The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-22
BAR SESSION BREEZY
LAWYERS FOUND A NUMBER OF
TOPICS TO STIR Up DIS
CUSTOM
CUTTING OFF A JUDGEsHIP
Another Was the "Syndfcatfngv
or Certain Law Practice by Trust
Companies Talk of Abolish
Ing Either the Municipal or the
Justice Courts.

ing Either the Municipal or the
Justice Courts.
A proposed legislative bill for the
abolition Of one or more district judge
ships came up for discussion at the
annual meeting Of the Ramsey County
Bar association last evening at the
Commercial club and was referred
with number Of suggestions, to
legislative committee that has been
appointed to take charge of legislative
measures of interest to the associa-
ton. Although the meeting failed to
place itself on record on the proposition.
the tenor of the comments indicated
mat the bill for abolishing the courts,
should 1t be introduced at the capitol,
Will meet with a warm reception from
the members of the Ramsey county
par. over seventy of the members Of
the association were present at the
meeting
The following officers were elected
Tor the ensuing year:
President. Ambrose T1ghe.
Vice president, Frederick G. Ingersold
Secretary, A. R. Moore
Treasurer. Oscar Hallan
Directors for two years: s. NJ Hayes A
Wiekwire, Carl Taylor
Directors for one year: H. W. ChiIds En-
erson Hadley, j. E. Stryker
Inc meeting was called to order by
the retiring president, T. R. Palmer,
VINO briefly reviewed the work accom-
plished by the association during the
past year and made a number of sug-
gestions for the future guidance of the
organization. Incidentally, Mr.. Pal
mer stated that, acting under the con-
slltutlon, he had appointed the follow
Ing committee on legislation: H. W.
Childs, Ambrose Tighe. E. P. San
born, T. D. O'Brfen. NJ. V. Seymour,
Z. Bechhoefer and A R. Moore. He
desired that any matters Of legisla
ton, in which the members of the
ramsey county bar might be inter-
ested, should be brought to the atten-
ZION or the committee, and suggested
that there be a discussion of legisla-
1--WE matters at the close of the routine
business.
Then the constitution and bylaws.
with amendments suggested by the
executive committee, were read by the
secretary and finally adopted by the
association. The annual meeting was
fixed for jan L.
The treasurer reported nearly $500
remaining in his hands. with all bills
PAID, and the announcement received
the Wafmest applause Of the evening
The chair announced that NJ. D.
Grover. who had been invited to ad-
oresS the meeting, was unable to be
present, and called ON c. D. O'Rrien
VINO was occupying a front seat, for
suggestions on the legislative PROPOSE
ton.
.., "Rumor has it," said Mr.. o'Brien,
tnat certain influences are at work
to influence legislation in the dfrec-
Clon OF reduction of the number of
the Judges on the district bench. I do
not know what truth there Is in the
report, but it would be a serious blow
TO the community and to the state at
large If it should be true. The PROPOSE
tlon IS urged on the score Of economy,
and right here is where the advocates
appear to overlook one fact. that the
state pays all the salaries of the judges
With the exception of 1000 per annum.
and that to cut off a Judge would sim
ply mean a saving of $1,000, and no
more" ~
Former County Attorney Anderson
also spoke of the proposition to reduce
the number Of judges as a false
economy.
THE best way we can head it off If
we are threatened is TO stop some of
the places where the money of the
county Is being expended foolfshly for
salaries. Take the case Of the coroner
for instance. He is drawing 81, coo for
two-years' term and there are scores
OF men who would be glad to fill the
position and feel themselves amply re-
paid with $1,000 a year"
After further discussion on the same
line the matter was referred to the
committee on legislation and the cleo
ton of officers was taken up. Ambrose
Tighe was elected president against F.
6. Ingersoll, and the other officers were
elected by reclamation. While the
ballots were being counted for directors
lunch was served in the refectory
After the result of the vote had been
announced John H. Ives said he had a
matter to bring up Of the greatest i'm
portance to all members of the bar
Il have been thinking of introducing
some bills on the subject of the trust
companies" said Mr.. Ives. Nowadays
they are acting as guardians and ex-
ecutors and administrators for scores
Of estates representing large interests
One lawyer In their employ does the
work that a score should get. There is
something wrong about this system Of
doing business. 1t is really syndicating
the business Of the profession"
Mr.. Ives asked for an expression on
the part of the meeting in regard to the
trust companies and found lots of en-
couragement. Nearly everyone had
something to say.
F. H Griggs stated that he had heard
of a movement on foot to have the
civil branch of the municipal court leg
islated out of existence. As a means
of averting this he proposed a list of
suggestions involving the practical
abolition of justice courts which he de-
sired to have referred to the legislative
committee with the Endorsement of the
meeting. The points in Mr.. Griggs sug-
gestions awakened a storm of argu
ment. Eventually they were referred
without the recommendation asked for.
Gen. Childs, as chairman of the leg
islative committee, stated that the
committee had held its first meeting
and decided that the main duty should
be in determining the course of legis-
lation pertaining to the bar. This ap-
piled particularly to measures affecting
practice.
The legislative committee was direct
ed to take the matters referred to 1t
under consideration and report back to
another meeting of the association to
be held within the next two weeks.