Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-12
THE ANNUAL SMOKER
RICHMOND BAR ASSN ENrERTa,xs
AT CoMMoNwEALTn cLuB.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS PRESENT.
Sudrc Nathan Con on Ncuspnncr
RumorS-Judges Drawley md
simonton Also spcak-Gen. Bradley
Johnson on the Cuban Situation.

rtc eleventh annual SMOKER" OF IN,
richmond Bar Association took place in
che commonwealth Club last night. A
,ombnation of circumstances served "a
r,rl,r Sc an event Of paramount impor.
lance and surprising interest. for not
only was the attendance larger than on
mn. former occasion. but the list OF dis
trruishcd visitors was unusually long.
and O. peculiar interest centered round
The event by reason OF the political promi-
nerca OF those who were expected TO
address the assembly.
The social features OF the Smoker"
were highly entertaining. and looked at
fram any point OF view, Il was an I'M
,1rIvocal and delightful success.
Among the distinguished visitors present
were Judges Con- Smonton, and Draw
lev. OF the United States Appellate Court:
judges Keith. Harrison. Rely, and
buchanan, Of the Virginia Supreme Court;
Judee c. 4. Moore, Of Ashevine; General
Bradley #. Johnson. c. w. Sans. of
Norfolk. and c. w. Coleman, OF Norfolk
county. Eppa Hunton. Jr., Judge S. c.
Graham. Of Tazewen; J. 5. Barber. of
Cs,qsper. Isaac Digs, Of West Point:
Wood Bouldin, OF Halifax; Judges Minor,
Christian Leake. Staples, Ingram, Lamb,
M..GIl Wexford. and Lewis
A very cordial and pleasant letter was
received from Chief-Justice Fuller who
dad been invited, expressing ais regret
$40 DIS inability 10 be present on account
.r pressing business which necessitated
bis leaving Richmond before the event
took siace
JUDGE GOFF PRESENTED.
Members Of the association and their
guests began TO assemble i'm the large
rtcepti0n-roOm of the club shortly after
S o'clock. Il was a very pleasant and
Informal gathering. ana not until $3.50
o'clock did Mr.. Roosevelt Page, first vice
president OF the association take the
chair. He said that ii was with UNI
feicned regret that he had 10 announce
that the Hon. B. b. MunfOrd, president
of the association, was unavoidably alb
cent ON account Of sickness. He ex-
pressed disappointment at the absence of
the Chief Justice, but said he, while we
may not have the successor of Justice
Marshall we have one with us who may
Dee successor to the renowned Attorney
General Writ The only condition upon
which Judge Golf consented to be present
tonight was that he should not be called
upon 70 commit himself.
Judge Gon: You are telling a story.
loud laughter)
Continuing. Mr.. Page said that the
bar Of this circuit, while it would feel
proud whatever the decision might be,
thev would all regret TO lose the
distinguished jurist from the circuit. He
then introduced Judge GOf. who was
very warmly received.
Judge Goff said: Il assure you that i
am profoundly grateful for the royal re-
ception you have given me. on my own
volltion. / determined TO enter a decree,
over which there is no court which has
.saiction-that l will be worthy Of
this reception. I hope that 1 may be
able to win the respect and esteem of
tle gentlemen who have so welcomed
me-" Abiding 10 Mr.. Pages remarks,
as 90 his not being called upon to COM
nit himself: he said; mo. Mr.. Chairman;
there is a mistake here, but l do not
blame you with your innocence.
C.aughter) / would not for one mo-
m-lt hold you responsible; nevertheless.
.t was q distinct understanding that l
was 10 see you, but not to talk TO you.
] believe II is outrageous to hold any
one responsible for continued newspaper
statements. The fact is, 1 do not think
amy one ought TO be reported at such /
times as the present; and, even If you /
write the account yourself, the language /
SIS sure to be made TO mean something |
that YOU never intended. The invitation I
1 TO me led me to understand that /
tha c5mmittee and Bar Association had |
been led 10 believe that they were TO |
Jose me In the service. But now. by /
tle newspaper statements. and current /
Im0r Of the last week. you all know /
that i am not going TO be lost, and |
not going to lose the circuit But i'm addi-
ton there Is another reason, and that is, |
that judges should not speak in public on
politics BE that as IT may, l agreed with
the chairman that / would arise to beg
to be excused. l have always dread
that iu trying TO say nothing | may be
l.i 20 say something. In the years gone
Dr. was fond of trying 10 talk There was
sImetr.ng inexpressably enchanting In
talking 20 a delightful audience like this.
j. ann TO observe the admoniuons laid
upon me. I should look wise and say
nothing. Tt is as hard to look wise as II
SIS o. say nothing Early in the race !
dropped the effort 20 look wise Gap
IauseJ
KIND WORDS FOR VIRGINIA.
Continuing Judge Gon spoke earnestly
Of l.s admiration for Virginia and Nir-
rr.u Institutions. He came TO Virginia a
stranger but with heart fun Of love.
OF am "a Virginian myself" he said "fOr
j was born just over the mountains" lie
s. se ~ ,he war, in which he said he saw
DIS duty DE I'm other lines than those
taken Dy many OF his auditors. AFTER
N- have drunk the cup of woe he con-
Iha ID have mouTned over the vacant
chain. and the sound of the voice that Is
SUD- vs., should move forward with one
cope. The unity OF a great republic.
mighty Union. which is the wonder or
i. civilized world" Judge Cor spoke or
lae many distinguished statesmen and
ia"yers Who had been born in Virginia,
ana in eloquent terms eulogized the bril-
gam record Of Judge Marshall, the peer
Joss Henry that giant among lawyers
-lher and LennOX. Lee Moncure ana
scarborough a wonderful galaxy, ne
ia.i. which would exhaust the time allot-
.-l 90 them n ne should attempt 10 do
l0,m Justice. He remembered with pride
'hal when Doe was q student his professor,
Ol one occasion. I'm speaking 10 his class,
ellt' quoting "a number of authorities, SAID
lneso are AN Virginia authorities. l ad-
wise you 20 study them closely"
in conclusion, Judge Goff said: Let me
o. with you tenants IN common Of the
eiiiales OF these men. While other To-
,aile. claim that they have men as dls- I
,IsIahei, ] claim that no age, no lana.
10 Cline, has ever excelled the men OF
Virginia. from that day when God
l.hl"
Judge Con was greeted with loud ana
Prolonged applause upon taking his seat. .
JUDGE BRAWLEY's SPEECH.
Ar Page then introduced Judge Draw I
#N.a