The Van Buren press., 1902-06-07
state Bar Asso clation.

At the annual meeting Of the State
Bar Association held in Little Rock
last week the following legislation was
recommended to the legislature:
in the last two meetings OF this
association various plans have been
brought forward by able and distin'
guished lawyers for the relief Of the
supreme court. 1t is quite evident
that II Is the earnest desire OF this
association and Of the bar Of the state,
that the accumulated business OF the
supreme court be disposed OF so that
appeals may be determined shortly
after filing therein. Our own views,
strengthened by the prior discussions
in this association are that the RELIEF
Of the court must come from the court
itself, and not In the curtailment OF
appeals or the creation Of additional
judges or courts.
Taking 1t as the consensus OF opin'
ion that the court itself must furnish
the relief, and believing that such is
the only practicable plan, we recon-
mend:
Il. To the legislature that 1t fur.
nish to the court such number OF
stenographers and clerks as may be
necessary TO relieve the judges from
all clerical work in the preparation of
opinions.
20. To the court, that II exercise
the discretion vested In 1t by section
1862 Sandels Hill's Digest, author
izing the court to award 10 per cent
damages on the affirmance of all judg-
ments where the appeal is taken for
delay.
I'VE think that where II is evident
to the court from an inspection OF the
record that the appeal has been pros.
ecuted for delay that the 10 per cent
should be added, whether the case has
been treated as a delay case or not,
and that such course will relieve the
court of many vexatious appeals.
I'VE recommend to the legislature
that 1t either establish an additional
insane asylum or increase the capacity
Of the present one. 1t is the first
duty, and 1t is the pleasure, OF our
people to care for those unfortunates
who are bereft Of their reason, and we
regard II as a reproach to our state
that many Of such people have to be
confined In the county jails, instead Of
being properly and tenderly cared for
In hospitals erected for that purpose.
I'VE recommend to the legislature
the establishment Of reform school,
where Juvenile criminals may be con-
fined, and while undergoing confine-
ment Dor crime. be trained to be edu.
Gated workman and useful citizens.
I'VE recommend to the legislature
the submission to the people OF con.
stitutional amendment vestlng the par.
doning power in commission, IRE.
movable during their term OF ONCE,
except for cause; that 1t shall be the
duty OF such commission to investi.
gate all applications for pardon and
TO obtain, so far as practicable, all |
facts in regard to the crime and the
reason why clemency should be exer.
cised."
The following resolution was also
adpotcd:
Resolved, II is unprofesoional for
any member OF the bar to accept or
receive any compensation for his ser.
vices or use Of his influence In procur'
ing or defeating legislation, either
state or municipal, and this whether
II be for making an argument before
a committee or otherwise; and no at.
torney for corporation receiving a
salary should ever undertake to infu.
ence legislation In behalf Of such cor
poration."
Oficers elected for the ensuing year
we're: President George b. Rose, OF
Little Rock; vice president, J. C. Haw.
thorne, Of Jonesboro; Secretary, II. II.
Of Little Rock; Treasurer,
George L. Dodge, Little Rock.