The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-01
Vermont Bar,

Nearly one hundred prominent lawyers
from all parts of the State gathered in the
Supreme Court room of the State House
Tuesday evening, when the annual meet
ing OF the Vermont Bar Association was
held. W. p. Stafford of st. Johnsbury
president of the association, was in the
chair. Governor Smith, Senator Ross, and
Representative Grout were given promi-
nent seats, and the space reserved for spec
tators was filled
Ga motion of f. II. Button OF Middlebury
the following were admitted to member
ship in the association: Alfred l.. Sherman,
of Burlington, George b. Young, OF New
port, Robert w. Simonds, OF st. Johnsbury,
d. S. Conant of Bradford, j. B. Donoway,
Of Middlebury, Ira II. LaFleur, of Middle.
bury, G. II. Dale, of Waterbury, and Jacob
Stakeholder, of Arlington.
The feature OF the evening was the logi
cal, eloquent address by President Stat
ford on HAS the Legislature of Vermont
the authority to commute death sentence?'
Mr.. STAFFORD took strong grounds against
the legislature assuming such authority
thereby making a law to fit a particular
case after a CAPT. al crime has been commit
ted. With the acts of the legislature of
1893 as text, whereby the death sentences
of William 9. Buzzell and Mrs. Isabelle
Ma 'sh were committed to imprisonment for
life, Mr.. Stafford eloquently argued that if
the law is right it should be enforced, if not,
let IL be repealed, Convictions for a capital
crime are difficult because jurors are more
humane than the law, as are legislators la
closing Mr.. Stafford urged the adjustment
OF the death penalty in Vermont. The only
criticism thai could be made by the most
captous of his clear cut address was, that
for the sake of his argumen5 he eliminated
from court, legislature or executive the
power OF cOmmutatiOn, which according to
the bill OF rights must rest with some one.
Mr.. StatfOrd's address was very closely,
even eagerly followed, and was heartily APP
plaudei at its close.
Obituary sketches were then read by G.
p. Hogan Of St. Johnsbury on p. X. Gleed
OF Worthwhile, written by G, w. Hendee;
by Col. Willard Harrington of St. Adams
on George Ballard of Fairfax and by ex-
Gov Roswell Farnham OF Bradford on Geo.
A. Dickey.
The annual banquet was servel at the
Pavilion shortly after nine o'clock. An
hour or more was devoted to discussing the
| elaborate menu prepared by Landlord Viles
Grace was said by Rev. A. N Lewis Of
Montpelier.
When cigars were lighted the president
| raped for order. Mr.. Stafford officiated as
| toastmaster, and by his apt introduction of
| each speaker did much to keep the flow
! OF SOUP at its best The flower OF the legal
| profession OF Vermont was gathered around
| the tables and each speaker was loaded
with stories, unreportable from a newspa.
| per standpoint, but which sparkled like
| CudulpdBuo
The tOasts and responses were as follows:
THE Value OF Precedent" o NJ. Barber of
Bennington; "What the Younger Members
of the Bar Think OF the Oder" K. G..
Mower Of Burlington; Municipal Courts :"
M. e. Smile, Montpelier; Intervention, :"
g. M. Wilds Of ST. Adams; "The Clergy,
Rev. A. N. Lewis OF Montpelier; THE Old
or Members of the Bar" Hon. b. #, Fiheld,
Montpelier; "The Late Senator HIT" j.
l., Martin, Brattleboro; Changes that have
taken place in the Progress and Policy of
the State" Gov. &c. @. Smith; The Su-
preme Court" Judge Watson and Chief
Judge Taft.
Ia closing President Staff )rd proposed as
a toast "rhe Twentieth Century for Law
yers."
At a business meeting Of the association.
held this morning in the general committee
room in the court house. the reports OF the