New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-06
WESTMINSTER BAR DIMES.
SPEECHES BY SENATOR DEPEW, EA-
SPEAKER REED AND OTHERS.

Nearly two hundred members OF the Westminster
Bar Association attended last night the fourth an
nual dinner of the association, at the Murray Hill
Hotel, and listened to speeches by ex-Speaker
Thomas B. Reed, Senator Depew, Justice Hatch
OF the Appellate Division; Justice keogh. OF the
Supreme Court; Simeon Ford, Joseph Wood,
president of the Board of Education Of Mount
Vernon, and others. The feast was presided over
by Mr. Wood The menu card contained a por-
trait and sketch OF the late owen T. Coffin for
twenty-four years Surrogate OF Westchester
County.
MI Wood said that the dinners of the associa-
ton had been made successful in the past largely
account OF the presence of the judges Of the
Ist and lid districts. They had become such a
feature OF each successive gathering that the din
uers lately had become known as the Westchester
County Annual Bench Show
Justice Hatch responded to the toast. The Ju-
dietary" and spoke in complimentary terms OF the
personnel of the Bar Association. He said it was
the Robertson creed in Westchester County poll
tics his observation, to get all the offices for
your friends and keep out all your enemies, This
creed was being followed, he said. by the sons OF
the elders.
Senator Depew entered the room in the course
of the recitation of The Chariot Race by Mr.
Throckmorton. The Senator enthusiastically
cheered and escorted to the guest table by Messrs.
Travis and Apgar.
Simeon Ford, OF the Grand Union Hotel re-
sponded to the toast The Bar Of New-York," with
the emphasis the The" He said in part:
Fellow members Of the Bar: am glad the chair
man explained who 1 am I was afraid you might
take me for a 1udge-a stigma under which
should not be able to rest U4aughter) I am here
Pnkham daughter and cries of You poor
has been MY experience thar wherever westminster
County LAWYERS corgTesate mere IS aiw g plenty
met the members of the Westminster County
Bar d G boc g a ye et tne rang
as it may seem to you gentlemen here tonight
you SOleunly, m trying TO LEAD an honest Ire
Great iaughter)
Continuing, the speaker said:
When I was admitted 70 the bar two questions
were asked me, both Of which answered incor,
in remen1 boring my first case as it was also my
last-was that of Scully against the canal boat
Hottentot.
Here followed thrilling" narrative of how two
canal mules had been dragged canal boat
two boats were trying to pass each other The
mules under the boat four hours, Mr.. Ford
said and when they were examined it was dlscov-
cred that the spark OF life extinct.
1T sad case he added, land l was deeply
touched, but my client was not so very deeply
touched I got only SIS out of him. My case
before Judge Blatchford, and you know what
a mild hammered he He was greatly
moved by my plea. In fact, he got down off the
bench and got after quickly that l was soon
in the cellar Of my home in Brooklyn waiting for
my client get out of town. That case disguised
me with the law. and 1 said: What's the use of
brilliant men as Joe" Choate. Tom Reed and
ABE" Hummel out of i1-men with large families
70 support" BY this hasty action gentlemen. the
bar was deprived Of Of its brightest jewels"
daughter and applause)
Ex-Speaker Reed, who received most cordial
reception, said in part
Like Judge Hatch. I really do not how
shall be able to contribute anything 10 the enter
tainment here tonight l was informed that the
Westminster Bar Association buCOlic tDStltu-
ton, that had wandered down TO this city from
the farms of that section, and that when l came
here I should the cream of the country popu-
lation. When I looked around and saw Senator
Depew and Mr. Henderson l that I had
been msinformed. This world always goes by
contraries. You get the things you
want, and you never can refuse the things you
don't want
Nj Reed said that he had got into the habit OF
declining invitations TO speak, and he considered
it providential that Senator Depew was on hand to
take his place. II Mr. Depew did not have oppor-
tunities enough he welcome some his
(Mr. Reed 81 chances.
Senator Depew told a new story OF Thaddeus
Stevens that greatly tickled the diners and then
said that his grandfather had been admitted
10 the bar in Westminster County in 1910 while his
uncle had practised the profession till he (Senator
Depew) had been admitted, in 1855 He thus had
had a connection with the Westchester bar for
ninety years.
IF live ten years longer" he added, II shall
invite you all 10 to centennial, and I'll
give you the greatest time you ever had" APP
plause long and hearty greeted the speakers re-
marks
Senator Depew followed by Justice Keogh
and others
memorial TO the late Surrogate Coffin