Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-07
BURTON SMITH IS
ELECTED PRESIDENT
MADE PRESIDENT or GEORGIA
BAR ASSOCIATION AFTER A
VERY LIVELY TILT.

WARM SPRINGS. Ga.,gJuly 5.-Scenes
the like of which have never been wit
messed before at any session OF the Geor-
gia Bar association were enacted here
yesterday afternoon over the election Of
a president. Burton Smith. of Atlanta,
In the election defeated p. w. Meldrfm.
OF Savannah. BY a majority OF votes Mr..
Smith getting IS and Nr. Meldrim 4s. ,
The -trouble. which came sonear result
ing In a personal difnculty between A. r.
Lawton. OF Savannah. and Burton Smith
arose over a change in the method OF
electing officers. Heretofore the presi-
dent has always appointed a committee
OF FIVE members. known as the nominat-
ing committee. which presented the names
OF various members for the different Of
fees. These members were always elect
ed without opposition. 1 .--f-
For the past two years the first vice.
presidents OF the association have been
elected to the presidency. This year Bur-
ton Smith, OF Atlanta, was first vice-pres-
tdent, and II was generally thought he
would be given the next presidency with
out opposition. But when the lawyers
gathered here Thursday there was some
opposition 20 his name. and when the
Nominating committee was appointed yes
terday by President Battle. some Of the
friends OF Mr.. Smith who desired to see
him elected moved that the election be
had by the. association as whole just
for a change.
Mr.. Toomer OF waycross, inquired II II
was not a precedent OF the association
that the first vice president should be
elected president.
Mr.. Hammond replied that II had occur
red only four times in nineteen years. and
that II should never be done and that such
-. -. anf a NlFahaH
Colonel A. R..-Lawton,- Of Savannah,
spoke next. He said: -.-s
1T seems to me that we might as well
discuss this question plainly. There Is
no use Disgusting matters. think every
one viii admit that there is but one can
didate for the ONCE"
Burton Smith, of Atlanta, interrupted
Colonel Lawton and said: 49,: 50. t-.,
do you mean that I,have been solicit
ing votes7'' -fr- 49,. se0s-s..e -st., Fl.
Colonel Lawton replied: 90.
II was under that impression" ~
Mr.. Smith continued to advance toward
Lawton and said: y...... r.
You are mistaken. have never solic-
tied or requested a vote. / have never
spoken 10 any one about voting for me.
aud have never asked a vote
Colonel Layton4 replied: ,.,..-. : -. ?.
lam glad to learn that is true I have
no personal knowledge on the subject.
understood that you were. seeking the
Office" 5stt
''Did you say that I was a candidate and
had been soliciting votes7" asked Mr..
Smith.
"What do you mean. by asking me such
questions?" replied Colonel Dawton you
heard what l said. l win not submit TO
this" ~ -t..,..
Both men began TO talk at once at this
juncture and TO gesticulate. Colonel Law
ton said:
81 don't intend to be bulldozed."
Mr. Smith disclaimed any such iinten-
ton. The whole convention arose, as II
expecting a difficulty. :f
Mr.. Smith requested permission to ask
a question of Colonel Lawton, who re-
that was justified by anything that he had
said. lr 49, e,r
''But 1 will submit TO no threats" he ex-
claimed. se, ts.
Mr.. Smith said he desired TO ask ques-
ton. and II was not his purpose to make
any threats. He then asked TO have the
record read in order that he might hear
Colonel Lawton's language. Mr.. Smith
then stated he had spoken 10 a man in
whom he had the highest confidence and
had been assured that the language Of
Colonel Lawton was not Objectionable
and he would withdraw his request about
having the record read.
OoAonei AsdWNoh CoGlllhueu 10 DISCUSS lne
resolution. opposing its adoption.
John w. Aiken, of Gainesville. spoke
after Mr.. Brandon. favoring the resolution
Of Judge Beck. u. ". Whipple of Cordele
called FOR the previous question. 1t was
held that Mr.. Hammond's substitute was
the previous question. II was Put and
lost Judge Beck's resolution was then
adopted.
Hon. p. W. Meldrim, OF Savannah. was
then nominated for president by T. A.
Hammond. OF Atlanta. Tom Fielder. Of
Atlanta. nominated Burton Smith. Wash
ington Dessau moved that w. d. Ellis and
T A. Hammond be appointed tellers and
the motion was carried.
A short recess was taken in order to
allow some members to pay their dues
the point having been raised that MEM
bers in arrears should not be allowed to
vote. Then the vote was taken and when
the count was announced out of 81 votes
cast Burton Smith received IS votes and
p. w. Meldrim l3. Mr. Smith was declar-
ed elected. Mr.. Meldrim was then nomin-
alter for first vice president and was unan-
imously elected. -
ppfTl~u N0TT0n TDRnE