Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-03
WILL MEET
STATE BAR ASSOCIATION TO cox.
WE'VE AT OLD POINT TUESDAY.
SENATOR HOlR TIE ANNUAL ORATOR.
To Deliver the address ON the Clos
ing Day-other Features OF the ses-
sion--The Association's History and
0bjects-Many to Attend.

The annual meeting OF the Virginia
State Ear Association will be held at the
chamberlin Hotel. Old Point. commencing
Tuesday next, July 5th. and continuing
Cor three days. The last meeting was held
at the Virginia Hot Springs August 3.
1887. The objects OF the association, as
set out in its constitution. are TO cultivate
and advance the science OF Jurisprudence,
to promote reform in the law and judicial
procedure, TO facilitate the administration
Of justice, and 10 uphold and elevate
high standard OF morals and OF courtesy
In the legal profession.
The association had its birth in meet
ing held at Virginia Beach July 8, 1855,
when and where II was formed at a
meeting held In response TO call there
for issued by the Bar Association Of the
city OF Richmond. in which movement the
late +. H. Mcclure was the main spirit
That meeting selected as the first presi-
dent Of the association the late Judge
William j. Robertson, an honor which
was all the greater for him, inasmuch as
he was not present at the meeting.
On February Is, 1880, a charter for the
association was obtained from the Legis-
lature of Virginia. and among the powers
conferred in its charter was authority TO
take, institute, and prosecute any action,
suit, or other proceeding in the courts OF
the land OF elsewhere for the purpose OF
Furnishing unworthy members OF the pro-
| fession, or persons assuming It's func-
tons; provided, the party so proceeded
against shall be a member Of this cor
poration" This proyiso was rot In the
draft of the charter as prepared by its
friends and submitted 10 the Legislature,
but was put in at the instance OF men,
bers of the Legislature who desired to
place that check upon the power OF the
association.
A HIGH MORAL CODE.
There has been a spirit which has per-
vaded the association from It's foundation
in every way practicable 10 maintain a
high moral code in the practice OF the
! profession, and 10 do this the association
| has been very willing 10 take cognizance
OF any grievance that might be preferred
against its members or others. reported
as guilty Of malpractice. Accordingly.
the association has asked the Legislature
| TO amend its charter and 1t succeeded
| in getting II 10 do so, an act having been
! passed on February 10. 1885, striking out
| the above proviso. so that the association.
| as a corporate body, may now enter itself
| in the courts as prosecutor TO disbar
any unworthy member OF the profession
| in the State, whether he be a member OF
| the association or not.
Acting along the same line, the associa-
| ton has sought to establish higher
standard Of legal education and admis-
sion TO the bar Of lawyers. and the bill
passed by the Legislature before the last.
requiring all applicants to submit TO ex-
| animation before judges OF the Court OF
| Appeals, was one which the Bar Associa-
| ton prepared. and through its commit
| tee secured the passage Of by the Legis-
| lature.
The Bar Association has advocated re-
| forms in pleading. but the Legislature
has not seen proper, thus far. TO act on
! this line. but ii is believed that there is
strong current of opinion in favor OF
greater simplicity in the forms of plead
| ing which have been inherited by Us from
the common law, and doubtless the as
ISOLATION will, ere long, succeed in pre-
! senting some amendments in this direc-
| ton which Will be acceptable to the
| Legislature.
FOR BETTER JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
Again, the association has had vigil
liant eye 10 a better judicial system. Be-
| lieving that sooner or later changes will
| come in the system which now prevails
| in the State, the body at its last meet
| ing at the Hot Springs passed a resolution
| commencing 10 the General Assembly OF
| Virginia the enactment OF such leg!sla-
! ton and the submission TO the people OF
such constitutional amendments as VIII
! reduce the present number or circuit and
| county court judges. II being the sense
| OF the association that the work OF the
| circuit and county courts can be eff
/ 49, Flu
| number of judges. II Will thus be seen
that If the people think that our judiciei
| system is a too expensive one, the law
yers have anticipated them, and, against
| their own interest as a class have taken
| the initiative by adopting formal resolu-
| lions advocating a less expensive system.
SENATOR HOAR THE ORATOR.
Interest in the annual meetings does not
seem to abate, and the forthcoming meet
| ing promises TO be one OF unusual IN
] terest. The address of Senator Hoar. or
! Massachusetts,, Is looked forward TO with
| great interest. The association has had
I men frosI. all over the Union 10 address
IL, and nas had delivered to IL some ad-
| dresses Of the highest order OF merit,
| notable among them being that OF Mr..
] James c. Carter, of New York, who de-
! livered the address before the associa-
| and Unwritten Law" which members Of
the profession in this State have come TO
! refer 10 as one OF the most philosophic
and luminous treatises on abstract law
TO be found. Judge Roger a. Pryor
| likewise Of New York, delivered the ad-
dress three years ago, selecting for
| his subject the Influence Of Virginia In
the Formation of the Federal Constitu-
ton" and his address was one in full
keeping with the reputation for eloquence
| OF the distinguished speaker. Judge u.
| NJ Rose, OF Arkansas, delivered the ad-
dress in 1856, selecting as his topic THE
| Present State of the Law" and this was
one of the most finished and elegant pa
pers the association has had. end per-
sons who were present on that occasion
often recall the delicate and graphic
! word pictures which the speaker pre-
( scented OF Sir Edward Coke and Lord
| Francis Bacon, the contrasts between
! them, their jealousies characters, and
methods being presented In a delightful
style. Last year the orator was Wood
| row Wilson, OF Princeton University, a
| native Virginian. His topic was Leader
! less Government" by which he meant TO
characterize the government OF these
United States as a ''leaderless govern
ment" All who heard him were not
ready to follow him, but all appreciated
too well the extent TO which chance
comes in in the selection of our repre-
sentatives, from the President down, and
the want of harmony and unity Of control
that there is in what We call the gov
eminent"
/ p 10