast. The
Pulpit" lie said among other things:
"Apropos OF this dinner let me read you tele
gram I received At my home last evening. II j
signed by Of the leading dalles OF the CITY. il
reads Justice Patterson says the legal profession
is degeneratng. Kindly let know " your profos
sion is retrograding; IL So let us know causes
~ have no opinion az 10 the legal profession Ny
profession was never so good In the same Ian
guage | answered the paper. ! am glad that jus
t!ce Hatch spoke o. The methods Of the past W.
hear about the great deeds OF the past Men were
never bigger. stronger bctter-there Was never Sc
religion. so much liberty as on this 10th day
OF December lSJ7.'
DR. Savage said the newspapers created the pcs
simistic condition of the public mind. The papers
according TO version. contained nothing bat
accounts of crime.
"Hundreds OF men--ln fact. with few exceptions
al the men OF NewYork. went about their busi-
ness honestly to-day" said he yet notices
! that The trouble Is that behaving yourself Is not
news. No paper prints the fact that man pad
! MS bills or was kind 10 his wIe, loved his
children Yesterday So do not become discoura ged
! ~ one Justice or a dozen for that matter thinks
things arc degenerating. On the whole things are
| on and up"
| Chares J. Patterson, Of Brooklyn, responded l.
| the toast THE Bar" He declared that the world
| In general and the bar in particular was FL
| better condition than in the past. Mr.. Patterson
said he did not believe that Justice Patterson had
! made the remarks attributed TO him.
! ''1he Client" responded 10 by John De wiz
| Warner ''The Physician" by Dr. A. f. Macdonald
| and "The Law School" by Dean Clarence d. Ashley