The Savannah morning news., 1901-01-21
JOHN MARSHALL DAY
SAVANNAH LAWYERS HAVE NOT
ARRANGED TO OBSERVE 1T.
FALLS ON FEBRUARY FOURTH.
MARKS CENTENNIAL OF MAR
SHALL's ACCESSION TO ST.
PREME BENCH.

The Bar Association of Most Ameri-
can Cities of Size and Consequence
Will Observe the Day With Fitting
CeremOnial-Sav Behind the
Procession in Doing Honor 10 the
Father of American Jurisprud-
ence-Lawyers Favor Observing
Day, but No Concerted Action Has
Been Taken.
Savannah lawyers have done nothing
as yet to prepare for the observance of
John Marshalrs day, Feb. 4, observance
of which is to be general among the legal
fraternity throughout the country, other
than to discuss the matter, with mild
interest, among themselves.
Feb. marks the centennial anniver-
sary of the day when John Marshall as
sumed his seat upon the bench of the
Supreme Court of the United States,
seat which he filled for so many years
with so much dignity and credit, with so
much honor to himself and profit to the
nation.
The bar association of almost every
city of size and consequence in the coun-
try has been aroused to realization of
the Importance of Feb. 4, 1901, in the
history of American Jurisprudence, and
of the propriety of the celebration of
that days centennial anniversary by
American lawyers. In many cities the
ceremonies will be on an impressive and
elaborate scale.
The modern method and standard of in
i, ,4x.l lou ~
the land date from the accession of Chief
Justice Marshall to the bench of the Su-
preme Court. During the entire time that
ne was a member of the court his was
the decisive voice in the decision of con-
stitutional questions and most of the
opinions on these points were delivered
by him in person.
These opinions are still the highest au-
thoritY ana they are to-day as fine eX-
aiDples of clear and cogent reasoning,
wide learning il the law and the human
tiles and mastery command of the IAN
guage a. are to be found in the Jaw books
either Of the United States or the mother
country.
Some Of the lawyers are anxious that
this ciLy should not be behind her sis
lers in doing honor to the memory of
John Marshall and paying tribute 10 his
great end distinguished services to his
ccui4try and its system of law. 1t is pos
sible that a meeting win yet be called
and programme for the observance of
the day outlined.
This may either be elaborate or on a
very simple scale indeed. Possibly the
courts win adjourn and some member of
the bar or visitor be invited 10 deliver
an address upon the subject of the chief
justice and his public services.
In Charleston there is to be an es-
pecially notable celebration of the day
and distinguished men are to address the
members of the bar and the public of tina t
city. In Chicago the celebration is to
take the form of a banquet given by the
bar association and the sentiments ex-
pressed in the toasts will be made to
harmonic with the occasion and the man
whose fame it is designed to honor. Judge
Emory Speer was invited to respond to
one of these toasts, but felt compelled to
decline the invitation because the United
States courts will still be in session here
on February 4. From other cities in the
country come accounts of the manner
in which John Marshall's Day will be
observed.