The Savannah morning news., 1902-07-05
LAWYERS IN A TILT
BURTON SMITH AND AL LAwTON IN
HOT CONTROVERSY.
CAUSED MUCH EXCITEMENT.
nut ALL ENDED PEACEFULLY AT
WARM SPRINGS.

Election of officers Taken Up Rather
UneNpectedIy-COI. II. w. MeIdrim
Defeated for President by Burton
Smith After Very Lively Discus
sion Which Ended in the Smith
Lawton Tilt-Col. McIdrim Made
First Vice President and Col. Law
ton Chairman of Executive Com
mittee.
Warm Springs. Ga, July A heated
fight over the presidency of the Geor-
gia Bar Association and a sensational
episode, in which Burton Smith of At
lanta, and A. r. Lawton of Savannah
figured as principals, enlivened and
rendered highly interesting this after
Moons proceedings of that body. The
two attorneys engaged in a lively col
loquy and for the space of few sec
ords serious trouble appeared immi-
nent. Mr.. Smith had advanced from
his seat to within a few feet of Col.
Lawton and scene of suppressed ex-
element ensued, as the spectators mo-
mentarily expected clash.
The disturbance was caused by re-
mark of Col. Lawton's that he under
stood there was only one candidate for
the presidency, which was misunder-
stood by the Albanian. The affair was
finally adjusted satisfactorily
The election followed this incident
and resulted in a victory for Mr. Smith.
who defeated Col. p w. Meldrim of
Savannah. Col. Meldrim was put up
by the opposition and received its unan-
imous backing. The friends of the At
lanta attorney are elated over his cleo
ton. Feeling was manifested in the
| contest, several strong speeches were
made and the climax came with the
| Smith-Lawton tilt.
The fact that the election occurred
this afternoon was a surprise, as 1t
was scheduled for tomorrow Judge
Marcus Beck offered a resolution that
| the nomination of officers be taken from
the Nominating Committee, and the
association make the nomination. A
debate then followed, in which vigorous
| language was used, the resolution final
! ly prevailed. Col. Lawton spoke or
the resolution and made the statement
! above mentioned.
did 1 understand you to say / am
a candidate for the place and have So
licited votes?" asked Mr.. Smith, as he
rose and approached close to the
speaker.
Il have been informed there was on
| ly one candidate" was the response.
well, you have been misinformed, .
was the rejoinder.
Mr.. Lawton said he was glad to
know he was misinformed. Mr.. Smith
asked another question:
What does the gentleman mean by
| questioning me in this matter?" re-
| torted Col Lawton, angrily II don't
intend to submit to it. 1 will not he
threatened"
Mr.. Smith explained that he made
no threats and the matter ended, al
though the scene created was breezy.
The following list of officers elected.
President, Burton Smith; first vice
president, P. w, Meldrim; second vice
president, A. 3. Persons; third vice
PlSSidcHl, w. W. DdcOns IOuTLn wee
president, William Toomer; fifth vice
president. w. X. Miller; secretary, o.
A. Park treasurer, q. d. Harrison;
Executive Committee, A r. Lawton,
chairman; T. A. Hammond, Floyd
Cleveland, j. r. Burnside.
The Supreme COurs Overworked.
One of the features of to-day's SEES
sion of the barristers was the address
of Justice Andrew Cobb of the Su-
preme Court. showing the heavy work
which was being done by the court.
The paper was heard with great inter
est by the attorneys. Judge Pope Bar
row of Savannah also spoke of the
crowded condition of the court and
pleaded for relief. Judge Nottingham
also addressed the association The as
ISOLATION will take steps to secure relief
for the court at the coming session of
the Legislature.
The report of the committee on legal
education recommending that all grad
yates of law schools be required to APP
pear before the state examining board
before being granted a license to prac-
tice was unanimously adopted and the
Legislature will be requested to pass
a law to this effect. Judge Horace Lur-
ton of Nashville, Tenn, delivered the
annual address to the association to-
night.
~-es
THE FOURTH IN MEXICO.