The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-12-09
SPEER IS
PRESIDENT
Elected by the Bar Assooia-
ton Over James Gordon
by a Majority Of
Three.
LAW YERs STIRRED UP
Election Was Preceded by
an Animated Contest over
the Election of New
Members.

Counselor William n. Speer was this
morning elected president of the Hudson
County Bar Association over Counselor
James A. Gordon by a majority of three
votes after one of the most exciting meet
ings ever held by the organization. The
vote for president as announced at the
conclusion of the contest was Speer SO,
Gordon Sc.
The other officers, all of whom We're
elected without opposition, are:-John
Griffin, vice president: George w.
Flaacke, secretary; and Randolph Perk-
ms, treasurer.
Inside the rallied enclosure of the Com
mon Pleas Court room was crowded with
lawyers from every section of the county
and many of the outside seats were oc-
cupied when, few minutes after ten
O'clock the president, Colonel Charles We.
Fuller, called the association to order,
and when quiet was finally restored
Secretary Howard Griffiths called the
roll and III members responded to their
names. Several arrived later.
The fight for Gordon for president was
led by Counselors Charles G. Black,
Charles Hartshorne and e. A. S. Lewis,
while ex-senator Edwards and Judge
Hudspeth and Counselor Warren Dixon
marshalled the Speer forces.
The preliminary tactics indicated a
prolonged session, but the appearance of
Justice Collins and Judges Blair and
Neyius in the doorway leading to the
chambers and the reminder of the first
named that the court was awaiting for
the call Of the calendar, fastened matters
somewhat, and motions, amendments,
.ete., which would have delayed the pro-
ceedings were withdrawn and the busi-
ness of the session facilitated.
TROUBLE BEGINS.
After the roll had been called, Coun-
selor Black arose and asked that the
President order stricken from the list the
names of Lawyers Peter James, Myron
G. Ernst, John J. Treacy, julius Lichen-
stein, H. J. Caffereta, Charles h Blohm,
L. J. Hobbs, Albert Leuly, Richard
Bentley and Peter Bentley He stated
/ that his reasons for making the request
that the gentlemen named had been pro
posed year ago, but had never been
balloted for as required by the constitu-
tion of the association, and that the
minutes showed that there had been no
regular meeting held since the proposit-
ions for membership referred to were re-
ceiyed
President Fuller ruled that he had
no authority to order any names stricken
| from the roll. and Lawyer Holmes then
moved that the regular order of business
be suspended to receive the report of
the membership committee.
Secretary Grifiths read the rep rt,
which included recommendation for
election of the members objected to by
Lawyer Black, and the latter then moved
that the names mentioned be stricken
from the report.
Lawyer Holmes amended that the re-
/ port be accepted, and Lawyer Warren
I Dixon asked for unanimous consent to
add the name of Lawyer w. S. Baker
to the list. ME. Black asked that J.
i Emil Walscheid's name be also added
| and President Fuller asked if Mr.. Wal
/ schied had been balloted for at a regular
meeting. He received an affirmative re-
i ply and the names of both members
were ordered added to the roll.
/ TRIES TO STRAIGHTEN THINGS
OUT.
Ex-Judge Herbert Potts, to straighten
out the tangle in the membership ques-
! ton then moved that the report Of the
committee with the added names be ac-
cepted.
Mr.. Hartshorn requested that the per-
sons whose names were objected to be
not allowed to vote on the question of
/ the acceptance or rejection Of the COM
nittee's report.
sTheir names are on the roll" remark
ed the president.
.sTo facilitate business, will with
draw my motion and instead offer an
amendment to Judge Potts's motion,
said Lawyer Black.
Lawyer Hartshorn, in seconding Mr..
/ Blacks amendment that the names OBJ
jected to be stricken from the member
] ship roll, said that serious question was
| involve,l 1t was whether persons could
be admitted to the association without
election and against theaprotests of mem
/ bers. 1T is said this has been done in
| the past continued Mr.. Hartshorn. but
| j doubt it. II the resolution adopted at
the meeting of November 20 last is sane
toned it admits to membership persons
already rejected and those never bal
lotted for
Lawyer Dixon said that one Of those
objected to had voted before and had
paid his dues. He referred 10 Myron G.
Ernst.
Il have voted but never paid ny
mitch iaisghter
u luoye thai We make him al honor