The record-union., 1899-08-30
Proceedings Of the Convention in
Session at Buffalo.
A Large Number Of Distinguished Members
Of the Profession Present.
The Report of the Committee on
Report-Strong Resolutions in
Favor of the Settlement of In
ternational Controversies by
Arbitration.

BUFFALO, Aug. 20 When the
American Bar Association resumed its
session to-day the Council Chamber of
the City Hall was filled with distin-
guished delegates and lawyers of note
from different sections of the country.
who had assembled to listen to the ad
dress of Senator William Lindsay OF
Kentucky. The Senator spoke for
nearly an hour and was listened to
most attentively.
Several new members of the Associa-
ton were elected to-day, prominent
among them being John G. Milburn,
President of the Pan-American EXhi-
| bition.
The report of the Committee on In
ternational Law recites the arbitration
treaty concluded this year between the
kingdom of Italy and the Argentine
Republic, and also the conclusions
reached by the peace conference at The
! Hague. Concluding, the report says:
Your committee feels that the signal
success which has thus attended the
various endeavors that have been made
to convince the nations of the civilized
world that it is both their duty and
their interest to adjust by peaceable
measures, wherever it may be possible,
all cases of difference between them, is
a subject of great congratulation to all
who have taken any part in this inn
portant movement.
It marks a distinct advance in the
progress of civilization. At the same
time we are very sensible that much
remains to be done to stimulate and
inform public opinion ON this sub
ject. The treaty negotiated at The
Hague is not yet ratified. 1t is of the
first Importance that it should be rati-
| fed, and ratified by a decisive vote.
We urge, therefore, upon every member
of the association to do all in his power
to arouse public attention to this SUBJ
ject, and to direct it in favor of the
ratification by the Senate of the
4 s51rited States -of the action of the dele
gates of our country at The Hague.
And we recommend for adoption by
the association the following resolu-
! ton:
Resolved, That the American Bar
Association renews with emphasis the
strong declarations made by it in 1896
and in 1897, in favor of the adjustment
the medium of enlightened interna-
tional arbitration, expresses its great
satisfaction that the efforts which have
been made to establish so benefcent
principle have eliminated in the adop-
ton at The Hague of a wise and
statesmanlike agreement for that pur-
pose, and it's earnest hope that the Sen
ate of the United States will approve
the convention at The Hague, and that
the Administration will take such
steps as may be proper to carry it into
effect
The report of the Committee on Com
mercial Law is embodied in the fol-
lowing:
Your Committee on Commercial
Law is of the opinion
"First-That bankrupt law is wise
and beneficent legislation.
"Second-That the general features Of
the present bankrupt law should have
the approval and support of the bar
and the commercial community.
'"Third-That whatever amendments
are made to the provisions of the law
relating to voluntary bankruptcy
should be in the line of a better protec-
the bankruptcy proceedings.
"Fourth-That the amendments to the
provisions of the law relating to invol-
untary bankruptcy should be along the
lines of a better remedy for the cred
itor for fraud, actual or contemplated,
on the part of the debtor previous to
the institution of bankruptcy proceed
ings.
Fifth = That the ideal bankruptcy
law is one that (a) allows every hon.
est debtor to procure a speedy dis
charge from his obligations upon the
surrender of all his property; (b) gives
every creditor a complete remedy
against actual or contemplated fraud
on the part of the debtor; (c) pun
ishes all fraud on the part of debtor
or creditor with relentless severity"
The Committee on Commercial Law
made it's report, and promised to report
next year upon the subject of involun-
tary bankruptcy. It was the opinion
of the committee that the new bank
ruptcy law should be generally sup
ported by bench and bar.
The recommendation of the Commit
tee on International Law in favor of
international arbitration was unani-
mously adopted.
The Committee on Grievances offered
resolution of sympathy with Maitre
Labori, the defender of Dreyfus, but
it was tabled on a close vote.
The Committee on Law reported rec
ommending that law reporters form an
association in order to secure uni
formity of style in law reporting
At the afternoon session Sir William
r. Kennedy, Justice of the High
Court of England, was introduced, and
delivered an address on Estate Punish
ment of Crime"