The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-12
BAR ASSOCIATION.
Dinner Enjoyed al The Casino in Roger
Williams Park.
Valuable Suggestions Made hI President
GOINeIi and Others.

ne Nlulrf tl the lNlOQt lSldnl lar
association az the Casino in Roger VIII
liams park last evening proved a most
enjoyable affair The attendance was
large and good feeling prevailed
throughout. Shortly after o'clock the
members boarded two special trolley
cars, which carried them to Elmwood
avenue entrance of the park. After
leaving the cars the party proceeded
To the Casino. where tempting dim
ner was awaiting them In the large
dining room on the second iloor. Presi-
dent ColWell OF the association presided
and near him were seated Chief JUS
tice Matteson and Judge Tnlinghast.
Park Commissioners Deming was pres
ent as a guest During the evening the
Casino orchestra rendered excellent
musical selections
When the dinner had been disposed
OF President COlWel introduced the
subject OF permanent quarters for the
association. Since the last meeting he
said the officers had given considerable
attention 10 the matter.
They had thought at first that they
might get pleasant rooms In the addi-
tion 90 the court house. Inquiries had
been made I'm that direction, and while
IL was a possibility IL was not thing
on which they could count.
Yet home, an abiding place that
they could call their own. would ce-
ment the relations between the mem
bers OF the bar and promote the chief
ends for which the association was
formed. Another idea was that they
might have house for tneir use. with
a restaurant and in that way do some-
thing toward keeping the association
together.
He could not report as yet that the
plan was successful. but they had il in
mind, and i'm their endeavors 10 solve
the problem had visited Boston. The
Boston Bar association has library
of 5000 volumes, and made arrange
meuts for quarters in the Federal
building near the court of the United
States. Two ideas had been suggested
10 their association, one the having OF
a library in that place and a club room
outside: but they finally concluded that
they could not afford the club room
outside, and simply retained the room
that they had in the first place.
Continuing. Mr.. Colwell said he felt
that there is great work for this Bar
association right here in this state.
Much can be done in fundamentally
benefiting the state by amendments
and reforms in the present law OF the
state.
OF these changes he said that many
would be gladly received by the court.
Above all he regarded the censorship
OF the bar as being one that recon-
mended itself To the citizens of the
state He proposed that amendments
To the law be suggested 10 the commit
tee of the association on legislation. lie
regarded the bar as In one sense por-
tion of the government and the MEM
bers should take that course that would
make them felt in the community. 9th
erwise IL would resolve itself into an
association for the having of suppers.
Albert A. Baker said he would like
to make suggestion that in one sense
had reference to what had been styled
the Fundamental law of the state. 1t
affected every family In the state. 1t
was evident that the state law was
very deficient and very much behind
the times as compared with other
states. II was very unjust from the
point of view of married women. The
wife had no inherent vested interest in
the personal property OF her husband.
II was not right: the widow in other
states had a right to one-third at least
of all the personal property left by the
husband, whether or not he made
will. He would Suggest this matter in
order TO start the practical work OF the
association. and that IL be left TO the
committee on legislation TO present an
act which. If approved, should be pre-
sented for tho consideration of the leg
islature.
Former Mayor McGuinness referring
To a recent North Providence slander
suit. said he thought that charge
against "A woman that she was guilty
of drunkenness ought To be made ac-
tionable per Sc in accordance with
recommendation Of the court In de-
Gliding the North Providence case.
E G. Pierce advocated n statutory
provision for supplemental process -
aid of an execution. The policy pre-
vailed i'm many states 10 provide Tor
supplemental process.
y. w. Lttlefleld said that the sug-
gestfon of Mr.. Pierce reminded him
that three or four years ago member
of the bar drew up bill on the sub
ject and asked a number OF attorneys
TO appear before the committee OF the
legislature. The bill never got beyond
the judiciary committed If that bill
had been backed UP by an organization
like this "a could have been passed.
That was legislation that was called
for
Other suggestions were made by \.
$. Miller ana W. I. Ballou and then
Dexter B. Potter moved that all these
valuable suggestions be referred TO the
legislation committee, and it was 50
voted
L.. *. Parker advocated greater in
tergst iw the subiec; of constitutional
law on the part of lawyers.
Rathbuue Gardner said that the state
was handicapped 10y the blindness or
iu,ampleteuess of the statutes. by
amendments having the support OF the
bar as a whole the needed improve
mputs could be made. lie said that
the bar owed a debt OF gratitude to
Mr.. Colweu FOR his interest i'm The sub
iect OF the evening
The meeting then adjourned.
TID RETS