Omaha daily bee., 1900-02-04

rLY BEE: SUNDAY. IF
lead 70 ruinous sacrifice. a man nav have
q perfectly just and honest claim. but rather
than wait FIVE years to recover his dues be
will compromise for une-half the amount
he is entitled 10. This Is especially true OF
a poor litigant who cannot afford to wait.
Oners n Remedy.
What then is the remedy In ny judy
ment 10 increase the number OF judges may
help. but will not solve the difficulty. As ]
have stated the court with six Judges was
further behind at the end OF six years than
when the commissioners were appointed. and
all the Judges we're overworked. II is there
for manifest that under the present situa-
ton little outside aid can be given the court
The remedy. in my opinion. does not lie
with the legislature, but with the court it,
self. II it will cease 10 write opinions. ex-
cept in cases Of great importance. or upon
new questions arising the difficulty will be
helped out immeasurahly.
Each judge Of the supreme court now
writes about 100 opinions each year. !
should judge that one-third Of the court
time is occupied in preparing the material
for and writing and revising the opinions.
II the court were only required to hear the
arguments OF counsel. examine the records
and briefs, and investigate cases cited. and
then decide the case Immediately. deliver
ing an oral opinion, they could dispose Of
twice as many cases as they now do"
Additional remedies suggested by the
speaker we're as follows:
First-Tbe supreme court should write
fewer opinions.
econd-lncrease the commencement fees
or deposit for advance costs 10 SIS.
T~hird-Print the record.
Judge Baker Tells n story.
Following Mr.. Thunderstorm speech. which
was lengthy. several short talks were made.
Judge Baker Of the district court spoke in
happy vein, talking shop" in an interesting
manner. He begun his informal speech with
a story Of how Charles J. Greene, the toast
master, once stole manuscript.
We sat side by side at a Commercial club
banquet, said Judge Baker, and my manu-
script was alongside of the manuscript which
Mr.. Greene had prepared. He was ahead OF
me on the program and he took my notes
and delivered a speech from them. ! had no
objection. because ! figured on taking his
notes for my speech. but ! subsequently dis
covered that / could not read his writing, so
l did not profit by the exchange"
This good-bumored sally brought ~vocifer-
Gus applause. and the POSTMASTER did not file
a cross bill. Continuing. Judge Baker spoke
Of the bar and its work, making in the ag-
gregate a speech which was well received.
"Coram Non JUDGE" was the subject Of a
brief address by T. J. Mahoney. Mir. Ma
honey said he selected that subject because
OF the latitude il would afford him. Il in
tend this phrase to be interpreted literally"
said the speaker. and 10 cover everything
not transporting in open court. 1t applies
both TO the lawyer and the judge. The
practice Of some lawyers in peddling their
cases to the judge out of court is most repre-
hensible. Judges are only human and many
lawyers are not much better. Hence, il
sometimes happens that a lawyer, realizing
the weakness of the merits of his case, con-
ceives the idea that there may be some side
issues. He therefore takes pains 10 have this
side issue brought TO the attention Of the
judge. Lawyers should should be above
such practice, and it is to be hoped that
the judges may be superior TO the tempta-
ton
The menu was elaborate, comprising
everything from cocktails, Roman punch and
champagne to tendsrloin beef, bordelaise
and broiled jacksnipe on toast, au cresson,
with ice cream. coffee and cigars for a
WE. Gurley delivered an humorous speech
on the subject, Why Are We Here Paul
talked about THE Ladies'" Ar
thur Wakeley and others made impromptu
remarks in happy vein, bringing forth ap-
plause. The speechmaking closed with an
offhand address by the toastmaster.
He said it is a glorious privilege TO live in
a country like this, and spoke at length Of
the supremacy Of the republic. II was a
characteristic Charley Greene speech.
Members of the bar say that credit for the
success OF the banquet is due largely TO
the committee in charge, which was com
posed of E. ". Simeral, Francis A. Brogan
and William r. Morris.
The officers of the Bar association are
as follows: James H. Mcintosh, president;
c. Wakeley, vice president; o. P. NJ.
Brown, secretary; Thomas F. Lee. treasurer;
executive council, Arthur c. Wakeley, Ed
NJ. Bartlett. John ". Parish, James
Sheehan, Carl c. Wright.
II was midnight when the banquet ended.
The Omaha Bar association is becoming more
firmly organized year by year. New mem
bers are seeking admittance and the asso-
citation is made up Of representative lawyers.