New-York tribune., 1898-01-23
FRIENDS OF THE POOR DINE
THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY HOLDS IT'S
FIRST ANNUAL FEAST.
WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION WHICH DDFBNDs
THE FRIENDLEss AND POVERTY STRICKEN
AGAINST WRONG PRAISED BY BISHOP
POTTER SETH LOW AND
OTHER SPEAKERS
OTHER SPEAKERS


The first dinner OF the Legal Aid Society was he'o
last night at the new Delmoncos. Tho society mas
been in existence for over twenty years, but never
before have its members given themselves over TO
the conviviay of an annual feast. II is likely,
however that last nights reunion will he the pre-
cursor of other yearly gatherings I'm the future.
Among he many charities Of this city II IS prob
able that none do more good than the Legal Ald
Society. which s devoted to providing gratuitous
assistance TO poor people who have need 10 In
yoke the law to adjust wrongs inflicted upon them.
Through its agency claims to the amount Of thou
sands OF dollars every year recovered for per
who otherwise. because OF their straltened cir
cumstances. would be unable TO seek aid from the
courts IT is a striking fact. in commenting upon
the usefulness Of the society. that the average
amount Of the claims it has fought for and secured
for its clients is not more than about 81 case
Among those who at the dinner last night
some OF the most prominent lawyers in New
York. Arthur Won Bricscn, the president Of the
society. had with him at the head table Father
Thomas J. Ducey. Justice william y. Cohen. Isaac
l.. Rice the Rev DR. Gottheil. Joseph C. Hendrix.
Charles c. Beaman, Bishop Potter. Joseph La
ROGUE President Seth Low Of Columbia Univer
sity +. ". Hollis Isaac y Sellgman. Horace White
and Louis Wndmuellcr At the separate tables at
which the dinner served in the body Of the
room were among others, Samuel +. Avery, H. {.
Backus Emil l.. Hoas. Magistrate Robert c. Cor
nell f T Devine. ex-Judge A. J. Dlttenhoefer.
Austin b Fletcher. j. NJ Freese George A Hearn.
John D. Herman, Magistrate n. c. Kudlich. Ed
ward Iauterbach Civil Justice Wauhope Lynn.
Arthur " Mlbury. Charles c. Modal. Jacob II.
Schifr. Carl schurz. Dr. j II. senner. the Rev. DR..
Joseph Silverman and DR.. Frank W. Merriam.
The chairman in opening the after-dnner speak
ing first welcomed in the most cordial manner
the guests OF the society and then briefly sketched
some OF the objects that the organizat tion stood
for. Apart from the good II had done In ad-
justing the OF the poor. he pointed out
the society did q good deal OF educational Work,
In 80 far that II brought to the knowledge OF
many people the principles OF the law Of the coun-
try. principles TO which previously they had been
Strangers Not only had the society righted some
OF the injustices which daily harassed the poor,
but Il had spread its operations 10 the rescuing
OF people committed 10 insane asylums who were
never insane, and obtaining the release from
prison Of innocent Moreover. the bar OF
New-York had been benefited by the society,
for the reason that 1t had brought to the
hearts Of the common people the feeling that the
LAWYER was a friend OF the oppressed. The society
also the president continued. had taken vigorous
action against bucket-shops for the reason that the
agents OF these pernicious institutions had gone
among the people OF the Eas; Side inducing them to
invest their little savings In the fraudulent opera
t,ons OF the bucket-shop. In closing ne asked the
members to drink to the prosperity of the society.
which he explained. based upon the principles
OF justice to humanity
Frederick W. Hollis. Of the vce-presidents OF
the society spoke next. and devoted his remarks
mainly to the growth OF the organization II had
originated with the German Society, which had
annually appropriated 1900 to provide legal aid
for tho moor In 1890 the Legal Aid Society thus
formed widened ts scope and took upon itselt us
nresent name In explaining how vastly the insti-
tuition had developed Mr. Hollis pointed out that
while IN the first yeT OF It's existence the society
had dealt with only 2l cases last year II handled
: I-2 cases Much Of the later success that had
hea, achieved Mr.. Hollis attributed 10 the ability
ord udrrnent OF It's president. Mr Won Bresen
p,shon Potter who warmly applauded upon
-,.,nr made an eloquent speech in the course OF
,,bicb he pointed out that the foundations or an
arnnjre or a republic rested upon equity IN justice
80 81 sorts and conditions OF men. Inc l;eE%l
IA society he asserted. displayed a great oolect
iasson 10 the community. inasmuch as II aimed 10
n,,re r4rhteous dealing for those whose pccunlarY
CONDITIONS handicapped them In legal struggles
against peope OF larger resources
ca,h Low VINO was also cordially greeted spoke
,or a fev moments only. He said that the poorest
10 was entitled TO the same equity as me ric;l
man Fo smoke In enthusiastic terms OF the WORK
~ Tho society in attaining this END. ana sam y
o1ared a splendid example OF the strong holding
-. hand 10 the assistance or the weak
,ronc the subsequent speakers We're Rabtl
c;otfhiei Father Ducey. Charles g Beaman and
Joseph LarocQue