The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-08-01

that had been prepared and read before
the association during the Intervening
period could be collected much would be
found to improve and instruct the profess
sion. Mr.. Stubs remarked that he was
CAD that the association had met there
instead of Austin, as had been suggested.
lie referred pathetlcally to the fearful
havoc that had been caused by the storm
ana concluded his address by saying;
Know you. you are In the house of your
friends; enter and be OF good cheer"
Hon. j. f. Onion of San antonio re
spcnded to the address of welcome on
behalf of the association. He refereed
to the fact that no had been approached 20
exert his influence in favor OF changing the
meeting point OF the association to Austin,
ard he said that his reply was: 'tn the
darkest hour of university the footsteps of
friends sound the most pleasant. " Mr..
Onion then referred to the magnitude OF
the calamity Of the storm of last Septem.
her and compliinentcd the city on the re-
nlarkabe progress that had been made
since that time.
The report of the board of directors was
next read to the assembly, aud IN Il the
recommendation was made that hereafter
the association should hold Its annual meet
ings every first Wednesday Instead of the
last Wednesday, IN July.
II was also recommended that the annual
banQret be not given this year
The report recommended the election Of
the following new members, who had made
application for membership; George u.
Coll, Il. NJ, Franklin, D. ID. Mcdonald,
=. A. Drouthlt.. Galveston; r. G., Dun.
The report was received and adopted.
The election of a board of directors was
postponed Sntii tomorrow.
The Nports Of the secretary and treas
urer were next submitted The secretarys
report showed the following: Dues re
celyed from 205 members, at $50 per
new members, Sj7 30; back dues, prior to
1900, $T2 80; total receipts this year,
S642 so. Disbursements for tho. year; Elk
nineteenth annual session. 500 90. postage
on proceedings, receipts and notices. SID;
stationary, $50: bar association pro rata
of banquet $l77 50i secretary's salary,
$40; total $3.50. 10.
The trtasurer's report showed the snnne
receipts and Disbursements ~ that OF the
secretary and q balance on hand ef Sll53l.
President Spapnts then delivered his nm
nual uddress 6p9 discussed the general
laws. passed, by tbs asi session Of the
dent pointed out there WIS not Single
law which was demanded By public seuti-
ment az the mecting Of the last legislature,
hence the greatest attention was paid by
that body to local bills. OF this character
there were $50 pissed, and he was of the
opinion that many Of them We're inspired
by the lncessunt buzz of a congressional
bee. He said as n rule the last legislature
did little to criticize and much 10 com
mend. He applauded 1t for turning down
the platform demand for the Hogg amend
ments, and said under the head ~ general
laws the legislature passed one TO regu
late the practice % medicine, one amend
which while condemging the habit confined
the practice thereof to private homes.
Mr. Spoonts said he did not feel qualified
to discuss The libel law passed for tle rca-
son the courts have not yet placed cou-
struction upon IT, but from reading the
law he was OF the opinion there are still
many heavy breakers ahead for the news
paper people. He did not think the law
just and fnir one. MIR. Spoonis said the
war Of the roses was never circumstance
70 the Johnson grass war that is now being
he severely criticized the law pissed max
Ing railroad company responsible for al
lowing johnson grass to grow along Its
Cir. spoonts spoke cf the parsImony ex-
hiblted hy the legislature when dealing
with, Galveston in 4 way that drew tears
He excoriated those members of The leg
islaturc that voted against the bill donat
said he would not have such an odium at
this world.
lie anishnd his address with a treatise
dealing with the Philippine situation that
drew considerable applause from the dem
ocratlc members OF the association. lt
was as follows:
~ VIII be remembered that In the an
nua' address e the last preceding president
Of this association, much time was de-
voted 20 the discussion Of an act Of the
Fifty-siNth congress providing for ciVu
government and revenue system for some
OF cur recently acquired sea bound terri
tory Since that address was delivered the
Quilted States supreme court has passed
lnal Judgment upon the questions Involved
These questions were not decided as many
of us hoped they would be, and the very
fact that they were not so decided places
RrNer responsibilities upon tn congress
OF the United States. Hitherto the consttu-
tioI was supposed to be supreme over all OF
our territory. That wherever waved the
mighty flag OF our great country. those who
stood beneath It's shadow had planted their
fee; firmly upon the rock OF the c0nstltu-
ton. These traditions and4 convictions Of
the past are not now the leav Of the land.
Since this great court has Spoken the IN
ture Is no longer In doubt, and the unrs-
strcted power Of congress 20 legislate for
our new territory without regard 10 the
demands OF the constitution has opened
new seas In which our ship Of state viii
ind many sunken rocks. The power u
congress to extend the constitution OYER
these new possessions is conceded. but
until that Is done the legislative will Is
supreme. This change In our organic law
though by judicial construction IS more
noteworthy than any that has taken place
laid Al the dawn Of the last century
constitutional government was an exlerl-
ment, but for lnore than one hundred years
each citizen OF this country has fully b.
lieyed that his rights under the eonstftu-
tion were guaranteed and protected. That
the very genius or free government were
its constitutional safeguards which boldly
proclaimed TO the legislative power, thus
Far and no farther The press reports that
this decision Of the supreme court was
greeted with much rejoicing In certain
official quarters OF the country. For the
honor Of American mnnhood hope that
this Is not true. How can any citizen OF
the great Republic. whose rights are safe
guarded under the constitution, Delight il
hnding that others who owe allegiance q
that republic are not protected by the same
organic compnrtf Can this condition ~.
main and the government continue as the
home. thc abiding place, Of constitutional
freedom and Projected liberty II con
pendent OF the constitution. she can cstab
liKh for them q state religion maintain q
priesthood At public expenses authorize